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.
yup, real selective - pointing out your inconsistant statements!
Can't you just admit, "Ooops; I mis-typed that", without trying to accuse ME of some dark motive?
Not to worry, HE has 7000 prophets who have not bowed to Baal.
“Almost time to stalk off the field due to lack of worthy opponents!”
Pearls before swine Elsie, pearls before swine.
What’s the point of continuing to argue with people like you? Are you ever going to change? No. Am I? Impossible. So, we’re just wasting spit, coasting on pride. Who exactly here can carry on a reasonable discussion? Can you honestly say your grasp of the Scriptures is sufficient? Be honest. The anonymity of the internet allows people to prolong debates using inane tactics that would be laughed at if done on a stage. If we held this exchange on a stage, people would’ve started throwing things at you ten posts ago. Why then should I stay?
I was here for around five hours in toto yesterday - I have better things to do than engage in futile back and forths. So, yes, I’m leaving for now - another hour wasted, just because of my pride and stubborn refusal to let charges by smug anti-Mormons go unanswered.
P.s. I’m bringing the wife and kids to see the latest Harry Potter movie - am I going to hell for it?
Dang; I don't KNOW??
How does eternal bliss square with a wrathful God who wreaks vengeance on His enemies??
Edward Watson sure does!
Not smug at all, nope.
Gosh; I never said it did!
It’s nice to see you’re still misrepresenting my church and my words ...
HMMmm...
Tell me, Ed; is Presbytarianism true or not?
Why would you presume that?
Have you made up your mind on certain things before you've looked at all the data?
Sigh...
I was here for around five hours in toto yesterday - I have better things to do than engage in futile back and forths.
I'm sorry you read so slowly.
I’m bringing the wife and kids to see the latest Harry Potter movie - am I going to hell for it?
Probably not; but you ARE wasting good money that could be better used helping poor folks.
I'm a prophet! Hear me!
Why then should I stay?
This PROVES you are a minion of Satan!!!!
A smug one... Hehee...
Operator; what’s the area code for SLC?
Thank you.
Ring... ring...
Hello - Headquarters??
Yeah, it’s me again. Listen; you better send out another apologist - the one we got now is getting tired and going to see a movie. Yeah; a movie.
What? Is it uplifting? I don’t know. Something about pottery; I think. Potter and the Clay? No; I don’t think that’s the title.
You will? Good - when can we expect him (or her: who knows these days!)
—MormonDude
Under your thinking.....we all could just be unbeliever's and go to heaven. What does that say about the Bible?
You seriously believe God isn't a God of His Word? Who are you to question God?
Who are you to contradict the Word of God?
Are you sure you're on the correct web site...? Because I know a ton of liberals that believe very similar to yourself...when it comes to heaven and hell.
Well I guess...."Ditto to you. I’m glad I participated here today - I won’t again for a very long while" ...if you said that you would be branded a liar.
But then again.....depends on the meaning of "very long while".
Maybe 5 plus minutes is? Heck if I know......
But then again.....depends on the meaning of "very long while".
Maybe until my alternate-ego-other-persona signs on?
In post #646, as but one instance of a puffed up man booming on proudly and condescendingly in his ignorance, Edward Watson stated, "Did Christ EVER give a literal interpretation to one of his parables? EVER? No." Apparently, the passage in Matthew chapter 13, verse 36 and following, where Jesus explains the parable to His disciples by giving the literal interpretation isn't known to the Mormon Apologist. Such a scholar [/sarcasm], such a poor deluded man.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do NOT make it personal.
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