Posted on 09/02/2009 3:44:41 PM PDT by greyfoxx39
That's one finding to come from a new e-mail survey done by the family and church history department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The survey targeted members who use the church's resources to do family history and sought to determine how they engage with the faith's past.
Church history representative Rebecca Olpin told participants at the annual Mormon History Association meetings on Saturday that Latter-day Saints surveyed "want to be leveled with" when the church presents information about its past.
But he cautioned that like other archives, "there are some restrictions on privacy and intellectual property" as well as on "sacred, private and institutional materials. That's something we just won't budge on, and those things will never be made public," he said.
-SNIP-
When asked to respond to the statement, "I learned much of what I know about church history from 'The Work and the Glory,"' (a fictional series of books and films about an early Latter-day Saint family and their trials) Olpin said almost half of the respondents answered "yes."
I believe that Joseph Smith was inspired but as we know there is more than one source of inspiration. How many hapless souls have been misled so far and how many yet to come?
Pray for the souls of the millions who are immersed in this "religion".
It’s a circular argument, and not a very convincing one. Anyone could make this claim. The entire authority is based upon some sort of emotionalism, i.e. “burning in my heart.” This proves nothing. The Bible is backed up by historical evidence, but the Book of Mormon contradicts such evidence. Joesph Smith was a false prophet, and those who follow him will perish.
English as spoken by the common man in 19th century Upstate New York would certainly have included these simple parts of speech.
And yet GOD had JS to 'translate' the KJV of the Bible, but the LDS Organization does NOT consider it to be SCRIPTURE.
Does that not seem mighty STRANGE?
Yes Joseph Smith was inspired. He was inspired by God. God does not prosper the cause of a false prophet. The success of the LDS church is an indication of the source of it’s inspiration.
You've provided a conclusion for me and it's not God who has "prospered" Smith's church.
1. History of the Church
1. Prophecy about Jesus’ return within 56 years - “President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. He then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion—our trials, sufferings; and said God had not designed all this for nothing, but He had it in remembrance yet; and it was the will of God that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, for the coming of the Lord, which was nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene.” (History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 189). See context.
1. Jesus did not return within fifty-six years when 1891 arrived.
2. Doctrine and Covenants
1. Prophecy that the temple would be built in Missouri within Smith’s Generation - “Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion,i which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. 3 Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. 4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. 5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house... 31 Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed.” (Doctrines and Covenants 84:2-5,31.) See context.
1. The Mormons were driven out of Jackson County in 1833. They were not gathered there in accordance to this prophecy dealing with building the temple.
2. The prophecy clearly states that the generation present when the prophecy was given would not pass away until the temple was built at the western boundaries of the state of Missouri which is in Independence. This clearly failed.
2. All Nations would be involved in the American Civil War - “Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; 2 And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place. 3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations,” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-3). See context
1. This is clearly another false prophecy since all nations did not get involved in the American Civil War.
3. Prophesy that the earth will tremble and the sun be hidden in “not many days”: “For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree,” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:87) See context
1. The sun hasn’t yet been hidden nor has the moon hidden its face.
2. This prophecy was given on 12/27/1832. “Not many days hence”? Since the writing of this article on 6/22/06, it has been 63,364 days or 173 years, 5 months, 26 days. I think that 63,364 days is more than “not many days”.
1. For reference to January 1, 2000 it was 61,000 days (even), or 167 years, 5 days.
3. Pearl of Great Price
1. Prophecy that Isaiah 11 was about to be fulfilled - “In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when ‘they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,’ but soon would come,” (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith, History, verse 40). See context
1. Isaiah 11:6-9 says, “And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the kid, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. 7Also the cow and the bear will graze; Their young will lie down together; And the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8And the nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. 9They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.”
1. This has not yet been fulfilled. The wolf is not dwelling with the lamb, the calf and the lion are not together, nor are the cow and bear grazing together. The lion is not eating straw like an ox. Nursing children are not playing in the dens of cobras.
“no wonder folks on FR think Mormons are nuts”
You mean . . . like Glenn Beck?
Mohammed was inspired. He was inspired by God. God does not prosper the cause of a false prophet. The success of the Muslim religion is an indication of the source of its inspiration.
“Mormon Dupe” - You mean like Glenn Beck?
Thank you once again for fulfilling prophesy: Joseph Smith said his name would be known for good and evil. I know his name for good and you know his name for evil.
I suppose you think it’s cool that Joseph Smith and his brother were murdered in cold blood by a blood-thirsty mob - no due process, no trial.
I suppose you agree with Governor Boggs’ extermination order against Mormons - men, women and children.
I suppose you enjoy the thought of the early pioneer Mormons having their homes, land, and belongings stolen by evil greedy haters.
I suppose you think it’s just hunky dorie that Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo in winter.
I suppose you get a kick out of Mormons being persecuted today for their conservative stands.
I suppose you just love to ponder the spectacle of Joseph Smith being tarred and feathered. (Bet you really like that.)
The lies and distortions coming out against Mormons are nothing new. Nothing new at all. The persecution and hatred continue to this very day . . . just as predicted.
End times. That’s all.
What an absolutely great example of mind-reading and imputing motives. Congratulations.
I suppose you’re familiar with ad hominem argumentation.
No one is saying that Beck is not smart, successful, conservative, but he has indeed been "duped".
“God does not prosper the cause of a false prophet.”
I agree. The LDS Church today has over 13 million members all over the world and is the 4th largest denomination in America. That, and the spiritual fruit that the Church grows, is proof that Joseph Smith Jr was indeed a Prophet. He restored Christ’s Church to the earth. I am so grateful for his willingness to withstand the most vile persecutions since age 14.
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Church whose Head is Jesus Christ.
I am proud of the way my Church reaches out to those in need all over the world. I am proud that my Church has a lay clergy, as in no one gets paid. I am in awe of the LDS Missionaries - of all ages - who devote years of dedicated selfless service out of the goodness in their hearts.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was called “America’s Choir” by President Ronald Reagan. I’m proud of that, too.
The LDS Temples are precious to me. In them, we make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. I find it odd that anyone would make fun of our Temples.
But it’s still a free country and you are free to ridicule Mormons - or any other faith.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and I love Him with all my heart. Amen.
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