Difficult Questions for Mormons

The Interactive Bible ^

[delacoert]

1. Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth? God allowed the Jews to carry the 10 commandments for several centuries in their original physical form, written by the finger of God Himself!
2. "Will you, as a Mormon, please read the Bible cover to cover and ask God to reveal to you that it contains all of God's message to man and that parts are not lost or altered and that the Book of Mormon is false?"
3. If the original 1830 Book of Mormon was inspired than why were there so many errors and changes and additions and deletions, when compared to current editions?
4. How can we be assured that the translation of the B of M into French or any other language is correct? Only the English translation is claimed to be inspired!
5. How do you account for the stunning parallels in both content and order between the B of M and the View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith? Published in 1823 (7 years before the B of M) less than 100 miles from the Joseph Smith's parents home.
6. Mormon Article of Faith #8: "We Believe the Bible 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." Why do you only add the phrase, "as far as it is translated correctly" to describe the Bible and not after the book of Mormon when in fact there are far more translating errors in the Book of Mormon than the Bible?
7. If the Book of Mormon is true, then why has the Mormon church changed it? Examples are: 1 Nephi 11:21; 19:20; 20:1 and Alma 29:4. Compare these with the original Book of Mormon. (Gerald and Sandra Tanner have counted 3913 changes in the book of Mormon, excluding punctuation changes.)
8. How did Joseph Smith carry home the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily? (They weighed about 230 lbs. Gold, with a density of 19.3 weighs 1204.7 lbs. per cubic foot. The plates were 7" x 8" by about 6". See Articles of Faith, by Talmage, page 262, 34^th ed.)
9. If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God? (Doc. & Cov. 132:17,37)
10. Why do Mormons emphasize part of the Word of Wisdom and ignore the part forbidding the eating of meat except in winter, cold or famine? (Doc. & Cov. 89:12,13).
11. When Christ died, did darkness cover the land for three days or for three hours? (Luke 23:44 and 3 Nephi 8:19, 23).
12. Joseph Smith said that there are men living on the moon who dress like Quakers and live to be nearly 1000 years old. Since he was wrong about the moon, is it safe to trust him regarding the way to Heaven? (The Young Woman's Journal, Vol. 3, pages 263-264. See repreint in Mormonism --Shadow or Reality? by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, page 4.)
13. Joseph Smith prepared fourteen Articles of Faith. Why has the original No. 11 been omitted? (Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Vol. 2, three pages after page 160, among the photos.)
14. Why did the Nauvoo House not stand forever and ever? (Doc. & Cov. 124:56-60).
15. How can a man who is not a descendant of Aaron hold the Aaronic Priesthood? (Numbers 16:40; Heb. 7:13,14).
16. Since Mormonism teaches that only God the Father had a physical body at the time Adam was created, why did God say, "Let us make man in OUR image"? Why didn't He say, "Let us make man in MY image?" (Gen. 1:26).
17. If Jesus was conceived as a result of a physical union between God and Mary, how was Jesus born of a virgin? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 50).
18. How did Nephi with a few men on a new continent build a temple like Solomon's while Solomon needed 163,300 workmen and seven years to build his temple? (1 Kings 5:13-18 and 2 Nephi 5:15-17).
19. Why was Joseph Smith still preaching against polygamy in October 1843 after he got his revelation in July 1843 commanding the practice of polygamy? (Doc. & Cov. 132; and History of the Church Vol. 6, page 46, or Teachings of the Prophet, page 324).
20. God rejected the fig leaf aprons which Adam and Eve made (Gen. 3:21). Why do Mormons memorialize the fall by using fig leaf aprons in the secret temple ceremonies?
21. How do you explain the fact that 2 Nephi 16:2 is copied from an older version of the KJV of the Bible in Isa 6:2? This is proven because this older KJV (the mistake is corrected in current versions) made a rare gramatical error by using the incorrect plural form of "seraphims" rather than "seraphim".

[MHGinTN]

Meant to ping you two to this video series ...

[ejonesie22]

Amazing isn't it.

Yet allowing good people to be deceived by a completely fabricated cult, that uses its alleged “Christinaity” as a hook and lure, and drive the unwary stright into the arms of Satan himself is just fine and dandy by the standard of the Modern Oprah Christians.

To do otherwise is “mean and hateful”

May I suggest they read the Bible, perhaps for the first time. Pay attention to what it says in Jude about “snatching from the fire”. Sometime it takes a bit more than a loving hand to save the very blind...

We are also allowed to confront Christ's enemies, which as professional LDS apologist and enablers running the cult and not true and earnest practitioners of a Faith, people who are no where even remotely here to promote truth just maintain the scam, some here definitely qualify as...

[ejonesie22]

You know you are right.

In fact I think I will see if we can get a time out.

Certainly the Mormons will recall their 52000 salesmen for a brief respite.

Maybe the Muslims will play along and stay at home for a bit.

Hey, perhaps even old Beelzebub will shut hell down for a few months so we can all move on to other things for a while...

Yes sir a break in the eternal spiritual battle is in order, I am sure all will be on board with the idea...

[colorcountry]

LOL, I’m just sure that the trade off would be worth it to the Mormons.... ejonesie for 52,000 mishies.

(new tagline)

[SZonian]

Welcome to FR Noob.

Apparently you haven’t been “lurking” long enough or you’re either a mormon or a defender of mormons.

There are a few of us who have been and continue to be helped by the postings detailing the fallacies and heresies of mormonISM. They helped me leave mormonISM and I continue to post on their behalf and on behalf of others who may be contemplating leaving mormonISM.

These posts help me as an ex-mo because my wife and son are still members and when we discuss theology, I can point out simple things like this to expose the illogical and false premises that built the mormon church.

Like I said, IF you were “lurking for quite a while”, this would not be news to you and you might have rethought your post, it was and you didn’t.

Personally, I don’t give two bits what you care, you’re parroting the same crap many of the mormon apologist’s and their defenders do, so your position is known.

I post mine to rebut your inane and useless comment that is obviously borne out of falsehood.

Btw, delacoert, good post.

[MHGinTN]

Love the new tagline! Goes right along with my tagline, too.

[T Minus Four]

Good tagline!

[Logophile]

Why did the angel take Nephi Plates back to heaven? Do they not belong with man? Would not their existence prove once for all that Mormonism is truth?

Why did Jesus ascend into heaven after His resurrection? Would not His presence on Earth prove once for all that Christianity is truth?

[Godzilla]

Rather than answer the questions all we get is this canned mssage. Perhaps PD needs to read this -

Then come back and engage in some grown up coversation.

[svcw]

I know I know...if you don't like religion forum discussions or their directions, don't read them.

[LanPB01]

It never gets old for this crowd. It’s funny, if you can remain objective.

[Godzilla]

I’ve been lurking for quite a while and I just can’t quite get why people here think they are doing good by posting stuff like this. Sorry for assuming, but it sure seems like it’s more about the posters’ own egos than helping any poor deluded Mormons. Self-congratulation usually ends with only one set of hands clapping. Erecting a tired out echo chamber for Mormon bashers every couple of days must get old at some point.

Well n00b, take the time and posit an ANSWER to the questions posed in the lead. Your failure to address any telegraphs a tendency to ignore even the simplest questions or have a faith too weak to be able to face them head on.

[MHGinTN]

Oh yeah! Eternal fate of your immortal soul is such a hoot, don’tchaknow.

[delacoert]

It’s funny, if you can remain objective.

Yep, con artists sitting on a multi billion dollar pile of cash are having a wonderful laugh. Keep on propping up the con. It might not be so funny at the final trumpet.

[LanPB01]

Thanks for the continued laughs.

[delacoert]

hellip; one can ask a question with derision in their heart …

Are you volunteering as the mind reader who provides this discernment on FR Religion forums?

[dmz]

So the threads posted a few times a week are sincere attempts to point out the danger to the souls of those who follow Mormonism? It is simple evangelism?

Anonymously? On an internet forum? Seriously?

From my deeply held agnostic standpoint, there seems to be a bit more to it than evangelism. There is a ‘preaching to the choir and enjoying the acccolades from doing so’ that pervades these threads as well. As well as a bit of baiting the Mormons to respond as well. And given that the threads read like boilerplate text with the same people making the same comments time and time again, I am unswayed by the evangelism angle.

But that’s just me.

[Godzilla]

From my deeply held agnostic standpoint, there seems to be a bit more to it than evangelism.

Since you have no dog in the discussion your point wanes. In a thread as this, the questions put forth in the article are designed to challenge the mormon to think. It provides an innoculant to others by causing them to think about mormonism outside of the box the missionaries may seek to place them within.

Now for yourself - a deeply held agnostic - this thread isn't directed to you and your agnosticism. So it isn't surprising to see your take on this - other than to question the methods. FWIW, there are a number here who've seen the replies numerous times and have left mormonism as a result.

But then that is just me.

[MHGinTN]

Paul wrote ICor2:14 for folks just like you.

[nando9]

Ok, let’s review.

1. The observation of an outsider with “no dog in the fight” is less relevant than the fiercely held biases of the opinionated.

2. Keeping people from learning about mormonism from mormons is preferable. Precisely how you would like others to learn about your faith, or professional skills, or political views, etc., I presume.

3. Protecting agnostics from the danger of mormonism is less important than protecting anyone else from the same.

4. You are taking credit for people making highly personal decisions about their faith. On the internet.

How about answering the question about jesus being taken from the earth? If god really wanted everyone to be christian he would have left jesus all resurrected and immortal on the earth forever and ever. [Naturally, I don’t really want an answer from you. This question is purely in satisfaction of my urge to ask something that I think is clever.]