Posted on 07/05/2007 3:00:33 AM PDT by Gamecock
The following draws from the book Is the Mormon My Brother by apologist James White. Earlier this year, Paul Kaiser reprinted a Worldview article titled 10 Mormonism Facts which generated a myriad of responses from visitors who stated that Mormons were being misrepresented and are simply our brothers & sisters in the Body of Christ. Let’s look at what Dr. White presents using LDS resources:
The First Vision
Without question the key revelation in Mormon Scripture regarding the nature of God is to be found in what is known as the First Vision of Joseph Smith. The vision itself is fundamental to all of LDS theology. Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie described the vision:
That glorious theophany which took place in the spring of 1820 and which marked the opening of the dispensation of the fullness of times is called the First Vision. It is rated as first both from the standpoint of time and of pre-eminent importance. In it Joseph Smith saw and conversed with the Father and the Son, both of which exalted personages were personally present before him as he lay enwrapped in the Spirit and overshadowed by the Holy Ghost.
This transcendent vision was the beginning of latter day revelation; it marked the opening of the heavens after the long night of apostate darkness; with it was ushered in the great era of restoration, the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21.) Through it the creeds of Christendom were shattered to smithereens, and because of it the truth about those Beings whom it is life eternal to know began again to be taught among men. (John 17:3.) With this vision came the call of that Prophet who, save Jesus only, was destined to do more for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. (D. & C. 135:3.) This vision was the most important event that had taken place in all world history from the day of Christ’s ministry to the glorious hour when it occurred.(1)
And Mormon Prophet Ezra Taft Benson said,
Joseph Smith, a prophet of God, restored the knowledge of God. Joseph’s first vision clearly revealed that the Father and Son are separate personages, having bodies as tangible as mans. Later it was also revealed that the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, separate and distinct from the personalities of the Father and the Son. (See D&C 130:22.) This all-important truth shocked the world even though sustained by the Bible. (2)
How is it that the creeds of Christendom were shattered to smithereens and the knowledge of God was restored by this one vision? While the story is as familiar to Mormons as John 3:16 is to Christians, we present Joseph Smith’s own recounting of the story in full, taken from the LDS Scriptures (and hence carrying canonical authority). However, we note that the account that appears in the LDS Scriptures was written in 1838, eighteen years after the events described:
14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon bysome power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)–and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong;(3) and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, Never mind, all is well I am well enough off. I then said to my mother, I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true. It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy? (Joseph Smith History 1:14-20).
What does this vision, recorded in LDS Scripture, teach concerning God? First and foremost, it presents to us the concept of a plurality of gods. This arises from the fact that God the Father is a separate and distinct physical entity from Jesus Christ, His Son. God the Father is possessed of a physical body, as is the Son. This is why McConkie can claim the creeds of Christendom were smashed to smithereens, for the vision has always been interpreted by the LDS leadership to teach that God the Father is a separate and distinct person and being from the Son. The unity of Being that is central to Christian theology is completely denied by Joseph Smith in the First Vision. Hence, you have one God, the Father, directing Smith to another God, the Son.
While it is not our intention to critique these teachings at this point, it should be noted that there are a number of problems with the First Vision, and with the entire development of the LDS concept of God as well. As we noted, this version of the First Vision was not written until 1838. Previous versions, however, differed in substantial details from this final and official account. Most significantly, the presence of both the Father and the Son as separate and distinct gods is not a part of the earlier accounts.(4)
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(1) Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine,2nd ed., rev. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), pp. 284-285, LDSCL.
(2) Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), p. 4, LDSCL. On page 101 of the same book, we read this strong statement:
The first vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith is bedrock theology to the Church. The adversary knows this and has attacked Joseph Smith’s credibility from the day he announced the visitation of the Father and the Son. You should always bear testimony to thetruth of the First Vision. Joseph Smith did see the Father and the Son. They conversed with him as he said they did. Any leader who, without reservation, cannot declare his testimony that God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith can never be a true leader, a true shepherd. If we do not accept this truth if we have not received a witness about this great revelationwe cannot inspire faith in those whom we lead.
(3) One of Mormonism’s leading scholars, James Talmage (and a General Authority), said the following in the General Conference of April, 1920:
This Church, therefore, from its beginning, has been unique, for the organization of the Church was forecasted in this declaration that at the time of Joseph Smiths first vision there was no Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth; and I do not see why people should take issue with us for making that statement (CR1920Apr:103).
(4) I noted a number of the historical problems with Mormonism in Letters to a Mormon Elder, pp. 88-106. For a fuller treatment of this issue, see H. Michael Marquardt and Wesley P. Walters, Inventing Mormonism (Salt Lake: Smith Research Associates, 1994), pp.1-41, and Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? (Salt Lake City: Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1982), pp. 143-162.
In the spirit of you sharing a quote from the Book of Mormon I’d like to share a quote from Frodo in the Lord of the Rings. “I know what I have to do, Sam. The ring was entrusted to *me*. It’s my task, mine, my own!” Just like King Benjamin, Frodo is a well-meaning and caring individual. And just like Benjamin, Frodo is fictional and will always be fictional.
But alas I no longer think the #1 problem for the Mormon church is that the Book of Mormon is fictional. Their #1 problem above all others that is screaming at the top of its lungs is simply that it FAILS TO TELL THE TRUTH. Its absurd to what extent the church goes to in its efforts to whitewash its history. For example, Boyd K. Packer openly advocates that seminary teachers ought to not tell their students the truth on church history. As a result there are many who are in the church who are very misled on the church’s past. And its especially important if they want credibility that they learn their history and be prepared to answer questions honestly. Most people really won’t judge Mormons so much by how difficult their claims are to believe, but by how completely honest they are with them. So when questions come up about Mormonism I hope you won’t commit sins of omission in trying to hide or coverup any church history/doctrines. Just tell it the way it is and you’ll gain more respect from those who are honest seekers of truth.
You are so absolutely correct. It was discovering that the Church lies about its history that led me away. God’s Church absolutely cannot lie, if it does, it cannot be from God.
Today, with the advent of the internet it is imperative for the Church to deal with its issues honestly. Church apologetics may work on TBMs, but it doesn’t work on those with questions. That tactic will definitely NOT work with the voting public who are not LDS.
My goodness, are you still beating that drum?
Because I haven't been following your posts, I do not know whether you have provided us a definition of Christian. Without such a definition, it is silly to say that Mormonism is not Christian.
The rest of your post is disappointing stuff. Your charges of blasphemy and heresy amount to nothing more than name-calling. If that is the best you have to offer, please leave me out of the discussion.
Thank you for the clarification.
As a Baptist I can't accept the writings of a man 1700-1800 years after the fact as Scripture. The Scriptures were completed before the last Apostle died. They may not have been compiled in the order we have today, but they had been written.
Do Mormons consider the books "discovered", or written by Joesph Smith as Scripture?
I hope you don't mind me jumping in, but if this is a commonly held belief of Mormons why would you consider yourselves to be Christians, or for that matter want to be called Christians.
Different Christian groups have a great many disagreements, but they all agree that God preexisted everything none believe God "evolved".
What I find in reading the posts from the mormons here is that they seem to be describing an entirely different church from the one I grew up in, and it has been only 50 short years.
The denial of the progression to become a god is especially noticeable. That is something that was continually stressed in church lessons and talks in my day. I have also seen a certain trend among some to speak openly of personal spiritual revelations, which I do not recall hearing before....it used to be that was left to the prophet, and for a member to claim such personal gifts would have been frowned on.
Another odd thing is the drive to be known as "Christian", being accepted in the larger Christian community now. There was much pride in being different in the past, because of the firm belief that all the other churches were wrong. I'm sure that in testimonies you can still hear the phrase, "I'm thankful for the one, true church." If this is really believed, why would you want to be lumped in with all the others? It makes no sense to me.
I see much avoidance from apologists when asked a direct question of simple basic beliefs, as though it is something to be hidden from public view. In the same way, I have noticed some of Romney's answers to be avoidance rather than factual.
I think that what has happened is the "milk before meat" attitude has become widespread nowadays, and it just doesn't work with the present easily available information. It is a pleasant surprise when someone just flat out states their beliefs without misdirection and avoidance.
I do appreciate your patient replies. Clearly if I was given a choice of neighbors between a Mormon family and a Muslim family I would want the Mormons to be my neighbor. However, that would not mean they are Christians.
I had thought that it was just the Book of Mormon that had been added to the Old and New Testament.
...now your story continues to evolve
A blatant example is the portion of Genesis chapter 50 which Smith added from verse 24 onward (12 completely fabricated verses, with the fabrication started in the already existing verse 24) in his false prophet efforts to fabricate a prophecy of his advent ‘in these latter days.’
The Book of Mormon is recorded of the descendants of Joseph of Egypt that migrated to the Western Hemisphere 600 BC
The Bible is a record of the descendants of Judah
Ezek 37
15 ¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 ¶ And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
These are the things I believe in and I need no validate from those who’s manners and actions speak for themselves.
Matthew 22:29-30
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
“The Book of Mormon is recorded of the descendants of Joseph of Egypt that migrated to the Western Hemisphere 600 BC
The Bible is a record of the descendants of Judah”
One of the false foundation stones of mormonism, perfectly
expressed resty. Nor does Ezekiel bear out that falsehood.
Exactly.
John 8:57-58
"You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
This doesn't jive too well with Mormonism.
I would be extemely averse to becoming entangled in yet another sticky TarBaby!
...now your understanding of my story continues to evolve....
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