[Colofornian]

Note: This is a Mormon who wrote this.

From the blog: 1. The Book of Abraham is the key support for the LDS doctrine of the pre-existence, and the pre-existence is treated as a foundational doctrine in official Church curriculum. Indeed, the pre-existence has been and is often the starting-point when we introduce our Restored Gospel to those investigating or newly converted to our faith. It is the “first estate” of our existence as described in our familiar version of the “Plan of Salvation.” For example, in our Gospel Principles manual, elements of the pre-existence are covered in all of the first six lessons. And unsurprisingly, the Book of Abraham is cited in all six of the first six lessons of the GP manual. If the Book of Abraham is “not central” to the Restored Gospel, one wonders why its contents are found in the first six lessons of the official Church manual we use to teach investigators and converts the Restored Gospel.

Good question, Andrew...if the so-called "Book of Abraham" (an Egyptian funeral document that Joseph Smith obtained for what would be the equivalent of $60,000 in today's $ value) isn't central to the alleged "restored" gospel of Mormonism, then there goes the centrality of the "pre-existence" of Mormons...who supposedly were supplied to Planet Earth by way of a planet near the star, Kolob.

************

From the blog: Dr. Gee’s list of six “central” points is also interesting for the many core LDS beliefs that it does not include. For example, it does not even include a belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, nor does it even mention a belief in the Bible.

Boy, I can understand "belief in the Bible" not being a basic Mormon central belief (that's pretty obvious from their doctrine alone!), but the belief that Joseph Smith is a prophet God not included as a central tenet of Mormonism??? This would just NOT sit well with THE Lds general authorities of yesteryear!

Whereas Jesus’ drew black-and-white, line-in-the sand words in John 14:6 ("I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me")...The past Lds general authorities drew the line at places like Joseph Smith and the Lds Church!

Brigham Young:

* "...EVERY spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist..." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 435)
* "Whosoever... does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist...," (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 176)
* "He that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312)

For other similar quotes, see section two of this article: If Mormonism is 'anti-Christian,' then how can it be considered 'Christian?'

Btw, does that sound very “civil” to you – for Mormon “prophets” to label us all as “of Antichrist”???

From this Mormon curtain article -- Smith wasn't a mere afterthought to Brigham Young's right-hand man...but a "god"!!! "You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a God, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor” (Heber C. Kimball of the Lds First Presidency, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p. 88)

[Bidimus1]

Corrections:

Not Restored but Re-Invented

Dropping BoA at least in public is probably due to it being indefensable (even more so than the others works attributed to J.Smith)

Seems Boa may be sliding toward Kinderhook plates status.

[fishtank]

The lds-org denies that Jesus is the Creator, that everything was created THROUGH Him, BY Him and FOR Him.

They deny that Jesus created even the angels out of nothing.

They do NOT teach the truth about Jesus.

[Elsie]

Church News Says Book of Abraham “Not Central to the Restored Gospel”

Captain Obvious is BACK!

[Elsie]

Church News Says Book of Abraham “Not Central to the Restored FULLNESS of the Gospel”; either!!

---

---

[Colofornian]

I have to say that one of the most common FREEPER arguments I have heard over these past five years -- in response to the objections the Flying Inmans have raised about Mormonism -- is that Jihadist terrorism is a greater threat.

So, how have we responded to that comment?

#1 Some of us can multi-task (thank God). Otherwise, to hear some tell it, jihad terrorism and the Muslim threat would be the ONLY think we'd have the time, resources, and energy to oppose.

#2 Only a fool thinks the "brush fire" here on earth is the three-alarm, city-wide meltdown that hell represents.

Simply put, we take our cultural cue from a certain "Lord" named Jesus Christ...

Jesus said:

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)

So does Jesus say, "fear the Marxists/communists?" (No)
Does Jesus say "fear the enemies of our freedom loving republic within our borders?" (No)
Instead, does He say to exercise fear of the One who has authority to cast somebody into hell? (Yes)
So, indeed, our "fear" is on behalf of those who are placing their eternal spiritual lives at risk.

#3 Some have suggested that we "unite" behind an anti-Marxist/socialist cause. (And thereby simply ignore the ISM of MormonISM)

I could probably guess that the folks who the apostle Paul warned the church @ Ephesus about had the bulk in common with the sheep there. Both groups were "religious." So, did Paul play the "allies"-game-don't-divide-us others play? (No)

As Paul was leaving the church of Ephesus, he warned them with this high-priority alert:

"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)

Paul's cultural priority? (Defend against the false disciples who will proselytize the flock and draw away men unto themselves!)

You see, if you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think it's rather important? So what? We're just to conclude, "Oh, the man who contributed a good chunk to the New Testament -- what does he know about cultural priorities?"

Bottom line: I'll take Paul's and Jesus' already-revealed priorities to others' guesswork patchwork.

[svcw]

Pretty soon nothing Joseph Smith said or did will be used, as it is all being ‘discounted’, well publicly anyway.

[Tau Food]

"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a God, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor” (Heber C. Kimball of the Lds First Presidency, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p. 88)

Is there anything more dangerous, particularly in a political setting, than the notion that an individual can himself be a God?

Has Romney ever repudiated this crazy and dangerous notion?