Christianity vs. Mormonism (Part 8)

The Character of Joseph Smith

• Age 14 he supposedly had a visit by God and Jesus Christ telling him not to join any local church. A visit like this should radically change a person’s life. BUT…
• By age 21 he was arrested in Bainbridge, NY for deceiving Josiah Stowell, charged for glass looking and set before the court as a disorderly person.
• Age 22 he falls for Emma Hale and stayed at her home while on his treasure digging works. They were married.
• After a few short years, his close friends; David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, William Law and William McLellin; were all repulsed by his multiple adulteries and publicly called him an adulterer.
  

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

• Joseph Smith, according to LDS records, was “sealed” to 27 wives.

Bible: The Bible teaches in Deuteronomy 17:17, that when you establish a king, make sure that your king does not gather to himself multiple wives.

Mormonism: “The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses Vol. 11 pg. 269

Bible: One wife.

“’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’;^[so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” - Mark 10:7-9

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach” - 1 Timothy 3:2

“Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” - 1 Timoth 3:12

“if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.” - Titus 1:6

• Joseph Smith was known for his “story telling”. The whole Mormon religion is based on the validity of his story. He was 14 when it (1820) supposedly occurred and he has changed it many times. This, coupled with the fact there is not one shred of archeological evidence… why would anyone put their hope for eternity on that?

9 Variations of Joseph Smith’s Vision

1827

A "spirit" appears to Joseph telling him of a record
on gold plates at age 17.


1827

An "angel" appears to Joseph telling him he has been
chosen to be a prophet and bring forth a record on gold
plates at age 18.


1830

An "angel" tells Joseph where to find a secret treasure.
Joseph returns once a year every year before "obtaining
the plates".


1832

"Jesus Christ" appears to Joseph at age 15.


1834

An "angel"appears to Joseph in his bedroom at age 17.


1835

"Two personages" appear to Joseph in grove at age 14.


1835

Many "angels" appear to Joseph in grove at age 14.


1838

"God the Father and Jesus" appear to Joseph in grove at
age 14.


1844

Two "unidentified personages" appear to Joseph at age 14.

• “The LORD did not come… but He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith… and in formed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day…” - Journal of Discourses Vol. 2 pg. 171, Brigham Young contradicting once again, the story of Joseph Smith’s vision.

The question is, did Joseph Smith really have a vision or did he build an entire religion on his known talent of “story telling”.

Joseph Smith carried on him at all times, until his death, a Jupiters Talisman. This is a magic object that one would use to empower one with finances, power over people… power over women. These are things his life was geared towards. He wanted power, money and women. The fact that he kept that on him until death shows his trust and hope was in that magic object.