From the exMormon forum, citing Mormon "scripture" Doctrine & Covenants 129 and then commenting upon it: 4 When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. 5 If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand...8 If it be the devil• as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel• anything; you may therefore detect him. 9 These are three grand keys• whereby you may know whether any administration is from God. I remember hearing this as a kid and getting pretty nervous. My hell, I hope I don't have to use this. I won't be able to remember which is which. Plus, if a heavenly messenger comes, I want to hide, not do the handshake test to determine what actions to take. It's hilarious if you think about it. They still really believe this stuff. Amazing
Smith taught that Satan had literal physical hands (D&C 124:10). Did Smith observe him to detect this firsthand?
Joseph Smith also offered another way to "distinguish" between a "good" angel and a "bad" one in a book published by Mormon leaders after his death.
There have also been ministering angels IN THE CHURCH which were OF SATAN appearing as an angel of light. [Note: Smith then went on to describe an entity appearing to a New York woman]
Smith continued: Many true things were spoken by this personage, and many things that were false. How, it may be asked, was this known to be a bad angel? By the color of his hair; that is one of the signs that he can be known by..." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret News Press, 1938, pp. 214-215)
Whew! 'Tis good Smith had these "handshake" and hair-color discernments in place so he wouldn't get fooled about anything these entities were telling him!
Bottom-line, Smith had ZERO discernment on how to tell the difference between a demon masquerading as a ghost (Moroni), and a true angel.
As for Biblical discernment, test new revelations by old ones...not by hair color...not by handshakes with spirits -- as if they all had "shakeable" hands, anyway!
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
As Johnny Carson would say, “that is some wild and crazy stuff.”
Mormon believers, you don't have much time left to leave the words of this conman and seek solace in the arms of Jesus.
Truly a noble endeavor.
What?!!! Mormons again?
If you bought it somewhere else, your prayers will not be answered.
I’m going to the grocery sometime today. When I get my candy corn, I’ll click back on this thread and read the Halloweenish refutations.
Godzilla thought it'd be a good idea if we had a "zombie thread resurrection for Halloween" re: this link.
"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. " Also Acts 2:34 (NKJV):
"For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' "
THERE IS NO ONE IN HEAVEN ONLY GOD AND HIS ANGLES