>>God the Father is no witness to Joseph Smith's testimony.
I will state here and now I have received such a witness. Complain not the ye have not received such a witness, but go and seek one for your self (Just a philosophical note: Its really dang hard to prove a negative here, “No one will ever receive a witness of X”)
>>There have been no mighty works like those following the ministries of Jesus,
>>Moses, Noah, Isaiah, Elijah, Elisha, John, Peter, Paul, etc.
Please define “Mighty Work”
>>Moses didn't write about Joseph Smith
Moses was writing about Christ, why would he write about a prophet to come almost 2,000 years later? Moses did not write about you either.
>>And my point is that Joseph Smith needs to held to the same standard as any Biblical prophet.
He wrote Scriptures that have led many to believe in Christ, he prophesied of the future many prophecies have been fulfilled others are still waiting (revelations is still waiting too.)
The definitve test given in the scriptures is that the prophecies of any so-called prophet must come to pass.
So, Revelations is a lie because it has not happened yet? God Forbid.
>>God, Himself, said that if anyone claims to be a prophet, ... and those things
>>that he says don't come to pass, ... do not listen to him ... for he is a false prophet.
By that standard, Joseph Smith is a good prophet to follow.
From the Writings of Confucius “In questioning Diety, any answer is significant” I have born my testimony on this forum before, suffice it to say Joseph Smith is a prophet of God because I have received a witness that I have no doubt came directly from God as to the divinity of the Book of Mormon. I would invite all to read, Study, Ponder and Pray. Hoping to receive a testimony from God. I believe this to be good advice when you want to know if anything is “True” and “From God” those who state they “Know my religion is not true” have yet to prove anything except that they did not receive a witness as I have.
God Bless you all
When I first kneeled down and asked in a contrit spirit I never really expected an over whelming joy that would surge through my whole being!
As I was going through the lessons I would have loved to have the missionaries come every day I just could not wait to hear more!
If it was not for the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration I would never have know there was such love and peace!
That was 24 years ago and I still feel the same way today!
By that standard, Joseph Smith is a good prophet to follow.
You can't on the one hand say that Smith is a "good prophet to follow" after he failed the Deuteronomy 18 test above. You can't on the one hand claim that "living prophet" is vital and that D&C reflects some of those prophecies, when D&C 114:1 unveils a false prophecy.
"Verily, thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto the world." (D&C 114:1)
Date of "prophecy": 4/17/1838.
Date of mission mentioned in prophecy: "that he may perform a mission unto me next spring [1839]."
Date of Patten's death: 10/1838.
Bottom line: God knew who would die and who wouldn't. He was not surprised by Patten's death. God doesn't waste his breath by uttering specific names who will not be performing any mission to him...
>>God the Father is no witness to Joseph Smith's testimony.
I will state here and now I have received such a witness. Complain not the ye have not received such a witness, but go and seek one for your self (Just a philosophical note: Its really dang hard to prove a negative here, “No one will ever receive a witness of X”)
And so ... your witness (from the Father) was experiential ?
And you could not have been fooled ?
Even as Joseph Smith could not have been fooled ?
The witnesses Jesus called for His ministry were objective. Noone (not even His enemies) could deny that He worked miraculous works of God, ... and that He taught as none had taught before.
>>There have been no mighty works like those following the ministries of Jesus,
>>Moses, Noah, Isaiah, Elijah, Elisha, John, Peter, Paul, etc.
Please define “Mighty Work”
Healing the sick, raising the dead, stilling the storm, walking on water, calling the fire of God down to consume sacrifice, parting the sea, providing waterfrom a rock, building the ark, etc.
>>Moses didn't write about Joseph Smith
Moses was writing about Christ, why would he write about a prophet to come almost 2,000 years later? Moses did not write about you either.
And I have not proclaimed myself the self-annointed bearer of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith did this. Biblically, he should have had a more witness ... to substantiate his claim.
>>And my point is that Joseph Smith needs to held to the same standard as any Biblical prophet.
He wrote Scriptures that have led many to believe in Christ, he prophesied of the future many prophecies have been fulfilled others are still waiting (revelations is still waiting too.)
I've seen his (Joseph Smith's) misses.