My Apology to Mormon Readers

You have written demanding an apology for my recent characterization of the Mormon religion as "non-Christian." I am happy to write a public letter of apology to you and to the countless Mormon readers who responded negatively to my characterization.

I am sorry that so many of my Mormon readers have brazenly accused me of ignorance of their religion and suggested that I read the Book of Mormon. I am sorry that they were unaware that I read the Book of Mormon back in 2006.

I am sorry that the science of genetics has refuted claims made in the Book of Mormon concerning the relationship between Native Americans and Semitic people. These refutations undermine the entire historical premise of the Book of Mormon.

I am also sorry that while archeological discovery supports the claims of the Bible it clearly does not support the claims of the Book of Mormon. Battles that were supposed to have occurred in specific locations in North America simply never took place. The archeological evidence just isn't there.

I am sorry about the plagiarism of the Holy Bible that runs through the Book of Mormon. I am sorry that Mormons cannot see that Joseph Smith's refusal to reveal the golden tablets is strong evidence of their nonexistence. The heavy plagiarism in the Book of Mormon puts the lie to the rest of the story of Smith, the former seeker of the lost treasures of Captain Kidd.

I am sorry that my Mormon readers have put all their eggs in one basket by constantly writing to me quoting Matthew 7:16. So I am sorry that I must now apply that verse to the very first Mormon.

I am sorry that among the 33 well-documented plural wives of Joseph Smith, there were close to a dozen unions in which the wife was already married to another man.

I am sorry that in his lifetime, Joseph Smith married four different pairs of sisters. I am sorry that Joseph Smith married a young woman and also married her mother.

I am sorry that some of Joseph Smith's marriages were the result of religious coercion secured only after he told the prospective bride that marrying him would ensure the bride’s place in heaven. I am sorry that Smith also coerced teenagers into marrying him by promising their families a place in heaven.

I am sorry that Joseph Smith kept fourteen-year-old Helen Mar Kimball from marrying her sweetheart Horace Whitney because he wanted to marry the teenager instead. I am sorry that Joseph Smith also asked Helen’s father Heber C. Kimball to give him his wife.

I am sorry that before he eventually married Helen, Joseph Smith gave her a 24-hour deadline to give in to his offer of a place in heaven. I am sorry that two years after the death of Joseph Smith, Helen married her old sweetheart Horace Whitney. I am sorry that the marriage between Helen and Horace was only temporary because Helen was already "sealed" by marriage to Joseph Smith for eternity. I am sorry that Horace Whitney was "sealed" to an already dead Mormon woman before his “temporary” marriage to Helen.

I am sorry that after her mother died, Joseph Smith approached teenager Lucy Walker with a command that she marry Smith with the threat of eternal damnation as the punishment if she refused. I am sorry that the year before Joseph Smith died, he said the following to Lucy: “I will give you until tomorrow to decide (whether to marry me). If you reject this message the gate will be closed forever against you.”

I am sorry that the Book of Mormon, which Joseph Smith claims to have transcribed from the golden plates given to him by the Angel Moroni, says the following: “Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, Saith the Lord.” (Jacob 2:24).

I am sorry that Joseph Smith said the following shortly before his death: "(W)hen I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my father, so that he may obtain kingdom among kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself.”

I am sorry that Smith’s polytheism is not consistent with John 14:6. I am also sorry that since these are the words of Christ, polytheism cannot be Christian. Moreover, I am sorry, my Mormon friends, but the the words of Christ trump the words of Joseph Smith who will never be God.

I am sorry that Mormonism teaches that Christ was not there in the beginning, that god was just a man who became God by following a moral code he did not create, and that we may all become gods by following the same moral code that predates the existence of Jesus. I am sorry that the theological mess caused by Joseph Smith is irreconcilable with the teachings of the Holy Bible.

Finally, I am sorry that my Mormon readers have unfairly accused me of criticizing Mormonism without doing my homework. But I am glad I did. Now I understand the significance of Galatians 1:6-9.

No, I'm not lifting up man to God's status. That would be an absurdity, since our knowledge and virtue are as nothing compared with His.

Then why did you say actual scientific evidence ...is just as authoritative as Scripture? You say one thing and when questioned you say something different and what is already known. The little dance of evading to back up your own words of scientific evidence ...is just as authoritative as Scripture is noted in each post.

So we can discern His Word in both what He created and what He inspired.

Christians BELIEVE His Word - and His Word is spiritually discerned. His Word can't be discerned through nature but by His Spirit.

Again, here's another non answer God did not create Evil per se.

I posted 'Evil is real and is God the master of that? in response to your I mean that God is the Master of all reality. BACKING away from your own words, once again, we not desire to correct your own words.

and not just the Master of the text.

Text? What is 'text' about this...

"For the Word of God is ALIVE and ACTIVE. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:6

Man made teachings are text, merely, words instituted by man to be believe by those easily duped/deceived. “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Now back to your first words of this post No, I'm not lifting up man to God's status. That would be an absurdity, since our knowledge and virtue are as nothing compared with His.

Yet you believe in the 'infallibility' of certain men? So much for your 'no, I'm not lifting up man to God's status'.

"Then why did you say actual scientific evidence ...is just as authoritative as Scripture?"

Because they are both the works of God. Neither one depends upon man at all. Yes, man can try to interpret the natural world, its characteristics and laws, just as he tries to interpret Scripture, but God is the author and creator of both, in a manner that indicates His greatness, and not man's greatness.

The misunderstanding, here, may possibly arise from the idea that Scripture is God's but science is man's. This division does not hold.

And "infallibility"? No, I do not believe that any man (other than Christ) is infallible in the positive sense you evidently mean. I do know that no man has the power to lead the whole Church into error on questions of faith and morals. Please notice that this does not refer us to any particular man's (for instance, the Pope's) power, but his powerlessness: he will not be able to do it.

"Then why did you say actual scientific evidence ...is just as authoritative as Scripture?"

Because they are both the works of God. Neither one depends upon man at all.

Wow! Assigning 'seeking scientific evidence' to what 'man/evil does' to GOD??

What part of FAITH excludes you? What part of Hear and Obey and 'only BELIEVE' is repulsive to you? What part of Thomas wanting 'evidence' excites you?

The misunderstanding, here..

There was no misunderstanding your words. So you are suggesting....confusion. Not surprised about that either.

Mortal man 'seeking scientific evidence' of the works of supernatural God and His universe is not a work of God BUT a work of PRIDE!! As is those who cannot understand/confused about God's Words..."And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day....And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day...And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

There is nothing confusing about that - but those who think it is - are pawns of satan because that's what he does cause confusion and they oblige him....Did God really say?

I know what God created and it's not evil and it's not confusion and it's not wanting 'evidence'. One either believes ...hear and obeys His Word or they don't.

And "infallibility"? No, I do not believe that any man (other than Christ) is infallible in the positive sense you evidently mean. I do know that no man has the power to lead the whole Church into error on questions of faith and morals. Please notice that this does not refer us to any particular man's (for instance, the Pope's) power, but his powerlessness: he will not be able to do it.

Lots of gobbly gook and doubt speak there. Man is either infallible or he isn't! It is a either 'yes' or 'no' or it's more of 'not hearing and obeying' His Word.... "God is no respector of persons" and there is ONLY ONE GOD! And HIS CHURCH is based on HIS WORD ALONE and it has no errors. Only a counterfeit church is riddled with damnable errors through 'man-made teachings' which is their final authority and where man submits to man whic is satan's kingdom.

NO MAN is infallible - only satan wants to proclaim someone is infallible so 'man' can be lifted up as God - what he proclaimed he would do and he did through it through Rome.

GOD'S WORD is the FINAL AUTHORITY. Man either submits to GOD ALONE or by default he submits to evil/man with it's man-made teachings. Submit wholly to God or there is no submission to God and the children of the dark remain the children of the dark.

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