Did You Know that the Mormon Religion Was Partly Inspired By Islam?

And, an interesting difference:

The Mormon doctrine of Eternal Progression asserts that God was once a man,and that humans may become gods themselves. All of this is emphatically rejected by Islam, which views these teachings as polytheistic.

The two religions are in no way linked. Your post is absolute bunk and anti-Mormon propaganda. And, no, I’m not a Mormon or Mitt-bott.

Linked or not, it would seems the Mormons of Utah Valley University identify with muslims and are working towards give PR assistance to Muslims with their "image" in the U.S.:

The two-day event, titled “Mormonism and Islam,” featured speakers both locally relevant and nationally renowned...
He said that because Mormons and Muslims have similar experiences with national persecution and misconception, the two faiths should support one another. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, according to Prothero, should take the lead due to its slightly better standing in the national eye“Islam,” Prothero said, “has not received the legitimization Mormonism has enjoyed.”

Prothero went on to cite the national representation of the LDS Church. Four Congressmen are Mormons, constituting three percent of the representative body. With Mormons making up only two percent of the nation’s total population, Prothero declared Mormons as “over-represented in the U.S. Congress.”

With such a healthy representative showing, Prothero challenged Mormons to step up to support Muslims who currently suffer stereotypes and persecutions with which the LDS Church can empathize.

The only connection with Islam is that when Joseph Smith first became famous, some American newspapermen (remember when we had those?) often called him “The New Mohammet”. Any other similarities are really superfluous.

So you’re saying that if we were Mormon and I made it to heaven, I would have to call out, “Old Bat”??

To suggest he was even aware of who Muhammad was is Hitchens way of smearing. He has no source material for this supposed quotation.
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“I Will Be a Second Mohammed”

In the heat of the Missouri “Mormon War” of 1838, Joseph Smith made the following claim, “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ ”[1]

It is most interesting that a self-proclaimed Christian prophet would liken himself to Mohammed, the founder of Islam. His own comparison invites us to take a closer look as well. And when we do, we find some striking—and troubling—parallels. Consider the following.

Mohammed and Joseph Smith both had humble beginnings. Neither had formal religious connections or upbringing, and both were relatively uneducated. Both founded new religions by creating their own scriptures. In fact, followers of both prophets claim these scriptures are miracles since their authors were the most simple and uneducated of men.[2]
Both prophets claim of having angel visitations, and of receiving divine revelation to restore pure religion to the earth again. Mohammed was told that both Jews and Christians had long since corrupted their scriptures and religion. In like manner, Joseph Smith was told that all of Christianity had become corrupt, and that consequently the Bible itself was no longer reliable. In both cases, this corruption required a complete restoration of both scripture and religion. Nothing which preceded either prophet could be relied upon any longer. Both prophets claim they were used of God to restore eternal truths which once existed on earth, but had been lost due to human corruption.
Both prophets created new scripture which borrowed heavily from the Bible, but with a substantially new “spin.” In his Koran, Mohammed appropriates a number of Biblical themes and characters—but he changes the complete sense of many passages, claiming to “correct” the Bible. In so doing he changes many doctrines, introducing his own in their place. In like manner, Joseph Smith created the Book of Mormon, much of which is plagiarized directly from the King James Bible. Interestingly, the Book of Mormon claims that this same Bible has been substantially corrupted and is therefore unreliable. In addition, Joseph Smith went so far as to actually create his own version of the Bible itself, the “Inspired Version,” in which he both adds and deletes significant portions of text, claiming he is “correcting” it. In so doing he also changes many doctrines, introducing his own in their place.
As a part of their new scriptural “spin,” both prophets saw themselves as prophesied in scripture, and both saw themselves as a continuation of a long line of Biblical prophets. Mohammed saw himself as a continuation of the ministry of Moses and Jesus. Joseph Smith saw himself as a successor to Enoch, Melchizedek, Joseph and Moses. Joseph Smith actually wrote himself into his own version of the Bible—by name.
Both prophets held up their own scripture as superior to the Bible. Mohammed claimed that the Koran was a perfect copy of the original which was in heaven. The Koran is therefore held to be absolutely perfect, far superior to the Bible and superceding it. In like manner, Joseph Smith also made the following claim. “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 its precepts, than by any other book.”[3]
Despite their claim that the Bible was corrupt, both prophets admonished their followers to adhere to its teachings. An obvious contradiction, this led to selective acceptance of some portions and wholesale rejection of others. As a result, the Bible is accepted by both groups of followers only to the extent that it agrees with their prophet’s own superior revelation.
Both Mohammed and Joseph Smith taught that true salvation was to be found only in their respective religions. Those who would not accept their message were considered “infidels,” pagans or Gentiles. In so doing, both prophets became the enemy of genuine Christianity, and have led many people away from the Christ of the Bible.
Both prophets encountered fierce opposition to their new religions and had to flee from town to town because of threats on their lives. Both retaliated to this opposition by forming their own militias. Both ultimately set up their own towns as model societies.
Both Mohammed and Joseph Smith left unclear instructions about their successors. The majority of Mohammed’s followers, Sunni Muslims, believe they were to elect their new leader, whereas the minority, Shiite Muslims, believe Mohammed’s son was to be their next leader. Similarly, the majority of Joseph Smith’s followers, Mormons, believed their next prophet should have been the existing leader of their quorum of twelve apostles, whereas the minority, RLDS, believed Joseph Smith’s own son should have been their next prophet. Differences on this issue, and many others, have created substantial tension between these rival groups of each prophet.
Mohammed taught that Jesus was just another of a long line of human prophets, of which he was the last. He taught that he was superior to Christ and superceded Him. In comparison, Joseph Smith also made the following claim.

“I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him, but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.”[4] In light of these parallels, perhaps Joseph Smith’s claim to be a second Mohammed unwittingly became his most genuine prophecy of all.

[1] Joseph Smith made this statement at the conclusion of a speech in the public square at Far West, Missouri on October 14, 1838. This particular quote is documented in Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History, second edition, (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1971), p. 230–231. Fawn Brodie’s footnote regarding this speech contains valuable information, and follows. “Except where noted, all the details of this chapter [16] are taken from the History of the [Mormon] Church. This speech, however, was not recorded there, and the report given here is based upon the accounts of seven men. See the affidavits of T.B. Marsh, Orson Hyde, George M. Hinkle, John Corrill, W.W. Phelps, Samson Avard, and Reed Peck in Correspondence, Orders, etc., pp. 57–9, 97–129. The Marsh and Hyde account, which was made on October 24, is particularly important. Part of it was reproduced in History of the [Mormon] Church, Vol. III, p. 167. See also the Peck manuscript, p. 80. Joseph himself barely mentioned the speech in his history; see Vol. III, p. 162.”

[2] John Ankerberg & John Weldon, The Facts on Islam, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1998), pp.8–9. Eric Johnson, Joseph Smith & Muhammed, (El Cajon, CA: Mormonism Research Ministry, 1998), pp. 6–7.

[3] Documentary History of the [Mormon] Church, vol.4, pp.461.

[4] Documentary History of the [Mormon] Church, vol.6, pp.408–409.

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Mormons have close ties with muslims to this day:

1 - A LDS perspective on Muhammed (LDS.org)
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/08/a-latter-day-saint-perspective-on-muhammad?lang=eng

2 - U.S. Muslims share friendship, similar values with Mormons (LA Times, published in 2008)
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/02/local/me-morlims2

3 - Mormonism and Islam: Commonality and Cooperation Between Abrahamic Faiths (March 10 & 11, 2011 - Utah Valley University)
http://www.uvu.edu/religiousstudies/mormonismandislam/

4 - Ask a Mormon: What do Mormons think of Muslims (March 2010 - MormonWoman.org)
http://mormonwoman.org/2010/03/15/ask-a-mormon-woman-what-do-mormons-think-about-islam/

5 - Mormons and Muslims break fast together (Ramadan 2010 - Deseret News)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705386347/Mormons-Muslims-break-the-fast-in-Southern-California.html

6 - Islamic Translation Service (Brigham Young University)
http://meti.byu.edu/islamic.php

7 - Muslims attending BYU focus on similarities between Islam, LDS tenets (Deseret News - Dec 2009)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705353014/Muslims-attending-BYU-focus-on-similarities-between-Islam-LDS-tenets.html

“If the people [of Missouri] come on us to molest us, we will establish our religion by the sword. We will trample down our enemies and make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Quran or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us – Joseph Smith or the Sword" – History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 167.

You wrote: The only connection with Islam is that when Joseph Smith first became famous, some American newspapermen (remember when we had those?) often called him “The New Mohammet”. Any other similarities are really superfluous.

Not correct!

There are many similarities, including: Joseph's perverted sexual practices (including polygamy), financial crimes, blood feuds (blood atonement), and violence against "gentiles" ... not to mention numerous doctrinal similarities including a works based salvation, and male dominance both in this world and the afterlife.

To the headline: yes I did. Joseph Smith compared himself to mohammad.

Both have ‘scared scriptures’ of dubious authorship..........

So??

Why should I care???

Not really. Modern day Mormonism only looks tolerable to you because Mormons were forced by the US Cavalry to give up their murderous ways, and had to renounce polygamy and other practices in order for Utah to become a state.

Reading this thread jogged my memory that I had a book titled, “Mormons and Muslims: A Case of Matching Fingerprints” by Dennis Kirkland, 2008, Xulon Press (www.xulonpress.com) ISBM 978-1-60477-760-4

Kirkland, a former Marine infantryman, holds a doctorate from Liberty University. He says he wrote this book to inform any reader, Christian or non-Christian what these two religions believe. Also to help Christians have “something to say to Muslims and Mormons”, not “as a spiritual club...but as a means of better understanding their needs, which can be met only in Jesus”. Kirkland says comparisons of Muslims with Mormons is not something new, that it “has been done since the early 1800s after the founding of the Mormons”. He says these comparisons were accomplished by three camps: secular, non-Christian; the Mormon; and the Evangelical Christian. He lists and gives details of these comparisons.

For example, he writes that a German historian, Eduard Meyer, compared the two religions. Meyer was not a Christan but was considered “one of the most learned men of modern times”. His specialty was ancient history and especially how religions began. Meyer was “well versed in Islam and noted that Mormons and Muslims resembled each other in many ways.” Meyer wrote: “Without the least exaggeration, we may designate the Mormons as the Mohammedans of the New World according to their origin and their manner of thinking”, (page 13).

Still quoting: “Kirkland says there are two books written from a Mormon point of view that make a direct comparison between the two faiths. The first, “The Correlation of Muslim Doctrine and Latter-Day Saint Doctrine Based on the Holy Scriptures” by Amos R. Jackson. The Jackson family were devout Mormons. In the early 60s, the family hosted an Indonesian exchange student. Mr. Jackson noticed the matching fingerprints and compared the two faiths based on their scriptures. Jackson wrote: “As I studied, the Qur’an, with all the commentaries and notes, I noted significant doctrinal concepts that are clearly corollary to those found in the accepted Scriptures of the Church of the Latter-day Saints” (pg 14).”

A second book comparing the two faiths from a Mormon point of view is “Mormons and Muslims: Spiritual Foundations and Modern Manifestations, edited by Spencer J. Palmer. This was a publication of papers presented at BYU in October, 1981.

These two books, says Mr.Kirkland, written from a Mormon perspective “desire to embrace the similarities. The Mormon view is positive, Mormons want to give the Muslims a hug and invite them to believe in Joseph Smith as a more modern prophet than Mohammed...It is not surprising to note that the Muslims are not as friendly to the idea of embracing Mormon prophets such as Joseph Smith.”

“Mormon founder Joseph Smith himself wrote, I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—’Joseph Smith or the Sword!’” (pg 15) A footnote says Smith said this at the end of a speech in the public square at Far West, Missouri on October 14, 1838. Quote is from Fawn M. Brodie’s book, “No Man Knows My History”, 2nd edition, (New York: Knopf, 1971, ppg 230-231)”

I haven’t read this book, but based upon what I’ve just typed, I surely will be reading it. I think it is a duty to read this book, now that I see a few pages of it.

Then you know nothing of Joseph Smith or the foundation of mormonism.
Joseph Smith campared himself to mohammad, JS declaied himself to be the next mohammad. JS declared his way or the sword just like mohammad.
Before you say bunk, be sure you know what you are talking about.

Then you know nothing of mormonism.

See, good example.

My eternal joy rests in your hands and your willingness to call my secret name.

LOL! Nice try......

SHUT UP! Obama is the Muslim not Romney.

Yep. All the husband has to do is claim she is unworthy, take her to the bishop make his case they both say she is unworthy.
She is shunned by co workers, ward members and family (mormon family)....it never ends well.

Wrong on so many counts.
Joseph Smith said he was the next mohammad.

I wonder if the Republican candidate was an Evangelist if we would see pieces about how they are all members of the KKK and want lynchings?
There’s a reason we don’t see articles about Kenya’s slave trade.

It’s high time that this kind of thinly veiled attack goes back under the rock from which it crawled.