Good News for Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

By Robert James

It is no exaggeration to say that the Mormons (the Latter-day Saints) are a fascinating people. Since 1830, they have been a part of the great mosaic of America. Persecuted by mobs, driven from place to place, their incredible courage in the face of unrelenting hostility has wielded them into a formidable presence, especially in the State of Utah. Founded in New York State by the charismatic Joseph Smith Jr., he said he was personally commissioned by God to restore pure Christianity to the world. The Book of Mormon, this "most perfect book" was his initial written, binding revelation to his church. Joseph Smith was a controversial figure in his day-accused of being a fraud, a racist, a womanizer, a disrupter of good morals, and a dictator. One thing he did do well was to gather people into his church, make them believe in themselves, and strengthen them into being a formidable force for Mormonism. Smith led them through armed conflict against hostile neighbors, even against government militias. Gun battles and extreme violence were commonplace. Eventually, Joseph Smith was captured and assassinated, all this by age forty. Nobody was convicted of his murder. Smith is perhaps the most understudied, under-estimated, and misunderstood character in American history. "He was no ordinary man." When his successor Brigham Young led the Latter-day Saints to a place of sanctuary (today's Salt Lake City, Utah), it was one of the most epic, unifying journeys in American history. In the past, some of their unusual practices were total obedience to the leadership, blood atonement, and especially polygamy. Some of these were discarded (1890), so today most Mormons are good neighbors. However, there are Mormon "outlaws" who still practice such unsavory things, hoping to resume them all. One goal of the early saints was to conquer Missouri, next the entire country, then the world. Today, the Mormon Church is one of the wealthiest and most powerful organizations on the planet. Its influence and missionary outreach is worldwide. As possibly the fastest-growing faith in the world, maybe someday they will succeed. Then what will be next?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098007607

Robert James

Dr. Robert's life story reads very much like some of his novels. A rock 'n roll run-a-way at thirteen, he has travelled the world extensively in many professions. Blessed with many talents, Dr. Robert spent just over two decades as a performer in the music industry, before becoming an entrepreneur and creator of both audio and video productions. He holds a Bachelors in A/V and a Masters in Science Business Administration. After a major heart attack in 1998, Dr. Robert ceased his business activities, began his current career as a novelist, and also began his Doctorate in Philosophy, which he graduated in 2005 at sixty years of age. Additionally, he holds a 16 year US patent for an 'improved computer game controller', which is soon to be launched. Having started out writing a post-apocalyptic situation comedy series for television, he is now well past his millionth word of fiction.

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Good News for Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

Robert James

ISBN 978-1-0980-0759-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-0980-0760-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Robert James, MDiv, ThM

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

A Challenge to Explore

The Book of Mormon and Its Origins

LDS Works Examined and Compared

Mormonism and Science

Are the Mormon Prophecies Accurate?

Mormonism and Plural Marriages

Mormonism and Exaltation—Re-Examined

Mormonism and the Bible

The Mormon Challenge

Making a Decision

Afterword 1. The Lead-Up to the Mormon Wars

Afterword 2. The Mountain Meadows Massacre

Bibliography and Source Materials

References and Endnotes

Dedicated to my faithful and patient wife, Diane,

who has stood by my side for fifty-four years.

Foreword

Over two centuries ago, a man was born who would someday shake the world. His name was Joseph Smith Jr., the third son of Joseph Smith Sr. and mother Lucy Mack Smith. In only a brief fourteen year span (1830–1844), he founded, led, and promoted his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today it’s perhaps the fastest-growing church on earth.

What has made this church attractive enough so that some fifteen million or more call themselves Latter-day Saints (LDS)? How could one man create such an enduring religious juggernaut? These saints today have a world-wide power and influence which is simply phenomenal! The LDS Church deserves acknowledgement for its accomplishments and its people. ¹

There are more Mormons (as they are commonly called) in America than Presbyterians and Episcopalians—worldwide, more Mormons than Jews. Many experts think that Mormonism is nearing the point of becoming a major world religion—the first to emerge since Islam.

This made-in-America church was launched by Smith and was sustained in its early growth by this "religious genius," often in the face of many hard times and fierce persecution by its staunch enemies. Even the untimely, brutal death of Smith failed to stop the onward march of the Latter-day Saints! They had become that strong and dedicated. The church eventually settled in Utah—and thrived!

The driving force behind the explosive start of the Latter-day Saints was said to be Smith’s personality and charisma. Fawn Brodie, Smith’s most authoritative biographer, described him as a big, powerful, and by ordinary standards very handsome, except for his big nose, which was aquiline and prominent. His large blue eyes were fringed by fantastically long lashes which made his gaze seem veiled and slightly mysterious… When he was speaking with intense feeling the blood drained from his face, leaving a frightening, almost luminous pallor… He was no ordinary man.

Joseph Smith was an outstanding person for the early, rough-hewn American frontier. Brodie continues, The zest for living that he radiated never failed to inspire his own people with a sense of the richness of life. They followed him slavishly and devotedly, if only to warm themselves in the glow of his presence. ²*

When a Mr. John D. Lee first heard Joseph preach, he was more than impressed. Juanita Leavitt Brooks, an eminent Mormon historian, wrote of Lee’s reaction. He thought Joseph Smith carried an air of majesty that made him seem taller than his six feet as he faced the audience, and more handsome and commanding than an ordinary man. Attracting every eye and holding every heart by the sheer magnetism of his personality, he played upon the congregation as though it were a musical instrument responsive to his slightest touch. His encounter with Smith happened in Missouri, 1838. ³*

By his sheer charismatic personality, Smith launched the Mormon Church and gave it the momentum needed for its early quick growth and survival. Joseph Smith claimed to be the church’s prophet, seer, and revelator. He said he was appointed by God to restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. To know God’s will was to hear the words of this prophet. He said he was given many revelations from Jesus Christ to be followed by all true Mormons. Smith also made many predictions about future events, all in the name of the Lord.

Could it be true? Millions think so. Millions are trusting their future on the words of Smith and his successors. Joseph Smith is perhaps the most under-studied, under-estimated, under-appreciated major character in American history. The influence of his life, works and proclamations continue to this day—indeed, ever growing in importance through his followers in contemporary religion, business, and politics.

This good news presentation will look closely into these claims and their implications, not only for today’s Latter-day Saints, but also for all those outside the church. This will prove to be a truly fascinating journey of discovery!

Introduction

Rejoice! Amazing and Wonderful News for YOU!

The Good News

God loves you personally and has a wonderful plan for your life! And God wants you to live your life to the fullest! You are a person of great, inestimable value. Your life counts in so many ways—both for now and for generations to come. You are made in the image of God, so being human involves daunting responsibilities—and amazing choices!

As a Mormon, you are a member of a church organization that has many fine qualities and presents a community which seems to be loving and wholesome. Whenever the Mormon Church is mentioned, many people express their admiration for the way its people stand by one another and are ready to help (even to help non-Mormons), and for the appearance of unified, joyful families. It has promoted healthy lifestyles, plus the sacrificial character building of donating to charities. These are wonderful, attractive qualities which everyone should follow!

Who Are the Mormons?

Mormonism is the faith followed by Mormons (but who may prefer to be called Latter-day Saints—abbreviated hereafter as the LDS). This constitutes a group of people who number upwards of fifteen million, found around the world but based mainly in Utah, in the United States of America. The LDS Church might be the fastest growing church in the world. What is the reason for this?

The Mormon Church has worked hard to promote and maintain the ideals previously mentioned. It has taken out advertisements in magazines, and spot promotions on television. It has commissioned talented artists to paint personages and panoramas which are, frankly, idealistic and awe-inspiring—bigger than life! Images of strong, healthy, beaming parents and children are displayed everywhere. Mormons come across as optimistic, outgoing, chaste, helpful, and dutiful; good neighbors to have. In fact, the most attractive quality of this church might well be the Mormon people themselves! They also help strangers in need, anytime, anywhere. What could be better than that?

The LDS publications are first-class in quality and are usually free. Its buildings and temples are majestic; the followers dedicated. Mormon missionaries are polite, helpful, focused, and impeccably dressed. The Salt Lake City tabernacle choir is world class. Everything about the church appears to the outsider as clean and wholesome. No wonder the church of the Latter-day Saints is growing so quickly! No wonder so many people envy the LDS Church. It looks like a utopia on earth, and seems to offer a sanctuary in the midst of an uncaring society.

Mormons work for each other too. When they don’t have outside work, if they wish they can labor in the food storage vaults, in the distribution centers for people’s needs, or in some other facet of the church social organization. None need to be idle and nobody goes hungry.

Everybody has a roof over their head, a place to live. If a work project comes up, lots of Mormons arrive to get it done—a very practical fellowship! All in all, the LDS Church is in a class by itself. It sounds like heaven on earth! Other churches, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and so on could learn some valuable lessons from the Latter-day Saints.

A Fascinating People

"There is probably no American religious group which has a more colorful or fascinating history than the Mormons. The Mormon trek to Salt Lake City in 1846-47, for example, has become an integral part of the American saga of the settlement of the [American] West." ¹ Mormon history encapsulates the American dream of overcoming the odds and prospering, despite huge setbacks and the worst efforts of one’s enemies.

There is a heroic underdog aspect to all this which appeals to the heart and soul. In the early days of the church, mobs attacked the Mormons wherever they settled. They were driven from place to place—losing land, property and possessions, often having to sell their goods for pennies on the dollar as they fled! A brave and determined people, they finally had to trek far to the west before they could settle down in peace, and then prosper!

The question remains: despite the outward attractiveness, is the Mormon Church as ideal as it seems to be? Is there room for any exploration and improvement? After all, nothing this side of heaven is actually perfect. Many a building is grand in appearance, but the foundation must be solid, or eventually the building will collapse; the same for human organizations.

So is the foundation of this church as good and solid as the above-ground structure the world sees? Are the beliefs of the Mormon Church adequate for life on earth and for eternity to follow? Are its foundations strong and worthy of the faith? Is the present-day church deserving of its inheritance? Is there room for improvement? These are reasonable questions to ask of any organization and should always be explored, not avoided. Mormon leaders say Yes, the Latter-day Saints are worthy! Are they correct?

The Written Foundation

The initial work which established the Latter-day Saints is Joseph Smith’s The Book of Mormon. Most of the other of Smith’s works grew from that initial revelation. This book is truly the benchmark upon which the LDS Church was built. In all honesty, we should examine this book and see if it stands the test of truth. If it does, Mormon beliefs are vindicated. Are modern interpretations of the book valid? If some doubt or questions should arise, what must we do to arrive at a more proper conclusion?

In this quest, the big issues of life and death, the heavens, and faith itself will be explored, and indeed must be. Otherwise we might be following a substandard way and end up squandering our lives! Or we can be sure we are on the best path. Are today’s Mormons following properly the teachings of founder and prophet Joseph Smith, or have they gone in a different direction? One way or the other, let’s make sure of the truth! This is the challenge of the Mormon apostle Orson Pratt, who insisted that Mormons have a duty to ascertain the truth of the Mormon faith!

The Challenge of Orson Pratt

The pre-eminent Mormon apostle, Orson Pratt, issued the following challenge: The nature of the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it…those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception and be reclaimed…and those who contribute to publish the delusion may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful arguments—by evidences adduced from scripture and reason (emphasis mine). A most worthy approach sir. ²

The Challenge for Today

The search for answers has an added importance, because the Latter-day Saints have added to their original doctrine, and some major decisions, even doctrinal changes, have occurred. Also the character, assumptions, and acts of the original saints were different than those of today’s LDS Church. Different times, different folks. For example, with the renouncing of polygamy (in 1890) and its final abandonment (by 1920), the LDS Church definitely went in a new direction. Have other things changed? Do Joseph Smith’s teachings and revelations still hold true for today’s Latter-day Saints? We must be cautious when exploring such questions. (The LDS Church has been subjected to some unjust criticism in the past; so everything must be explored in proper perspective and truth.) ³

Hopefully this will not be a problem. But all areas of belief should be honestly examined and critically weighed, so that we do not waste our lives in futile religiosity. In other words, keep that which is good, and put aside that which is not—hence the quest of this book and the meaning of its title Good News!

Life’s Purpose

Rick Warren sums up the importance of looking into one’s belief system. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It is far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose… You must begin with God, your creator. You exist only because God wills that you exist. You were made by God and for God—and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only in God we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny. Every other path leads to a dead end. ⁴

Mormons Sharing Their Faith

In recent times, the Latter-day Saints Church has conducted a powerful campaign to gain acceptance by middle-class America. It mentioned Jesus Christ frequently and used lot of the terms historical Christianity has used. One should not be surprised if many people assume that Mormons are ordinary, historical Christians. Many in America are already confused about what Christianity is supposed to be, so it would be easy to assume that Mormons are just another branch of Christianity. This is not the case. The LDS Church is exclusive—in a class by itself!

In all this, Mormon doctrine is deliberately downplayed, and for a good, practical reason. Mormon theology is distinctive enough—it is special and unique—but it might give pause to the listener and bring doubt into his or her mind regarding the claims made by LDS missionaries. How can we be sure the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth? Are all LDS doctrines true (even though some might seem to conflict with others)? Many Mormon writers and scholars say Yes, they are true! They work! Are they right? Let’s have a look.

This Book’s Structure

Various areas of great interest regarding Mormonism will be explored. These will be adequate to illustrate the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they relate to LDS doctrine and also to the Bible. Often the topics open with an overview, a quick introduction, followed later by more in-depth explorations. Sometimes, they are re-introduced later as they dove-tail into other topics of interest (because so many of the concepts found in Mormonism weave together and function as complementary systems).

That is why this presentation has been structured in this way: Joseph Smith’s personal life, his testimonies, some LDS doctrine, the early history of America, and temple workings are some of the topics which are approached from different angles and in different settings. Topical investigations are conducted, rather than by chronological order. (Also some themes will be repeated a number of times, each time in greater detail. All comments, whether positive or not, are given in the spirit of love and truth for the Mormon people. They are very precious in the sight of God. They are a great, stalwart part of our society and are held in respect and highest esteem by many.)

Please note: all quotations in this write-up are given well within context. They are not lifted out of the meaning of the overall passage to make an unrelated point. Verses taken out of the Bible, quotes or paragraphs of the writings of Joseph Smith and other Mormon writers and scholars, and comments made by other authorities about the various matters raised, are all presented giving the true, honest meaning intended by the original authors. ⁵*

Statements from Mormon sources are in a special font—as are verses from the Bible—to make them stand out (otherwise all other quotations are in plain italic).

References to source materials in the References and Endnotes are given if possible, using a numbered superscript, represented here by x. A reference and/or a short note is indicated by the superscript plus an asterisk x*. Something with extended information is shown as x**.

A Challenge to Explore

This book is proposing a series of eight areas for exploration about the claims of the LDS Church to see if these scholars are correct (chapters 1 to 8). Is the Book of Mormon the most correct book on earth? Do the further writings of Joseph Smith, and the later doctrines of the church of the Latter-day Saints pass the muster? Do they agree? Is the reader strong enough in their faith to test their beliefs, to seek after the truth, no matter where it leads? This takes courage! And this is how honest inquiry by honest minds function.

The reader is encouraged to read the entire book, but is also invited to just read the topics of interest to him or her. If the reader wants to jump directly to where the biblical revelation regarding salvation is discussed, go to chapter 9 (especially 9, part B).

Joseph Smith’s Bold Stand

Joseph Smith once claimed, I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct 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. ¹ Is this claim true? Millions think so. Millions are counting on it.

Others Agree

As mentioned previously, the pre-eminent Mormon apostle, Orson Pratt, issued the following challenge: The nature of the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it…[proof must come from] strong and powerful arguments—by evidences adduced from scripture and reason. ²

Apostle Pratt, this is exactly what this write-up is intending to do, to make sure faith is rooted in good soil! This most worthwhile and proper challenge is now accepted!

Orson Pratt was one—perhaps the only one—of the apostles who had a very good education; he was a mathematician. (In stark contrast, Joseph Smith had only a partial elementary schooling, which was unfortunate because Smith had an unquestionably inborn brilliance.)

Many individual Mormons are unsure about their faith, and many know little of what their church believes. They may have wrong ideas about the Bible too. But Mormons are said to be seekers after truth and are detailed recorders of events. Therefore let us explore these beliefs and clear away any cobwebs by using primary, original sources!

This book is an honest exploration of the tremendous ideas that has emerged from the LDS Church and the publications. The challenge is for Mormons to seek after the truth in the manner urged by their own apostles. So please read on, because what you discover may confirm or change and enhance your life and those who you love. (You owe it to them at least.)

Biblical Christianity is based on historical, verifiable facts. This is an excellent test of the truthfulness of any religious belief. There will always be the aspects of any faith which cannot be physically or historically tested, but where possible, the evidence available should line up with the claims of that creed. Can Mormonism confirm this?

First though, the origins and early history of the church must be shared (as a backdrop for the rest of the good news). The below list forms the basis for all that follows:

Joseph Smith’s upbringing

How his revelations came to be

That great foundational work, the Book Mormon

The beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its early beliefs

The early persecutions against this Church

Ongoing developments after these events

Implications for today

Be aware that this report will be truthful—uncompromisingly and transparently honest. So let’s explore and see where the facts take us! It won’t be a dull ride.

Chapter 1

The Book of Mormon and Its Origins

1.1. The Early History of the LDS Church and the First Vision

1.2. The Plates and the Witnesses

1.3. More On the Origin of the Book of Mormon

1.4. Joseph Smith—His Early, Formative Years

1.5. Changes Made to the Book of Mormon

1.6. The Mormon Wars, An Introduction

The Early History of the LDS Church and the First Vision

Early History of the Mormon Church

Young Joseph’s Visions and Findings

How the Church Began

First Conflicts

In the early part of the nineteenth century, there was much unbridled religious excitement and enthusiasm in America. ¹* Between 1814 and 1830, the Baptists had moved into New York state and, being good Baptists, promptly split into small sects. Their names make an amazing listing: Reformed Baptists, Free-Will Baptists, Seventh Day Baptists, Hard-Shell Baptists, Footwasher Baptists, and many more.

In the late 1830s it was the Methodists’ turn, and it soon became the largest denomination in the state. The Presbyterians followed afterward. Multiplied evangelical meetings were held all over New York state, resulting in layer upon layer of religious enthusiasm—plus friction and confusion.

For example, William Miller and his Millerites proclaimed that Jesus Christ would return to the earth in 1843—a most definite false prophecy! Thousands were disillusioned. Unfortunately, out of this failed forecast sprang many other religious movements, indirectly perhaps, but including the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian Science. This was the spirit of the times.

Joseph Smith—The Early Years

It was in this religious environment that Smith entered the world. Joseph Smith, Jr., was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, the third son of Joseph and Lucy Smith. In 1817, when Joseph was 11, the family settled near Palmyra, New York, not far from present-day Rochester. A few years later most of the family members had joined the Presbyterian Church, but Joseph was undecided as to which church he should join. There was so much strife among the denominations, he felt, that he could not decide who was right and who was wrong. ²

In the midst of all this, young Joseph Smith, a sensitive and imaginative youth, grew to young manhood. When his family moved to Palmyra, the religious hotbed, it is no wonder Joseph became troubled by the religious confusion and infighting that abounded all around him. Also his father had moved the family five times in ten years (some sources say eleven times, others nineteen) so Joseph Smith Jr. would not have had stable, settled roots as a child.

Then from 1820 to 1830, young Joseph proceeded to lay the foundation for what would become one of the fastest growing religions in the world. His spiritual journey has the stuff of epic drama, mythology and infamous feats, making for a most interesting telling.

The Visions

One spring morning in 1820, as one account goes, in a nearby wooded area Joseph Smith claimed the promise found in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given [to] him." While he was uttering this prayer, a shaft of light began to form near him, and he saw two personages in the pillar of light. One spoke, saying, This is My Beloved Son, hear Him!

When Joseph asked which of the religious groups was the right one to join, he was instructed to not join with any of them. They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.³

Joseph’s next vision was on September 21, 1823. An angel appeared to Smith telling him of gold plates, hidden and buried, which contained the fullness of the gospel, which was revealed to the former inhabitants of the Americas by Jesus Christ Himself! The angel also told Joseph about the Urim and Thummim, forming spectacles which were to be used to translate the Reformed Egyptian symbols on the plates into plain English.

A personage had appeared at his bedside. This person was glorious beyond description. This messenger from God was named Moroni. He said, "God had a work for me [Joseph] to do, and that ‘my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues.’ He told me that a book…had been deposited, written on golden plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent and containing ‘the fullness of the everlasting Gospel’ as delivered by the Saviour to the ancient inhabitants of this land.

He also said that there were ‘two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates,’ adding that God had ‘prepared these stones for the purpose of translating this book.’"⁴

Smith claimed the personage showed him exactly where the plates were hidden. Moroni reappeared two more times that night, repeating the same message to Smith. (Poor Joseph didn’t get much sleep!)

Joseph was also told about Mormon, Moroni’s father and the author/editor of the plates, and how this man was instrumental in their preservation. The following day, Smith climbed a hill next to where he was living (the Hill Cumorah) and found the golden plates below a distinctive rock, and other items in the stone box as described by Moroni. Joseph tried to touch the items but was repelled backward, and the items disappeared.

Moroni decided to give Smith another chance, but Joseph was not allowed to keep them. He was instructed to return to this place every year on this same date for the next four years. Then, on September 22, 1827, the messenger from heaven allowed Smith to take the plates, the breastplate, and stones. Joseph was charged to keep the plates safe until the messenger would call for them later.

As Joseph explained, I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them until he, the messenger should call for them, they should be protected.⁵

When Joseph Smith was going to the burial site for the fourth time, he took his newly wedded wife Emma. (He claimed he had to marry her before he could receive the golden plates—a good excuse for Emma’s dad who strongly opposed the marriage. More on this later.)

Joseph and Emma had first met earlier in the vicinity of the nearby Stowell farm and eloped on January 18, 1827. According to Smith, they had to be married before the fourth trip to the burial site, because this would be Joe’s last chance to get the plates. (The Stowell farm had figured earlier in Joseph’s life, which is explained later in this book).

So eight months after their marriage, Joseph and Emma went together to the Hill Cumorah. They were dressed entirely in black. The carriage for the three mile trip was black, and pulled by a black horse. Emma had her back turned as Joseph dug up the stone box. He pulled out the contents and they returned home. The golden plates were six inches by eight inches and stood piled about six inches high, filled with strange symbols. ⁶*

Some Unfortunate Discrepancies

There have been controversies surrounding this official version of Smith’s visions and subsequent events. Recently much new information has come to light about these early times in the formation of the LDS Church.

According to Smith, he was born on December 23, 1805. This would make him fourteen years old, not the sixteenth year of my age as Smith first claimed.

He also said, I saw the Lord—not the two personages in the official version (see the spring 1969 edition of Brigham Young University Studies). Also in the same edition of BYU Studies we find another recorded testimony dated 1835. In it, Smith gives his age as fourteen years, but he does not mention the two personages. Also Joseph relates there that he saw many angels and one of them forgave him of his sins. This angel also testified that Jesus is the Son of God. ⁷**

The first vision of Joseph Smith, where he received his "great commission" to restore true Christianity to the earth, remains a convoluted, at times contradictory revelation. The official church account, for example, states it happened in 1820 when the boy was fourteen years of age. Other sources state Joseph was seventeen years old. (However, there are more serious problems to be mentioned than the one of chronology. Perhaps historians have confused the first visitation with some of the next three annual trips to the burial site before Joseph actually received the plates.)

Young Joseph was to join no other church according to the two personages in the vision. He was to begin a new restored church. Implicit in this first vision account were the following:

God is a man with a physical body.

The Father and the Son are two separate gods.

The earth was engulfed by total apostasy.

The Father and the Son had given their only appearance on earth to a young boy (even though Jesus stated that no one had ever seen the Father, and that He dwelt in unapproachable light).

This testimony was not published until 1842, some twenty-two years after the event. Why would this—the most important occurrence in the past two thousand years—be kept a secret for so long? During the 1830’s, most of the Mormon membership knew little if anything of this first vision.

Assistant Mormon church historian and assistant professor of history (Brigham Young University—BYU), James B. Allen admits that at the period, none of the available contemporary writings about Joseph Smith in the 1830’s, none of the publications of the Church in that decade, no contemporary journal or correspondence yet discovered mentions the story of the first vision.⁸

In 1832, Smith declared that no man could see God and live; yet in 1820, the boy Joseph claims he did look upon God and did live. Later he teaches one had to be in the priesthood to survive this, but the vision occurred nine years before Joseph supposedly became a priest. The Father was said to have a body, yet in the Lectures series that Smith taught, God was a personage of spirit (more on this later). Even more so, in Smith’s revised version of the Bible, he wrote that the Son is the Father, and the Father is the Son (Luke 10:22). Now we have both fusion and confusion. Therefore Smith’s testimony is becoming suspect.

Joseph believed the real Bible for ten years after his visions and before he started to rewrite the Scriptures. But how could God communicate with, and bless a man and his family at that time who were heavily involved in necromancy and divination, communicating with the spirits of the dead and divining the location of buried treasure?—all of which God declares in the Bible to be abominations!

More shocking, there are actually nine different accounts of this first vision, not just the official one given above. One variation was reported by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, in a letter written to her sister-in-law Mary Pierce. The letter, dated January 23, 1829, waxes enthusiastically about the finding and translating of the gold plates. Missing is any mention of heavenly visitors, whether angels or gods. But Mrs. Smith states that the Lord has made his paths known to Joseph in dreams [!]…and he is able to translate [the plates] and he is able to recover these things also indreamstherefore beware that you do not mock… (emphasis mine). Now Joseph is not having visions, but dreams! Which is it? ⁹

Concerning all this, Sandra Tanner comments, "He changes the date, he changes how old he is, he changes the motivation, why he went into the woods to pray. He changes who was there and he changes what the message was that they gave him. If he were giving us an actual account of a real experience, we would assume he would have known the first time around whether it was God or Jesus, if it was both of them, what their message was, and when it happened.

Yet we find him re-drafting this story. Well, if you were a witness of an accident and someone asked you to tell about it and if you gave accounts as divergent as those, people would say you couldn’t have witnessed the event.¹⁰ (Sandra Tanner and her husband Jerald were former Mormons who powerfully ministered to ex-Mormons.)

Except for the revised 1842 version, in none of the many accounts of the first vision is Joseph Smith claiming to see God the Father, much less in a physical body. This, however, is the version promoted today by the Mormon Church! For 130 years, the church had kept hidden the only account handwritten by Smith about his encounter. In 1833, Joseph’s personal record tells of the following:

A heavenly vision of the Lord Jesus; not an earthly visit of the Father and the Son.

The Lord tells Smith his sins are forgiven; not the Father pointing to the Son saying Hear him.

According to others, Joseph saw an angel or angels, but not God. Question: what if the angels were evil demons impersonating holy angels? This could also explain the testimony of angels by Mohammed, founder of Islam. (See 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15.)

Brigham Young never spoke of the Father and the Son; rather the Lord sent his messengers.

Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith all spoke of angels, not of the Father and the Son.¹¹

A Mormon hymnal has songs about angels, not the Father and not the Son, as given in the final first vision.

Many cults have begun by a vision—to add to, or change the revelation given in the Bible. New information is believed by people and wrongly added to the Word of God, so in judgment God sends them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie! They trap themselves by such deception and are lost (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). To reject the Word as incomplete is to open up a wide field of dangerous speculation—this is how most cults start, by adding a P.S. to Scripture. This is what Mary Baker, Jim Jones, Ellen White, Charles Russell, Rev. Moon of Korea, and so many others have done, as well as has Joseph Smith.

Smith Envisions a New Bible

Joseph Smith’s revised bible at times bears little or no resemblance to the real Bible, other than copying the King James Bible. His version injects lots of spurious ideas into the text which are there to enforce distinctive (and suspect) Mormon doctrine, especially regarding the reason for the angelic visitations. Smith even put a section into his new bible as a prediction that he (Smith) would be a seer sent by God, for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring My people unto salvation. (Genesis 50:33 of Smith’s Inspired Version—the biblical Genesis ends at verse 26. See also 2 Nephi 3:15. (Mormon apostle Bruce McConkie even outdid Joseph Smith’s massive hubris when he claimed that Joseph Smith helped God the Father in the creation of the earth!).

Interestingly, Mormons use the original King James Version of the Bible as their preferred source, not Smith’s revised version (but some of that does show up in Joseph’s Pearl of Great Price and as Endnotes in his altered King James Version). In fact, the LDS does not publish Joseph’s new version in its entirety. ¹²*

The Plates and the Witnesses

The Early Translation of the Golden Plates

The Early and Later Witnesses

The Ensuing Controversies

Once Joseph Smith received the gold plates, he could then begin to investigate what their Reformed Egyptian markings were so he could translate them. Smith and his wife Emma moved in with her father in Harmony, Pennsylvania so Joseph could have a quiet place to continue translating the plates. One wonders what was the thinking of Emma’s father in allowing this couple to live under his roof, since he so vehemently opposed their marriage, exacerbated by Joseph’s laid-back attitude, and his belief in magic.

Originally Mr. Hale would not allow Emma to marry Joseph in the first place, not because of Smith’s strange ideas, but because he was a money digger—-therefore a useless and dishonest lay-about. Smith’s then only occupation was using a peepstone to find buried treasure. (Joseph would gaze through it to see where hidden treasure was located.) Smith, in Mr. Hale’s opinion, was a never-do-well who would amount to nothing but grief for his daughter. He was right.

In Smith’s biography, however, Joseph claimed that because of persecution they had to elope—persecution brought about by Smith’s strange ideas, especially about finding golden plates through Moroni. ¹³*

But the real reason why Joseph and Emma had to elope was because of Mr. Hale’s insight into Smith’s character. He forbade the marriage. Then on January 18, 1827, as previously mentioned, Joseph Smith was married to Emma Hale when they eloped. ¹⁴*

The Translation Begins

There in Harmony, Joseph met a wealthy farmer, Martin Harris, who began assisting Joseph in the translation work. By June 14, 1828, Harris had helped Smith translate the plates into 116 pages of English. Harris took them to his home to help convince his wife of the genuineness of the work. The pages disappeared and were