I'll give you one small piece of evidence from a Mormon source (edited by Preston Nibley) originated from Joe Smith's own mom that Joey made it all up:
(It all comes to down to men & women placing their 100% spiritual trust in what a mere lad said he saw).
Here's what Lucky Mack Smith said about her 17 yo son, Joseph Smith, Junior):
"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of the continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them. On the twenty-second of September, 1824, Joseph again visited the place where he found the plates the year previous; and supporting at this time that the only thing required, in order to possess them until the time for their translation, was to be able to keep the commandments of God...he fully expected to carry them home with him. (Lucy Mack Smith, edited by Preston Nibley, History of Joseph Smith, p. 83, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1958)
What Mormons often miss in this account is that Lucy Mack Smith was saying Joseph gave these storied details before he ever even "interpreted" these gold plates. [The context of her story is that Smith is age 17 & he's about to retrieve the gold plates again a year after being given them...and he's yet to interpret them]. A lot of it was either already there or influenced by other author(s) of his era -- in his active, imaginative mind!
Cute!!
VERY cute!
Right; UB?
to:Colofornian
If all you believe about Joseph Smith is correct then the Church he founded is even more of a miracle. Can you find anything good about people who give constant service to the poor and unfortunate throughout the world. When major disasters happen anywhere in the world the Mormons are usually the first to arrive with food, bedding, and other needed supplies. We are prepared with over 100 warehouses and canneries in the U.S. Most stakes (diocese)have a Church farm, all run by volunteers. Women in many local wards will make 400 quilts, birthing kits, hygiene kits, etc; each year, on an ongoing basis. Thousands of wheel chairs have been donated throughout the world. Hundreds of water wells have been dug in Africa. We had a fast day for starving Ethopia some years ago,6 million dollars was raised in one day. The Church produces over 20,000 tons of Atmit (an enriched cereal) for the very young and very old in Ethopia every year and delivers it No Charge. Members fast the first Sunday of each month and the money is used for the poor of the world. We have a Perpetual Education fund, 38,000 worthy young men and women in underdeveloped countries have received education and training thus far, lifting them out of grinding poverty. Thousands more will follow this new program.These members, as they can, payback the monies they receive from member contributions to keep the program growing.
We are small, about 3 million families. If every Christian Church throughout the world would have a monthly “Fast”day and contribute that money to the poor we could wipe out poverty in the world.We have no salaried people at the local level, this allows us to build chapels and temples all over the world that are paid for when comleted.
I would invite you to contact the local LDS church, visit our canneries and farms, visit The Bishops storehouse where the poor get free food as needed.
All this, and more comes from the teachings of Ol Joe Smith.
If all you believe about Joseph Smith is correct then the Church he founded is even more of a miracle. Can you find anything good about people who give constant service to the poor and unfortunate throughout the world. When major disasters happen anywhere in the world the Mormons are usually the first to arrive with food, bedding, and other needed supplies. We are prepared with over 100 warehouses and canneries in the U.S. Most stakes (diocese)have a Church farm, all run by volunteers. Women in many local wards will make 400 quilts, birthing kits, hygiene kits, etc; each year, on an ongoing basis. Thousands of wheel chairs have been donated throughout the world. Hundreds of water wells have been dug in Africa. We had a fast day for starving Ethopia some years ago,6 million dollars was raised in one day. The Church produces over 20,000 tons of Atmit (an enriched cereal) for the very young and very old in Ethopia every year and delivers it No Charge. Members fast the first Sunday of each month and the money is used for the poor of the world. We have a Perpetual Education fund, 38,000 worthy young men and women in underdeveloped countries have received education and training thus far, lifting them out of grinding poverty. Thousands more will follow this new program.These members, as they can, payback the monies they receive from member contributions to keep the program growing.
We are small, about 3 million families. If every Christian Church throughout the world would have a monthly “Fast”day and contribute that money to the poor we could wipe out poverty in the world.We have no salaried people at the local level, this allows us to build chapels and temples all over the world that are paid for when comleted.
I would invite you to contact the local LDS church, visit our canneries and farms, visit The Bishops storehouse where the poor get free food as needed.
All this, and more comes from the teachings of Ol Joe Smith&
The Savior.