To 160 th Ave Church of Christ S.R.: 2 Tim. 2:15

Mormonism: Is this from God? Or should we Defend Against it?

A Root/Core Argument: Progressive Revelation Contradictions with the Bible Joseph Smith A false prophet A lack of historical/archaeological evidence Changes in the Book of Mormon Progressive Revelation

Progressive Revelation: John 14:26 – “teach you all things” 2 Peter 1:3 – “All things that pertain to life and godliness” 2 Tim. 3:15-7 – “equipped for every good work” James 1:21 – “implanted word which is able to save your souls” Jude 3 – “Once for all handed down to the saints” 1 Cor. 13:8 – Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease

A Root/Core Argument: Progressive Revelation Contradictions with the Bible Joseph Smith A false prophet A lack of historical/archaeological evidence Changes in the Book of Mormon Progressive Revelation

Doctrines and Covenants 71:7-8: “Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest. Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.”

Joseph Smith as a Prophet The test of prophets: Duet. 18:20-22 – Prophecy comes true= true prophet – Prophecy does not come true= false prophet

Unfulfilled Prophecies: In D & C 52:22 two men, Thomas B. Marsh and Ezra Thayre, are instructed to preach. The prophecy is dated June 7, Yet, in D & C 56:5 the commandment is “revoked” only a few days later! Is this the mind of God or the work of Man?

Unfulfilled Prophecies: A Missionary Trip for David W. Patten. – D & C 114:1; a trip to be made the following spring. (revelation given April 17, 1838 – D & C Student manual 114: “The Twelve were to leave Far West on 26 April 1839 for England. However, Elder David W. Patten was killed in the battle of Crooked River on 25 October 1838 (see D&C 118; History of the Church, 3:170–71, 336–39)” – What a contrast to instruction given to Paul: Acts 18:9; Acts 23:11

Unfulfilled Prophecies A Temple Lot in Independence, MO (Doctrines and Covenants 84:2-5)

D & C 84:2-5 Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

D & C 84:2-5 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

Unfulfilled Prophecies A Temple Lot in Independence, MO (Doctrines and Covenants 84:2-5) This was never accomplished!!! – “this generation” – Joseph Smith planned to dedicate the temple

Unfulfilled Prophecies Excused from the task??? – Some Mormons have claimed that God excused Joseph Smith from building the temple due to great persecution that was breaking out against Mormons (see D & C 124:49) – “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” D & C 1:38. – “The works and the designs and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught… Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men.” D & C 3:1,3.

Contradictions and Differences Galatians 1:6-9 1 Tim. 6:2-5 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

The Book of Mormon: Contradictions against the Bible 1 Nephi 7:22 and 2 Nephi 5:26 has non-Levites serving as priests and sacrificing unto God in B.C. Numbers 16:1-35 specifically forbids this. Alma 7:10 has Jesus born in Jerusalem, while Matthew 2:1 says He was born in Bethlehem. Alma 46:15 says the name Christian was taken in 73 B.C., but the Bible says, “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26), some 100 years later!

The Book of Mormon: Contradictions against the Bible Helamon 14:20, 27 claims that darkness would cover the face of the whole earth for three days when Christ died. However, Matthew 27:45 shows that the darkness lasted only three hours. Doctrines and Covenants 77:12 says man was created on the seventh day. The Bible says God made man on the sixth day (Genesis 1:27, 31).

Doctrinal Differences: D & C 132: And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity;

Doctrinal Differences D & C 132:19-21 and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

Doctrinal Differences D & C 132: And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else. 62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

Doctrinal Differences D & C 132: But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.

Contradictory Doctrine: D&C Teachings D & C 132 – Acceptance of Polygamy – Eternal Marriage – Levels of Heaven – Becoming as gods – Priesthood

Doctrinal Differences Articles of Faith It is a concise listing of thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues[,] &c [and so forth]. – 1 Cor. 13:8 8. We believe the [B]ible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. – Gal. 1: We believe all that God has revealed, all that [H]e does now reveal, and we believe that [H]e will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the [K]ingdom of God. – Eph. 1:9

Doctrinal Differences Articles of Faith 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes[;] [t]hat Zion [(the New Jerusalem)] will be built upon this1 [the]1 [American]2 continent[;] [t]hat Christ will reign personally upon the earth[;] and[,] that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiac[al] glory. – John 18: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our [own]1 conscience, and allow all men the same privilege[,] let them worship how, where, or what they may. – 1 Tim. 4:1-2

Changes in the Book of Mormon A quote by Joseph Smith – “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, 4:461.)

Changes in the Book of Mormon: “In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,913 changes made in the Book of Mormon from the time it was first published in 1830.” – In the first edition, page 87, this statement appears: "... the mean man boweth down..." – In the 1964 edition (2 Nephi 12:9) this has been changed to read: "... the mean man boweth not down... " They will argue changes made to the Bible and its translations and continued publications. – Not and apples to apples argument. – The translations of the Bible we have today are composed of thousands and manuscripts that are used to compare and derive a complete and accuruate account which is then translated by scholars. – The Book of Mormon is claimed to have been perfectly been translated by one man who then was able to use the printing press to make copies of what was claimed “the most accurate book…”

No Historical/Archaeological Evidence: The National Geographic Society, in a 1998 letter to the Institute for Religious Research, stated "Archaeologists and other scholars have long probed the hemisphere's past and the society does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the Book of Mormon.“ – "National Geographic Society Statement on the Book of Mormon". August 12, Letter from Julie Crain addressed to Luke Wilson of the Institute for Religious Research.

No Historical Evidence: Old World Species: – Horses – Elephants – Domesticated Cattle and Cows – Goats – Swine Artifacts: – Chariots and Wheeled vehicles – Iron and Steel – “rusted” metal Swords

No Historical Evidence Barley and Wheat – "Barley" is mentioned three times in the Book of Mormon narrative dating to the 1st and 2nd century BC. "Wheat" is mentioned once in the Book of Mormon narrative dating to the same time period. The introduction of domesticated modern barley and wheat to the New World was made by Europeans after 1492, many centuries after the time in which the Book of Mormon is set. Silk – The Book of Mormon mentions the use of silk six times. "Silk" is commonly understood to mean the material that is created from the cocoon of the Asian moth Bombyx mori.

An Appeal to Prayer: Emotional Appeals Greg Trimble “So you think the book of Mormon is a fraud” – “And the most important question to ask yourself is ‘How do I feel while I read the Book of Mormon?’” – “Over and over again in the Old and New Testament we’re told that we can trust that “still small voice” to guide us in our decisions. (1 Kings 19:12)” People who want to believe in something are able: – Miracles/speaking in tongues – Visions from God – Ghosts – Sasquatch – Aliens

An Appeal to Prayer: Emotional Appeals Deception: – Gal. 1:6-9 – 2 Cor. 11:3-4 – 1 John 4:1 So many other contradicting groups appeal to the same emotional experience. – Paul appealed to the scriptures, reason, and logic. – When the disciple performed miracles they still went back to the word as their basis for convicting others. (Acts 2) – We are to have faith but not blind faith.