Replies

re: “Still, an open mind is a wonderful thing... I will not shut the door to whatever God’s plan might be or to His possibilities...:”

Yes, an open mind can be a good thing, but not if it considers beliefs that contradict the Scriptures. While I do not believe the Book of Mormon to be inspired, I think you will also find that it also does not teach the idea of that human beings will “evolve” or “progress” to Godhood. It does not teach that God was once a man. I realize that Mormons believe that revelation is ongoing, but new revelation, if it is indeed from God, will not contradict previous revelation. If it does, then that revelation, according to the Bible, is a lie.

As to Pat Robertson, whatever he says outside of revealed truth in the Scriptures is nothing more than conjecture - it is what the Bible teaches that is important.

Look, we are all sinners before God. What we put our faith in matters because it has eternal consequences. I implore you to consider the possibility that Joseph Smith was not a prophet and that he made up all the stuff he claims he received from God - are you open minded enough to consider that? I have checked into his claims and the “revelations” he wrote down and I’ve come to the conclusion that he was a false prophet because they contradict known revelation from the God of the Bible.

I know and love several Mormon friends. I have no animosity toward any of them, nor toward any Mormon missionary that came to my door. My animosity is toward the false beliefs and claims of a false prophet. He lied and led many, many good and descent people away from the true God of the Bible. That fills me with indignation.

I know it would be very hard to do what I ask because it is asking someone to question and doubt everything they’ve been taught - and taught by good and honest people that you’ve probably respected and admired. But, honesty, goodness, and sincerity are not guarantees that one’s beliefs are true. A person can be sincere and yet, be sincerely wrong. I hope you are willing to consider this.

Thanks for the sincere and courteous reply. Your concern shows. Much appreciated. No need for me to consider the things you suggested. Been there done that. I feel no need to defend the LDS church. It's just that when someone like the OP, with an obviously bigoted axe to grind, repeatedly starts anti-Mormon threads, I have to chime in every now and then.

You do realize that the Roman Catholic Bible has seven more books than the Protestant version? Some on this forum have stated (and I have yet to verify) that they were removed because they would contradict Sola Scriptura doctrine/teachings. The Mormons believe that the Bible is correct in so far as it was translated correctly. Who would argue with that? Who's to say it is complete? The Catholics don't believe the Protestant versions are.

At the very least the Book of Mormon could be inspired fiction. Have you read the parts about the Gadianton robbers and secret combinations? It could explain a lot about what is happening today. To a tee. You are correct, it does not claim that human beings will “evolve” or “progress” to Godhood (those teachings came later). It merely claims to be a Second Witness of Jesus Christ on the American continents. To that end, I will accept that it may well be what it claims.

Joseph Smith was indeed a strange character. He may well have had revelations from God, perhaps not. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it either way. I do think the Book of Mormon is worth reading. There is a lot of truth in it. That said, even if it is what it claims to be, that doesn't mean the LDS church as presently constituted is true. Perhaps Joseph Smith went off the deep end after a few years, perhaps not. Perhaps a Second Witness was all that was called for at the time. Perhaps not. I don't know.

I do know man has a tremendous propensity to screw up anything that is good and wholesome... or to replace truth with lies. I trust that God will set things straight.... if only we will listen and be open minded. Peace...

Oh, if I was going to join ANY church right now, it would be the Catholic Church. I honestly believe that the issue is between Mormonism and Catholicism. IMO, the Protestants barely have a leg to stand on, if at all. And then we have the OP going on and on and on... You see why I poped up on this thread? ;-)