Posted on 10/26/2010 5:55:35 AM PDT by Colofornian
BIBLE PASSAGES
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when Gods patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water
1 Peter 3:1820 ESV
For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
1 Peter 4:6 ESV
WHAT MORMONISM TEACHES
The LDS church has long taught that all people who died without opportunity to receive the Mormon gospel will receive that option in the spirit world after death. Mormons believe an elaborate missionary system is operating in the spirit world between mens death and their resurrection. The LDS doctrine of salvation for the dead is canonized in Doctrine and Covenants 138, which details a purported vision received by Joseph F. Smith, sixth LDS church president, on October 3, 1918.
Section 138 reads in part: While this vast multitude [of disembodied spirits] waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful; and there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance. But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised; neither did the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face (vv. 1821, italics added).
Gospel Principles, a student and teacher resource published by the LDS church, illustrates the sentimental aspect of Mormonisms doctrine of salvation for the dead. One story is found in the section relating to temple work and family history. Mario Cannamela married Maria Vitta in 1882, the tale begins. They lived in Tripani, Italy, where they raised a family and shared many wonderful years together. Mario and Maria did not hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ [Mormonism] during their lifetimes. They were not baptized [into the Mormon church]. They did not have the opportunity to go to the temple and be sealed together as an eternal family. At death, their marriage ended.
Over a century later a great reunion took place. Descendants of Mario and Maria went to the Los Angeles Temple, where a great-grandson and his wife knelt at an altar and served as proxies for the sealing [Mormon temple marriage] of Mario and Maria . . .
Many of our ancestors are among those who died without hearing about the [Mormon] gospel while on the earth. They now live in the spirit world (see chapter 41 in this book). There they are taught the [Mormon] gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted [that] gospel are waiting for the temple ordinances to be performed for them . . . (1997, p. 257).
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
The Bible emphatically denies the Mormon gospel is proclaimed to righteous or unrighteous disembodied spirits. When examined in context of all scripture, 1 Peter 3:18 teaches no such thing. So lets be clear on five important doctrinal points:
1. The Savior Didnt Establish a Spirit-World Missionary System. Describing Christs activities between the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Peter explained that Jesus went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when Gods patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared (1 Peter 3:19, 20). The chief apostle said nothing about Jesus preaching the gospel to disembodied spiritsrighteous or otherwisewho lacked opportunity to receive Mormonism in mortality. If Christ had done, as Joseph F. Smith claimed, Peter would have said so. He didnt. So what did Christ proclaim to the disobedient spirits of Noahs day?
Peter didnt elaborate, but the New Testament offers sound suggestions. First, Jesus undoubtedly proclaimed ultimate victory as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah. His proclamation to the disobedient spirits of Noahs day perhaps resembled his declaration to the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well. Jesus assured her that hes the Messiah who gives life and declares all things (John 4:25, 26). Second, Jesus surely proclaimed his forthcoming resurrection, which would guarantee that all mankind will physically rise from the dead (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15). During one of the Bibles most astounding miracles, Christ announced, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die (John 11:25, 26). This message is central to any proclamation involving Christ. And third, in all likelihood, Jesus confirmed that hes God revealed in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 KJV), He may have taught that, had they repented while living in the flesh, the disobedience spirits of Noahs day would have received forgiveness of sins (see Matthew 9:5, 6).
2. The Dead Cant Hope to Receive Christ. The doctrine of departed spirits receiving the gospel might be unique to Latter-day Saints. Mormons teach that those who die without opportunity to receive their version of the gospel, but would have received it had they lived, will inherit the highest kingdom of heaven. Joseph Smith, founding president of the LDS church, claimed, . . . All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 137:7, 8).
But the Bible teaches a dramatically different doctrine, namely, that the dead do not have an opportunity to repent. At mortal death, everyones fate is sealed. In support of this tenet, David said of the Lord, For there is no mention of You in death; in Sheol who will give You thanks? (Psalm 6:5). David also asked God rhetorically, Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah. Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (Psalm 88:1012). The obvious answer is no. Similarly, Isaiah taught, Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for [Gods] faithfulness (Isaiah 38:18).
3. Today is the Day of Salvation. Few apostles were better versed in Christian doctrine than Paul was. In a day that lacked concordances and computer-based keyword searches, he masterfully quoted and applied scripture. And if there was one teaching Paul knew, its that mortal life is the only time to receive the Savior. At one point, Paul told believers, We . . . urge you not to receive the grace of God in vainfor He says, At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2). The Letter to the Hebrews is equally adamant that today is the day of salvation, that theres no opportunity to receive Christ in the spirit world. Chapter 3 verses 714 prove beyond question that God has granted us repentance only during our current lifetime.
Even the Book of Mormon, which Joseph Smith alleged is the most correct book on earth, and that a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book (History of the Church 4:461), teaches that man cannot repent in the next life. For example, Alma 34:32 reads, For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors (italics added). Verse 34 of the same chapter emphasizes, That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
4. Joseph F. Smith Misidentified Christs Audience. When explaining how Jesus made proclamation to the spirits now in prison (1 Peter 3:19 NASB), Peter clearly identified the recipients of Christs message. The Lord addressed only the disobedient spirits of Noahs day (v. 20). But in total contradiction, Joseph F. Smith claimed Christ did not minister to the disobedient. Instead, Smith alleged, the Lord organized a missionary system in the spirit world, and its principal messengers were allegedly prophets from the eastern and western hemispheres (Doctrine and Covenants 138:3032). When comparing 1 Peter 3:1820 to Doctrine and Covenants 138:2032, the incongruity is remarkable. Peter said nothing about a spirit-world missionary system, nor did he mention Jesus preaching to righteous spirits between the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Theres no question, then, that Peter is more credible than Joseph F. Smith is. Those who truly love Christ believe the Bible, not the distinctive teachings of Mormonism. Recall that Isaiah warned, To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20 NKJV).
5. Who Are the Dead in 1 Peter 4:6? When promoting their notions of salvation for the dead, Mormons want you to believe the dead cited in 1 Peter 4:6 are departed spirits ready to receive the LDS gospel in the spirit world. When chapters 3 and 4 of 1 Peter are studied thoroughly, however, a different message unfolds. The context is judgment, not a spirit-world missionary system. In fact, beginning with verse 1, Peter urged readers to prepare for godly suffering and to live for God rather than fleshly lusts. He then said Christians have moved beyond sins of the flesh, but that non-Christians will be accountable to God for their unbelief. Establishing that foundation, Peter referred to believers who had lived on earth and then died: For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God
(1 Peter 4:6).
Various interpretations have been offered for 1 Peter 4:6. For example, one view says the dead Peter references are the spiritually dead. Another and perhaps more viable interpretation comes from Pastor and Bible scholar John MacArthur. He explains: The preaching of the gospel not only offers a rich life (3:10), a ceasing from sin (v. 1), and a good conscience (3:21), but also an escape from final judgment. Peter had in mind believers who had heard and accepted the gospel of Christ when they were still alive, but who had died by the time Peter wrote this letter. Some of them, perhaps, had been martyred for their faith. Though these were dead physically, they were triumphantly alive in their spirits (cf. Heb. 12:23). All their judgment had been fully accomplished while they were alive in this world (in the flesh), so they will live forever in Gods presence (The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, 2006, p. 1916).
THE FINAL WORD
As always, God has the final word, and that word is revealed exclusively through the Bible. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, the theories of men dont benefit the salvation of man (Matthew 15:79; Colossians 2:2023; Titus 1:14). Furthermore, we need not worry about people who die without hearing the gospel. All that the Father has given to Christ will come to him, and nobody belonging to Christ will be lost (John 6:37, 39; 17:2, 24). Paul removed all doubt that God the members of Christs church. The apostle wrote, But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired (1 Corinthians 12:18, italics added).
Are Mormons trying to convince you the Bible justifies their religion? Do you want a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? To learn the truth, write info@gco4lds.org.
Jesus once asked the question, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
The apostle Paul twice warned about Christians conducting endless genealogies in attaching religious significance to that.
The 1910s: The Doctrine of Temple Work
The October Other-World Series:
The 19th Century:
The 1880s-1890s: THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN SHALL TURN TO THEIR FATHERS
The 1870s: The Mormon Plan of Eternal Progression
The 1850s: Spiritualism and Mormonism: Some Thoughts on Similarities and Differences
The 1840s: The Nauvoo Pentagrams
The 1830s: The Occult and the Restoration Story: Joseph Smith and RLDS/LDS Origins
The Spirit World, Our Next Home
Are ghosts among us? Many believe in spirits, but churches offer stern warnings
The "familiar spirit" in 2 Nephi 26:16
The early 1800s:
JOSEPH SMITH, JR: Founder and first "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" (1805-1844)
JOSEPH SMITHS INVOLVEMENT WITH MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT
GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism
The prophet Isaiah: Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for [Gods] faithfulness (Isaiah 38:18).
The apostle Paul: We . . . urge you not to receive the grace of God in vainfor He says, At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2).
If we're not going to take these and other Bible passages (like Heb. 9:27, etc.) at face value, then at least why won't Lds believe the Book of Mormon? For example:
Alma 34:32, 34: For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors...That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
On top of that, allow me add other relevant Book of Mormon passages:
Alma 42:16 says that eternal punishment is as eternal as the life of the soul. [It's not temporary]
Also, unlike the Mormon endless spirit-world "missionary" undertaking [puts a whole new spin on that word "undertaker", doesn't it?], there's a few phrases in Alma 34, these authors didn't include re: how there's a place "wherein THERE CAN BE NO LABOR PERFORMED":
For behold THIS LIFE is the time for men to prepare to meet God...do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life...then cometh the night of darkness wherein THERE CAN BE NO LABOR PERFORMED. Ye CANNOT say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will reprent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye CANNOT say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. (I cited parts of vv. 32-34)
Also, both Mosiah 16:11 & 1 Nephi 15:35 says there's only TWO destinations post-death (not a third called "spirit prison"). And the BoM knows only heaven & hell -- no temporary spirit prison where "all mankind" goes (Mormon 9:23; Ether 4:18; Hel. 14:18-19; Alma 3:26; Alma 40:26; 2 Nephi 2:28-29; 2 Nephi 9:16; Alma 41:4; 3 Nephi 27:11,17; 2 Nephi 28:21-22).
My admonition for the day: Lds, study your own Book of Mormon on post-life. (Smith took much of his early belief system from the Bible before it got twisted).
Undecided readers,
If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums you will notice a pattern. There’s an anti-Mormon group of people here that spends a great deal of their time attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They post regurgitated propaganda on an almost daily basis.
They have a misguided obsession. You can witness many different tactics employed that you might find quite interesting. The straw man argument is a big favorite and is frequently preceded by cherry-picking quotes or other material. After the “quotation” the attacker will misrepresent what has been said or what was meant and then attack their own interpretation.
Another favorite is posting scripture or statements which on their own really present no dilemma. They make something out of nothing while never bringing up a single objection that hasn’t been addressed a hundred times before.
Sometimes they cruise the headlines of the day seeking any story that might be twisted into making the Church look bad. Anything will do, just watch the progression of posts following it and see what I mean.
After reading their posts, I invite you to seek the truth about whatever “issue” they seem to be “revealing” or “exposing”. I promise that if you do so with honest intent, the “ahah” moments you will have will be many and frequent. You will start to recognize the tactics employed to cleverly twist and attack and will likely chuckle the more you see. In actuality, there’s nothing new here. It’s all been addressed many times before.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Now you will likely notice the “you never address our points” posts pop up as usual. All after providing the answers just as you have here. Will you wear blinders too? Seek truth. Find out for yourself.
Note this quote from an Lds church magazine: ...the spirit world is the place where disembodied spirits go. It is a tangible, substantial sphere incorporated with our earth, the focal point of a massive missionary effort in which we share. It is a world closer than we realize...
Source: The Spirit World, Our Next Home
1 Peter 4:6 refers to the harrowing of hell, referenced in the Apostle’s Creed:
“He [Christ] descended into Hell; on the third day he rose again...”
Compare 1 Peter 3:18-19:
“... being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison...”
Why did Christ need to be put to death and quickened by the Spirit to preach to the souls in prison? And why is there no other mention of this preaching in prisons in the gospels or Acts? Keep in mind that “prison” is used frequently to refer to Hell. The next verse confirms that these prisoners include spirits who had been there since the days of Noah!
Hebrews 8 v 27:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Certainly no “second chance” of any kind, Mormonism or not, implied there.
Jesus brought me to Him a long time ago and He told me the truth.
No mention of Joseph Smith's permission to get to Heaven.
He told me there's only one way and that is through Him.
I'd like to meet you in Heaven some day, please give up the false prophet. My prayers are with you and for you and may God bless you and your family as much as He has blessed me and mine.
You are correct, thank you.
I share this sentiment, PD.
At the foot of the cross, the ground is level. I needed his blood dripping down on me. My sin nature. My personal sins...of commission...and omission.
Jesus going there, and even becoming a man on our behalf, shows us your great value in His eyes.
I, too, would love to share eternity with you in Our Father's presence. No godhood. Just servanthood. What a Great King we serve!
Paragon Non-Defender wrote... [clarifications added in brackets]...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Undecided readers,
If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums you will notice a pattern. Theres an anti-Mormon [former mormons who left the cult and now are Christians] group of people here that spends [devotes] a great deal of their time attacking [revealing the truth they learned about] the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints [the cult known commonly as “mormons”]. They post regurgitated propaganda [From our own mormon church official sources! When they do it, it’s propaganda. When I do it, it is official doctrine.] on an almost daily basis [actually, they do it throughout the day - that’s how much they care!].
They have a misguided obsession [understand that as I write this, I am wearing magic mormon underwear, which can be tight and tend to ride up into the crotch, so pardon my frustrations with this]. You can witness many different tactics employed that you might find quite interesting. The straw man argument [used primarily by myself and other mormons] is a big favorite and is frequently preceded by cherry-picking quotes or other material [mormons like to cherry pick from the Bible in order to appear Christian, but it’s OK when we do it!]. After the quotation the [mormon] attacker will misrepresent what has been said or what was meant and then attack their own interpretation.
Another favorite is posting scripture or statements which on their own really present no dilemma. They make something out of nothing [of course, I acknowledge mormonism is made up out of whole cloth and pretty crazy! Really, where can you find millions of gods in the Bible?!!] while never bringing up a single objection that hasnt been addressed a hundred times before [of course we claim to “address it” - we can’t claim we actually answered it, since we have no facts, evidence or logic to back us up. We “address it”].
Sometimes they cruise the headlines of the day [I know this because I have X-Ray vision and can see into their homes. I watch them all, closely, vigilantly and stalk their computers] seeking any story that might be twisted into making the Church [by “Church” I mean the cult, but Church sounds more mainstream] look bad. Anything will do, just watch the progression of posts following it and see what I mean [dang, my magic underwear is getting a bit tight-sorry].
After reading their posts, I invite you to seek the truth about whatever issue they seem to be revealing or exposing. I promise that if you do so with honest intent, the ahah moments you will have will be many and frequent [many, for instance, say, “AHAH! Now I understand why those former mormons want to spread the truth of mormonism! What a wacked out religion!”]. You will start to recognize the tactics employed [by mormons] to cleverly twist and attack and will likely chuckle the more you see [I chuckle quite a bit as I fail to ever answer a question! Heh, heh!]. In actuality, theres nothing new here. Its all been addressed [but of course, not answered] many times before.
Heres a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint [no doubt our young cultic missionaries have visited your home to tell you why your own church is a false church]. I have found that the vast majority of the issues brought up can be found and addressed [but of course not answered, since we don’t do that at mormon links, but really, you will get more objective answers at the links] below:
http://www.irr.org/mit/default.html
http://www.exmormonsforjesus.org/
http://4mormon.org/ex-mormon.php
http://www.exmormon.org/
http://www.mormoncurtain.com/
Now you will likely notice the you never address our points posts pop up as usual [we try our best to never actually ANSWER, but we do address them by posting links!].
All after providing the answers just as you have here [of course, these “answers” aren’t filled with any facts or evidence or logic - they are just our way of avoiding difficult issues until we have you hooked in our cult]. Will you wear blinders too [why not switch to wearing magic underwear!]? Seek truth. Find out for yourself.
[One more thing...
PLEASE NEVER ASK ME A QUESTION!!! In all likelihood, you are too ignorant to get a real answer. We save the “meat” for when you have already joined the cult!
In particular, please do not ask questions about:
1. Multiple mormon gods
2. How you can also become a mormon god
3. Celestial sex between the millions of gods
4. Mormon Jesus being created just like people or Satan
5. What the Holy Spirit (also created) did that was naughty
6. Magic underwear!
7. Really, any question. They have already been “addressed”
I post links that “address things”, but I never personally
answer a question. That would involve thought. It is much easier and cleaner to just post the official links to the cult headquarters.]
You continue to post falsehoods. Shame on you. You do however show everyone just how Christlike your behavior is not. You really should re-think that.
Book of moron was stolen and plagiarized from an unpublished work by Solomon Spa(u)lding, a relative of mine. This truth has passed through our family for over 100 years. the lBS denies it, but it is so interesting to see the boys on bikes try to refute it. I always preface my remarks with a statement to the effect of, “I hate to burst your bubble and shatter your beliefs, but . . .” They usually stammer that the story is old and has no basis, then I tell them how I know and they jump on their bikes and leave rather quickly. I usually try to direct them to our pastor’s home nearby without telling them his affiliation and profession. They don’t seem to show up as often as they used to. I wonder why.
“You continue to post falsehoods. Shame on you. You do however show everyone just how Christlike your behavior is not. You really should re-think that.”
Thanks for the unsolicited judgment and advice. After some
deep thought, I reject it. Here’s why:
1. I reject advice from anyone who is wearing magic underwear while typing. That alone calls their judgment into question. :-)
2. What I posted is ABSOLUTELY TRUTHFUL, 100%,
3. Unfortunately for you, all you have demonstrated is that you have feelings and links to cultic sources, but apparently cannot think clearly enough to DEFEND what you CLAIM. It is one thing to ADDRESS something. It is anther thing to ANSWER something.
4. When you make wild mormon claims, it is like the roof of a house sitting directly on the ground. There is no foundation or walls or structural support to hold it up where a roof should be.
What supports a roof (truth claim)? Walls (facts, evidence, logical argument that demonstrates the validity of a truth claim).
You continue to make wild claims of the truth of mormonism and mistakenly believe that posting links supports your fraudulent claims. Sorry Non-Defender. Your roof lays on the ground as you continue to point to it. It has no foundation of validity, nor can you (apparently) defend it.
The Apostles Paul, Peter and Jude criticized the false truth claims of their day. Paul commanded us to EXPOSE EVIL. Christ condemned the false religion of His day.
We fulfill that example and command by pointing out that
your roof is lying on the ground, has no foundation and has not a single wall.
Please continue to demonstrate daily that all you have is feelings and false links.
ampu
Bears repeating.
The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2010 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy. |
"Now the way he translated was he put the urim and thummim into his hat and Darkned his Eyes than he would take a sentance and it would apper in Brite Roman Letters. Then he would tell the writer and he would write it. Then that would go away the next sentance would Come and so on. But if it was not Spelt rite it would not go away till it was rite, so we see it was marvelous. Thus was the hol [whole] translated."---Joseph Knight's journal.
"In writing for your father I frequently wrote day after day, often sitting at the table close by him, he sitting with his face buried in his hat, with the stone in it, and dictating hour after hour with nothing between us."
(History of the RLDS Church, 8 vols.(Independence, Missouri: Herald House,1951),"Last Testimony of Sister Emma [Smith Bidamon]," 3:356.
"I, as well as all of my father's family, Smith's wife, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, were present during the translation. . . . He [Joseph Smith] did not use the plates in translation."
---(David Whitmer,as published in the "Kansas City Journal," June 5, 1881,and reprinted in the RLDS "Journal of History", vol. 8, (1910), pp. 299-300.
In an 1885 interview, Zenas H. Gurley, then the editor of the RLDS Saints Herald, asked Whitmer if Joseph had used his "Peep stone" to do the translation. Whitmer replied:
"... he used a stone called a "Seers stone," the "Interpreters" having been taken away from him because of transgression. The "Interpreters" were taken from Joseph after he allowed Martin Harris to carry away the 116 pages of Ms [manuscript] of the Book of Mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by use of a "Seers stone" which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the original character appeared upon parchment and under it the translation in English."
"Martin Harris related an incident that occurred during the time that he wrote that portion of the translation of the Book of Mormon which he was favored to write direct from the mouth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He said that the Prophet possessed a seer stone, by which he was enabled to translate as well as from the Urim and Thummim, and for convenience he then used the seer stone, Martin explained the translation as follows: By aid of the seer stone, sentences would appear and were read by the Prophet and written by Martin and when finished he would say 'Written,' and if correctly written that sentence would disappear and another appear in its place, but if not written correctly it remained until corrected, so that the translation was just as it was engraven on the plates, precisely in the language then used."
(Edward Stevenson, "One of the Three Witnesses,"reprinted from Deseret News, 30 Nov. 1881in Millennial Star, 44 (6 Feb. 1882): 86-87.)
In 1879, Michael Morse, Emma Smith's brother-in-law, stated:"When Joseph was translating the Book of Mormon [I] had occasion more than once to go into his immediate presence, and saw him engaged at his work of translation. The mode of procedure consisted in Joseph's placing the Seer Stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating word after word, while the scribes Emma, John Whitmer, O. Cowdery, or some other wrote it down."
(W.W. Blair interview with Michael Morse,Saints Herald, vol. 26, no. 12June 15, 1879, pp. 190-91.)
Joseph Smith's brother William also testified to the "face in the hat" version:"The manner in which this was done was by looking into the Urim and Thummim, which was placed in a hat to exclude the light, (the plates lying near by covered up), and reading off the translation, which appeared in the stone by the power of God"("A New Witness for Christ in America,"Francis W. Kirkham, 2:417.)
"The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret was the same manner as when he looked for the money-diggers, with the stone in his hat, while the book of plates were at the same time hid in the woods."---Isaac Hale (Emma Smith's father's) affidavit, 1834.
We can never have too much education on mormonism...
(Although the mormons may feel the exposure is like busting the OZone and too hot for their burning bosum comfort level...)
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