What is the Book of Mormon? (LDS Ecumenical)

http://lds.org/topic/book-of-mormon/ ^

[Paragon Defender]

The Book of Mormon serves as another testament of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. The Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible; rather they are companion works that together teach about God and Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith, through God's inspiration, translated the Book of Mormon from ancient records written on gold plates and taught that it is "the keystone of our religion."

Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. While the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the Americas, primarily from approximately 600 B.C. through A.D. 421.

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Also see the video at this page: President Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discusses the history and importance of the Book of Mormon.

[Paragon Defender]

ping

[JoeProBono]

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has published many pictures of Joseph Smith dictating the Book of Mormon. These depictions invariably show Joseph seated at a table, carefully examining the gold plates which are in front of him on the table. The impression given is that the dictation process involved Joseph’s direct visual contact with the plates.

However, this scenario does not square with the testimony of those who were eyewitnesses to Joseph Smith dictating the Book of Mormon. These witnesses include all three of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (the same individuals whose testimony appears in the front of every copy of the Book of Mormon), as well as Joseph Smith’s wife, Emma Hale Smith. They tell a similar story of Joseph dropping a magical seer stone into his hat, then burying his face in the hat and proceeding to dictate the Book of Mormon. Joseph claimed to see in the darkened hat the words he dictated. Several of the witnesses comment that the gold plates were sometimes not even in sight as Joseph dictated the Book of Mormon. This evidence of the actual Book of Mormon translation method has been discussed in at least six different scholarly articles and several books by Mormon historians over the past 30 years."

http://www.irr.org/mit/divination.html

[LeaveAmericaNow]

http://contenderministries.org/mormonism.php

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16

Mat 24:11 many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Good verses, thanks. :)

[Las Vegas Ron]

Oh boy, I see another Glenn Beck bashing thread in the making....

And for the record, I do not support or agree with LDS.

[bonnieblue4me]

In a two words: PLAGIARIZED FICTION

[Nosterrex]

I suspect that the vast majority of people that are concerned about matters of religious faith know what the Mormon's believe to be true about the Book of Mormon. That is not the problem. It is a matter of credibility and authority. Those outside the Mormon faith do not see the Book of Mormon as being either credible or authoritative. For instance, I might believe that Superman Comic Books are complementary to the Bible. Most people would not accept that belief. Unless Mormons can show some archaeological evidence that the historical descriptions in the BoM are true, the BoM will not be taken seriously by those outside of the Mormon faith.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

I like Glenn Beck. I just don’t agree with Mormon theology...

[zek157]

Here’s a couple other good ones.

Gal 1:8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed.

Gal 1:9 I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person.

[Hootowl]

‘Joseph Smith, through God’s inspiration, translated the Book of Mormon from ancient records written on gold plates and taught that it is “the keystone of our religion.”’

Which is why, no doubt, in the first edition of the Book of Mormon Smith is listed as the author, not the translator, kinda like fiction writers have always been.

[glorgau]

Fiction

[Las Vegas Ron]

You're relatively new here, welcome....but have a gander at this thread and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2601419/posts

[JoeProBono]

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of America's fastest-growing religions and, relative to its size, one of the richest. Church membership, now at over 12 million and growing, sweeps the globe. But from the moment of its founding in 1830, the church has been controversial....

Watch "The Mormons"

[MissesBush]

So long as you’re bringing up the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, take a look at what else the say about the Book of Mormon: “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.”

Interesting that people want to focus on things the Three Witnesses supposedly said, which by the way in no way calls into question the validity of the Book of Mormon, yet will ignore the things they said to the end of their lives, even after they had fallen away from the LDS faith over petty personal differences with Joseph Smith, never recanting the testimony given above.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Thanks for the heads up but for now I am more concerned the influence of the muzzies and the marxist POS in the White House.....when the Mormon’s start blowing up innocent people and threatening/imposing their beliefs on our way of life with commie ideals, let me know.

[Godzilla]

While the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the Americas, primarily from approximately 600 B.C. through A.D. 421.

What are the facts that support this claim - there are none. No bom city in the new world has been uncovered. No bom writings have been discovered. No bom name, city reference or event has ever been recorded by mayans. No evidence of an advanced metallurgical society has been found in the new world. No evidence of a religious system similar to the mosaic temple and sacrificial system of the bible.

Is this just an anti opinion. Well, even mormons among themselves cannot agree upon just WHERE the bom land were. There is one group that favors a postage stamp size area of central america. Other good mormons say the bom lands are the traditional areas of North America. Other mormons favor Peru. Other mormons favor the entire western hemisphere. Other mormons favor Baja California. Other mormons look to the malay peninsula and even africa.

What is the common thread in all these locations - absence of physical evidence of the bom peoples and cultures in all these lands. No wonder the Smithsonian Inst and the Nat'l Geographic society do not recognize the bom story as being authentic - because ALL of the evidence points elsewhere.

[JoeProBono]

LDS Restorationaist movement including the Mormon churches: The 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre

A group of men -- variously described as Southern Paiute Indians, Mormons dressed as Natives, or a combination of Natives and Mormons -- deceived and attacked a group of 137 pioneers whose wagon train was traveling from Arkansas, through Utah, and on to California. There are allegations that Mormons in the Mountain Meadows area created unrest among the Native population by spreading a rumor that the the pioneers were planning go to California and return with an army to attack the Natives and Mormons.

The 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre

[Las Vegas Ron]

I meant to address this firs:

The Book of Mormon serves as another testament of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible.

No, no it does not, in fact that statement is an oxymoron.

[Godzilla]

even after they had fallen away from the LDS faith over petty personal differences with Joseph Smith,

Lets be honest with history - they were excommunicated from the mormon church. In fact smith said the following about them -

"Such characters as McLellin, John Witmer, David Witmer, Oliver Cowdry, and Martin Harris are too mean to mention; and we had liked to have forgotten them." History of the Church, Vol 3, p232

Sorry, not 'petty personal differences' and hardly a character reference for the character of the 'three witnesses' from smith's own mouth.