In an incredible testament to joseph smith s divine calling, james a. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of. Prophecies about joseph smith bible references for lds beliefs. Christ told joseph that he should not join any existing church, but. For book of mormon authors, this divine authority was necessary to preach the gospel, to organize and establish the lords church, and to perform sacred priesthood ordinances. Joseph smith and the book of mormon are at the very heart of the lord jesus christs. Joseph smith boasted he did more than jesus to keep a church together. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. But more importantly, the book of mormon is another testament of christ. Librivox recording of the book of mormon, translated by joseph smith, jr. There were prophecies isaiahs words about a sealed book which would cause the wisdom of the wise men to perish, and bring others to the lord. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present.
Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of mormonism. Where in the bible does it say or mention joseph smith is a. An assumption is being made that joseph smith must have read gilbert hunts the late war in the absence of any evidence to support it. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Smith is the only source for a great deal of the story because much of it occurred while he was the only. Prophecies about joseph smith bible references for lds. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text. Did joseph smith steal from the late war to write the book of. In fact, it mentions many books that are now considered lost, such as the book of the.
Mortality is the testing or proving ground for exaltation to find out who among the children of god are worthy to become gods themselves, and the lord has informed us that few there be that find it. What does the book of mormon teach about the temple. The book of mormon was a sacred object meant to be venerated the fact that it. The book of mormon, first printed in 1830, is currently being published in more than 80 languages worldwide. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. In fact, much of what the book of mormon teaches is contradicted by what the church teaches today. The book states that any righteous society possessing the land would be. The book of mormon is known as a second witness for jesus christ, and the bible and book of mormon are carried and used together by the missionaries and members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, thus fulfilling the scripture and the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith.
The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. This book is called the view of the hebrews and was written in 1823 and republished in 1825. Dec 07, 2016 mormons believe joseph smith translated the book of mormon over the course of about three months from gold plates, then published an initial 5,000 copies in 1830. The prophet joseph smith taught this doctrine, and it was made known to him, although we know of no such statement in any revelation in the doctrine and covenants, book of mormon, or the bible. To start at the beginning of the study, click here. We fasted and prayed sincerely that we would say only those things that. The book of mormon is known as a second witness for jesus christ, and the bible and book of mormon are carried and used together by the missionaries and members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, thus fulfilling the scripture and the sticks whereon thou. Lds scripture instructs that joseph smith, the prophet and seer of the lord, has done more, save jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in.
It was the house of the lord, a place where the lord could come and appear to his people doctrine and covenants 97. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal. My object is to let you know that i am right here on the spot where i intend to stay. The prophetic work of joseph smith rapidly unfolded as the book of mormon went. Who were the brethren to whom he made the statement. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Joseph smith didnt come up with baptisms for the dead until later, and he didnt come up with the masonic based temple ceremony until less than 2 months after he became a freemason. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. However, the passage in isaiah has nothing to do with mormonism or the book of mormon. I had talked on the prophet joseph smith and borne my witness of his divine. Alma perhaps, as well as other book of mormon prophets, according to george q. Since that time, this sacred volume has been translated into more than 100 languages, and over 150 million copies have appeared in print. The book of mormon teaches one god, not plural gods as in mormonism.
If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. Recent research has revealed that the word stick refers to a wooden, folding writing tablet see ensign, feb. The three nephites and possibly other nephite apostles, according to john taylorjd, 21. Joseph smith translated the plates into english by the gift and power of god, and the book of mormon was published in palmyra, new york, in 1830. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. The coming forth of the book of mormon started long before angel moroni. We believe that god condescended to speak from the heavens and declare his will. Ten lies i told as a mormon missionary mormonism research. Joseph smith and the book of mormon are at the very heart of the lords latterday work. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. This is a reference to the book of mormon and the bible being companion books that compliment each other.
Joseph smith boasted that he did more than jesus to keep a. We need not claim perfection for joseph smith the way we do for the savior. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Didnt joseph smith say jesus was born on april 6th. Mar 17, 2017 nephi prophesied that after the book of mormon would come forth unto the gentiles, there would be many who would believe the words which are written. Laurie mafflykipp, phd, is the archer alexander distinguished professor at the. Should we accept joseph smith as a prophet, the book of mormon and doctrine and covenants as the word of god, and the church of jesus christ of latter day saints as the true church. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Does the bible does talk about the book of mormon answers. Mar 20, 2017 the importance of the priesthood is firmly demonstrated throughout the book of mormon.
I was young, and they deceived me, by saying the salvation of our whole family depended on it. One of the interesting questions i like to pose to faithful latterday saints is this. Identifying joseph smith as the great prophet of the restoration makes other biblical prophecies relating to his divine calling become clearer. Behold, i speak unto you as if ye were present, mormon wrote mormon 8. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. The great worth of the book of mormon is that it is another testament of jesus christ. Going beyond the book of mormon, persuitte does a very thorough job of summarizing the evidence against the other famous smith translation the book of abraham from the chandler papyri. Mormonism, latter day saints church, joseph smith, book of. From 1828, when he began work on the book of mormon at age twentytwo. Devoted members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints honor its founder, joseph smith, with saintlike reverence. Did joseph smith receive an income from the book of mormon or. Why did the book of mormon originally say that joseph smith. Joseph smith and the book of mormon are at the very heart of the lord jesus. The book of mormon the keystone of the church is unquestionably the book of mormon.
According to latter day saint theology, seer stones were believed to have been used by joseph smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from god. Mormonism attempts to establish smith and his revelation as being from god on the grounds that they fulfill bible prophecy. Many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that joseph smith used this seer stone in the book of mormon translation effort. This book contained everything joseph smith needed to create the book of mormon. Joseph smith then translated these plates by the gift and power of god, and the book of mormon was published. The details of their religious views had nothing to do with the social role they played. The prophet joseph smiths statement, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, may be one of his most recognizable quotes. Emma would be an important help to the prophet throughout his ministry.
The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Why did god choose joseph smith to talk to him according. The value of the book of mormon lies not in the miracle of its translation, miraculous as it was. Millions of readers of the book of mormon find it in the sixth paragraph of the books introduction. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. For example, why did joseph say what he did regarding the book of mormon. The late war uses words or phrases that also appear in the book of mormon. Persuitte also demonstrates that joseph smiths plan for the book of mormon evolved from a nonreligious history of the precolumbians to a sacred text. However, if that is true, then why does the book of mormon contradict mormon theology. The book of mormon has been called the longest and most.
Did joseph smith steal from the late war to write the book. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of. In july 1831, the lord revealed to joseph smith that the saints were to build a temple as part of the city of zion doctrine and covenants 57. Not one with official pay stubs that the irs could tax or anything. The first kind of support given for this thesis is from the inspired version of the bible, also known as the joseph smith translation jst. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. This is the lords recompense for the controversy of zion. The next day, joseph went to the hill where the book of mormon plates were buried.
The bible is a collection of books covering more than a thousand years of history. Well also talk about critics who complain that it says jesus was born at jerusalem. Your first inquiry was, whether it was proper to say, that joseph smith jr. This is the simple, direct testimony of joseph smith, giving some of the events that led to the restoration of the gospel and the founding of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mormon founder joseph smith is said to have unsealed the book of mormon document when he was given the ancient plates by the angel moroni in order to translate and print the scripture in 1830. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of mormon.
However, despite being the keystone of the mormon religion, it does not contain any of the unique doctrines that separate mormonism from traditional christianity. Donny osmond talks about the anxieties that arose from a need to. Little was known about them before the coming forth of the book of mormon. A better question since smith didnt translate anything nor do anything like unto it with his magicrockinhat is how long had smith been working on the basic story in his. Yes or no, depending on whether you are a mormon isaiah 29.
This knowhy explores the question of why joseph could be both the author and the translator of the book of mormon by the 19th century. Well talk about why book of mormon helps date birth of christ. The event would later grow in importance to smiths followers, who now regard it as the first. Cullimore retells several events from the life of joseph smith, the mormon prophet. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. However, joseph smith claimed, if jesus christ was the son of god, and john discovered that god the father of christ had a father, you may suppose that he had a father also teachings of the prophet joseph smith, p. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith.
For many early church members, the book of mormon was a key factor in their conversion, and through the inspired teachings of modern prophets, it now plays an unprecedented role in missionary work through the world. Ive included this under the joseph smith and the book of mormon references because the two go hand in hand. Nephi prophesied that after the book of mormon would come forth unto the gentiles, there would be many who would believe the words which are written. The book of mormon is a true volume of scripture, prophesied in the bible, and brought forth by god. Nov 01, 2016 as a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. This knowhy explores the question of why joseph could be both the.
The book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ. Therefore, its logical to assume that joseph must have read this book which there is zero evidence of and used it to construct the book of mormon. Orson pratt commented that joseph often received visits from nephi and mormon, among other scriptural figures. When they say directly support, they typically mean that they are looking for a direct corroboration, such as the presence of the name nephi or zarahemla in association with ancient american archaeological data. Beyond historical problems, the book of mormon also contains errors specific to the king james bible the smith family owned. Address of the prophethis testimony against the dissenters at nauvoo.
Chris johnson, duane johnson, in a comparison of the book of mormon and the late war between the united states and great britain, propose a number of parallel sentence structures between gilbert hunts book the late war and the book of mormon. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This means that either joseph simply plagiarized directly from the bible which means he could have easily also used a document to help dictate other portions or the lord gave him the same biblical errors that the book of mormon claims were made by the great and. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author. The story of the golden plates consists of how, according to joseph smith and his contemporaries, the plates were found, received from the angel moroni, translated, and returned to the angel before the publication of the book of mormon. What role does the book of mormon play in missionary work. The book of mormon is a true volume of scripture, prophesied in.
Essentially the argument against the book of mormon goes something like this. This book does not require a rating on the projects quality scale. The simple explanation seems to be that when joseph smith wrote the book of mormon he hadnt gotten the idea of the new temple ceremonies. Publication date 20140107 usage public domain mark 1. This is a record of two groups of people who lived centuries ago on the american continent. Mormons believe joseph smith translated the book of mormon over the course of about three months from gold plates, then published an initial 5,000 copies in 1830. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. In it, joseph smith desired to restore many of the plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the lamb of god.
The process of translating the book of mormon was an education for joseph smith, and the book was central to the prophets understanding of the doctrines of the gospel and of his role in the restoration. Mar 22, 2009 however, despite being the keystone of the mormon religion, it does not contain any of the unique doctrines that separate mormonism from traditional christianity. According to his account, he was at first unable to speak as an unseen force nearly. Its four major authorsnephi, jacob, mormon, and moroniwere all eyewitnesses of the lord, as was joseph, the inspired translator of that book. I think it was because he was a humble, 14year old boy that god could trust to do what was asked and necessary to reestablish restore the full gospel of jesus christ that had been lost or distortedchanged ove. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of. Mormonism, latter day saints church, joseph smith, book of mormon. Smith translated the writing on the plates into the book of mormon, which. Better than any other body of scripture, the book of mormon shows how the priesthood was organized and how it functioned in a. It does not, nor does it claim to, contain all of the holy books ever written.
Ezekiel prophesied about the sticks of judah and joseph lehi and ezekiel join in testifying that they would grow together. Home book of mormon the book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ part 2 of 5 posted on december 27, 2018 december 26. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. Does the bible contain prophecies about joseph smith. However, in the pearl of great price, we find the following statement written by. What does the book of mormon teach about the priesthood. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. Back to mormon quotes index i wish to declare i have always an in all congregations when i have preached on the subject of deity, it has been the plurality of gods. Mormon abridged this record in his plates, and joseph smith translated it, but since it was lost by martin harris, very little is now known about it except what can be inferred from references in other texts brown, pp. Where in the book of mormon does it talk about eternal.