Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity

Weekly Gatherings and Broadcasting

“LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM”

• SALT LAKE CITY UTAH –

This is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 25 Jim the “second” Jesus June 19th, 2012.

And I’m your host, Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.. We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight.

Sundays – CAMPUS: 10AM for Milk (Studying Matthew) 2:30 for Meat (Studying Romans) Show up. Go to www.c-a-m-p-u-s.com for more information. Also on Sundays AM 820 replays Heart of the Matter from 1-2 in the afternoon. AM 820 is a great source of Christian information. Check them out.

Finally, every Monday Night at the Downtown Salt Lake City Denny’s we hold a Women’s Bible study. Starts at 7PM. Join the women-folk to learn more about the “Most Correct Book on the Face of the Earth” and to find sistership on the spot.

Understanding Mormon Theology

Last week we received a call from a man named Robbie, who would NOT, for the life of him, answer a question from me. Robbie claims that Mormonism is Christian. Now, you have to understand, Christianity is founded on a few set principles. One is salvation means living with Heavenly Father after this life. Another is this salvation is granted by grace through faith in the shed blood of Christ. And a third is there is nothing a person can do to add or take away from the finished work of Christ on the cross.

When Robbie called, he laid claim to being “Christian,” and as a Mormon, even used terms like "because of His Grace," etc. to fortify his claims. So I asked Robbie a simple question: “Does an active Latter-Day Saint who has been through the Mormon temple have to wear their garments to please the Father in order to live with Him?” Having been LDS and having gone through the temple, the answer to this query is an unequivocal “yes.” Temple attending Mormons covenant before God to wear their temple undergarments night and day. To not would be breaking their vow to God and ANY active Mormon knows that in LDS parlance, this would not be living worthily to enter into the highest degree of the celestial Kingdom.

Well, apparently Robbie got so flustered he wrote an op-ed piece to the Logan Herald Examiner. And this is what it said:

To the editor: “Recently I talked with a preacher on local television who claimed “Mormons” were not Christian and proceeded to denigrate their methods of worship. I tried to explain I was uncomfortable with him casting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in such an ugly light as he had, and I further declared we worship Jesus, and believe it is only through His grace by virtue of His atonement that we are brought back to our Heavenly Father.”

First of all, Robbie states here that “we (meaning the LDS) worship Jesus.” This is absolutely NOT true. They believe Jesus and the Father are two separate and distinct beings and they ONLY worship the Father. Then he wrote: … and we “believe it is only through His grace by virtue of His atonement that we are brought back to our Heavenly Father.” It was to this statement I took exception. Robbie’s letter to the editor continued:

“He gave indication he did not believe that was our position. Furthermore, he asked me a question I felt I could not answer with a simple yes or no. The question concerned our sacred worship in temples. I do not wish to start down the path of publicizing anything sacred, but touching on only one point concerning a somewhat outward sign of an inward conviction — wearing clothing that we honor.”

I have no idea what this paragraph means. But it seems like it took form in Robbie’s attempt to not really say anything but to sound like he was. Anyway, he goes on… saying: “His question was whether or not a person can get to heaven without wearing this clothing. In answer to his question, I cannot provide a simple yes or no, but I will try to explain what I believe.”

Here, Robbie slips into the Mormon mode of saying, “I refuse to answer your question with the truth (because this would implicate me and my faith) so I am going to guise the truth by stating “what I believe” which, Robbie, is meaningless. It’s what Mormonism teaches that matters, not your own personal take. But listen.

LDS Practices and Biblical Teachings

to Robbie’s reasoning and logic – it IS typical of the inane word-smithing and spin most LDS use when attempting to justify or rationalize their non-biblical ideas, doctrines, and practices. Ready? “Many people wear a ring on their left ring finger typically signifying they are in a committed marriage relationship. Marriage for most religious people is considered sacred (a covenant relationship with God). If they do not wear their wedding ring after marriage there may be multiple reasons (the nature of their job, physical limitations, lack of funds to replace a lost ring, etc.). However, if a married person removes their ring because they plan to contradict their marriage vows, that person is in the process of rejecting their commitment to God and thereby logically jeopardizes the state of their well-being with God. In this case the ring was not the commitment, but it was a tool to support the commitment. The same is true for those who have made covenants with God in temples — part of keeping temple covenants is maintaining the reminder of those commitments by wearing what are considered sacred clothing. If someone commits to God with real intent, then they should do all they can to keep that commitment in order to enjoy the expected results. If they err and sincerely want to come back to their commitment there is repentance. In short, I cannot say yes or no to the original question, it obviously depends on intent.” What? Huh?

Temple Garments vs. Wedding Rings

Robbie called in and insisted then, and here again in this letter to the Editor, that Mormonism teaches salvation by grace alone. I asked Him a point blank question in the face of this claim: “If this is true, Robbie, tell me – YES OR NO – does a temple endowed Mormon have to wear their garments to live with God after this life.” That was the question. His letter to the Editor obfuscated the point with a wholly faulty analogy. First of all, wearing a wedding ring has NO bearing to wearing Temple Garments because you promise to wear those garments day and night – so as to be pleasing to God – and a person only wears the ring as a symbol of their committed love to another. If garment wearing is merely a symbol and NOT requisite to pleasing God, why didn’t you say so, Robbie? You know why. And it is this VERY type of Mor-manipulation that makes dealing with them so difficult.

Claims of Christianity and Belief in Christ

GRAPHIC of Robbie’s Letter to the Editor

Last week we left off in John chapter 8 where Jesus said,

23 Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

In the very next verse He said something even more significant to the Mormon/Christian debate.

24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.”

Again, Jesus said to these Jewish leaders:

“If ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.”

One of the big claims Mormonism TODAY makes on the world is that it is Christian. When pushed on this, they often add: “I mean, His name IS in the title of our church.” Is having the name in the title of a church enough to make the Mormon church a Christian church? I think what Jesus says here gives us an inclination of the answer. Notice that Jesus doesn’t say to them: “If ye don’t believe in me you will die in your sins” but He says, “If you don’t believe that I AM . . . ye shall die in your sins.”

The Significance of "I AM"

Why did He say it this way? In the previous verse he had just explained that He came from above (and that they were from below) and now He is telling them, “If you don’t believe that I Am.” Why I am?

When Moses was told to go to Egypt in the name of God, he asked Him: What shall I tell them your name is? And God (GOD!) replied in Exodus 3:14:

“I AM THAT I AM:” and he said, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

To the Jews, this name “I AM,” translated from the Hebrew means: “The God who has always been, am, and shall be: the God almighty, by whom all things have their being, and the

Understanding Beliefs about Divinity

God of mercy, mindful of my promise.

Back in the New Testament, when in a heated discussion with another group of Jews, the Lord said something to them that caused them to pick up rocks to kill Him on the spot – what did He say? He said: “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

Yes, the LDS have the name Jesus Christ in the official title of their church. But do they believe that He is . . . “The God who has always been, am, and shall be: the God almighty, by whom all things have their being, and the God of mercy, mindful of my promise.” No . . . they don’t. And as a result, they run a great risk of . . . dying in their sins.

Special Guest: Jim Johnson

Well tonight we are taking a departure from our investigation into the contents of the Book of Mormon because of the presence of a very special guest. A few weeks ago Derrick informed me of a New Church that was forming and meeting here in town. I was intrigued as the church was called, Church of the Latter-Days and was formed by Jim Johnson – who is our guest tonight. Jim, welcome. Tell us about yourself.

Viewer Engagement and Support

Hey, Jim, it was really nice to meet you and thank you for being on our program. I would love our LDS viewers to call in and explain something to me: “Is Jim’s revelation acceptable?” “What are the differences between his experience and Joseph Smith’s?” Let’s open up the phone lines: (801) 973-8820, (801) 973-TV20.

Our ability to remain on the air and functioning as a viable ministry is directly related to you. Your prayers . . . Your sharing the ministry and program with others . . . And, if you are in a position AND if the Lord leads, through financial support. If so inclined, please prayerfully consider the following:

Offers and Announcements

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COMMENTS:

4. Hello Shawn, I am a big fan of the show but I just have a few concerns I’d like to express… I am not a Mormon but I live among them. They have tried to get me to church time after time but I am simply not interested. I will say though that they are some of the nicest people I know and I’m sure you’d agree. The difference I notice with them, and with you is that they simply invite rather than attack. Their missionaries invite me rather than tear me apart (which is what I feel you do). I honestly feel that if you were to take that approach you might have better success. When people are nice to you, you seem to listen to them more. I apologize if you feel I’m "calling you out" but I just thought maybe you could consider what I said. May God bless us.

Exploring Contradictory Scriptures

COMMENTS

#5

Shawn, can you help clarify the scripture, which says that "no one at any time has seen god." ? I believe it, but then we have several scriptures saying otherwise, such as 1 Kings 9:2 saying "That the lord appeared to Solomon the second time, As he had appeared to am at Gibeon…" I don't feel very equipped to harmonize these contradictory statements. Thanks for your hard work God Bless!! Ben W.

Queries About Church Names

COMMENTS

#6

Steve C writes:

IF JOSEPH SMITH WAS A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD AND KNEW THAT THE NAME OF "JESUS CHRIST” HAD TO BE IN THE NAME OF GOD'S TRUE RESTORED CHURCH, WHY DID HE ORIGINALLY CALL HIS CHURCH THE "CHURCH OF CHRIST"–OMITTING THE NAME "JESUS?" AND IF HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD MADE A MISTAKE, WHY DID HE CHANGE THE NAME TO THE "CHURCH OF GOD"–OMITTING THE NAME "JESUS CHRIST?" AND IF HE REALIZED THAT THAT TOO WAS WRONG, WHY DID HE CHANGE THE NAME TO THE "CHURCH OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS"–AGAIN OMITTING THE NAME JESUS CHRIST?" ONLY ON THE FOURTH GO AROUND DID HE FINALLY GET IT CORRECT. WHY–IF HE WAS A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD?

Personal Reflections on Belief

COMMENTS

#7

STUPID QUESTION: My Mother says that "even if the LDS church isn't true she wouldn't leave; they teach morality, love, and compassion. How can a just God hold that against me."

FYI: Mom and Dad sold there home to finance there mission. Returned to live in my brothers basement. Weekly activities are Temple, Church, Doctor, and Smith's (Grocery). I am so angry, Shawn. I intend on having my name removed as soon as my records arrive. (I moved so my elder brother would not be the Bishop to physically deal with it): – Just provide a simple game plan – I am so weak – Yesterday I came across Richard Packman's site – Reading way too much – Luckily my LDS training kicked in and I clicked out, – I am so unhappy.

Mark E

Experiences with LDS Community

COMMENTS

#8

About a year ago, I was praying for the Lord to introduce me to a teacher who would clarify the heart of the Gospel for me, and I believe God answered that prayer through introducing me to your videos. Your teaching has helped clarify what the gospel is and, more than that, create a thirst in me for pure grace (the essence of the Gospel, and the best part of your teaching). Thank you, my brother.

But, your teaching has also had another benefit–I have learned a heck of a lot about Mormon doctrine. Little did I know that knowing LDS doctrine would come in handy. We live in a Big Ten university town, so there is a significant LDS community. Recently, my Assemblies of God Church was having a knock-on-your-door grocery give away for a hurting section of town, and five LDS missionary elders and two younger LDS guys showed up to help our church do the give away. (Someone had invited them).

At first, I was a uncomfortable that they would be included in our outreach and might confuse people, "Wait a minute, what church you from???!" But, I wasn't in charge, and, frankly, chomping at the bit to talk to these guys after logging scores of hours listening to your show.

Soooo, I made sure I was paired up with the LDS guys to go knock on doors (and, let's face it, NOBODY can beat LDS guys when it comes to knocking on doors. Funny, one of the LDS guys joked, "Maybe now people will actually want to talk to us!" (alluding to the fact he had a big bag of groceries and toiletries to give away–funny the LDS had never thought of that before)).

Going door to door with the LDS guys had some awkward moments where I felt like adding subtext to my dialogue: "Hi, I am Steve from Stone Creek Church [a REAL Christian church] and these nice guys are [er…uh…er..uh] some friends from the LDS church [DON'T GO THERE!] down the road, and we're here to just meet folks…." Anyway, it WAS a bit odd–but I enjoyed the LDS guys, and I thought that maybe my real purpose for the day was what I was about to do…

After going door to door, I said, "Guys, there are five elders here and two elders in training–so that counts as SIX LDS studs–I want you to give me your BEST SHOT–give me your absolute best pitch on why I should become LDS". I could not have lobbed

Engaging with Mormon Beliefs

I really wasn't scared because after listening to your show for several months, I felt like I had heard all the arguments before on your show, and now had some working knowledge of the book of MormOnion.

First, I will say, I found the guys to be really sweet in some ways. I mean, I really cherished my sort of brotherly friends from my early adulthood days, and it pained me at times to begin blowing some holes in their logic and arguments. Remember, I asked them for their BEST shot, and their salvo given by a sweet young man was, basically that since the time of Christ and after all the apostles died out, the church has lost its way. Some have tried to restore it, but all lacked the authority until God gave the authority to restore the church to Joseph Smith.

I said, "So, basically, what you are trying to sell me on is that you have the restored, true Church." I really appreciated the sweetness of the young man who was speaking, but, honestly, in my heart I was thinking, "That's your best shot???"

Conversations with Believers

Other parts of the conversation went like this:

"Steve, I can bear you testimony that Joseph Smith is the Prophet and he wrote the book of Mormon."

"But, Elder Johnson, people in many different religions have 'testimonies' and burning bosoms….Doesn't it bother you that there is NO artifact evidence to support the book of Mormon?"

Awkward silence. Pained look. I couldn't help feeling a bit bad. Again these guys were really nice.

At another point in the conversation, "But, Steve, what do you trust more, your direct revelation with God or things you can see and feel?"

"But, elder Smith, that's a false dilemma. It doesn't have to be either or. It can be both. With the Gospels you have both….etc.

I could go on. Suffice it to say, your ministry, brother Shawn, helped me be prepared both with content and with a heart that really wanted to see these brothers freed from what basically amounts to the law of Moses reheated and served again (and leftovers are never as good as the original) by Joseph and his followers. I hope I planted some seeds.

Best,
Steve R.
Champaign, Illinois

Personal Reflections on Faith

Guest commentary: Joseph Smith’s flaws don’t make Mormonism a fraud
By MELISSA INOUYE
Religion News Service
Published: June 18, 2012 08:13PM
Updated: June 18, 2012 02:45PM

Mormon founder Joseph Smith. My childhood memories of decorating the family Christmas tree include a growing appreciation of the fine line between delight and disillusion. Each year, we took the strands of colored lights out of their boxes, wound them around the tree, and held our breath as we plugged them in. Would the lights spring to life, or would a single broken light condemn the whole string to sullen darkness? Some people feel the same way about faith.

A recent article on Salon.com titled “But I’m a good Mormon wife” gives a poignant account of the unraveling of an LDS woman’s faith as she confronted various details of her church’s history for the first time. “If Joseph Smith was a fraud, then what did that make the church?” she asks. A chorus of comments following the article congratulated her for reasoning her way out of religion.

I don’t criticize her decision to leave Mormonism, but I have to disagree with the article’s implicit conclusion that leaving Mormonism — or indeed any religious tradition — is the only logical choice for a rational, educated person. The logic behind this loss of faith — Joseph Smith was a fraud, therefore the religion that he founded is phony, and one’s entire experience as a Mormon is bogus — is actually just the reverse of how many Mormons approach their faith. If the Book of Mormon is true, the thinking goes, then everything Joseph Smith did or said was divinely inspired. And if Joseph Smith was divinely inspired in everything, then everything about the church is just how God wants it.

I am an active Mormon and I love my church. At the same time, I can empathize with the disillusionment felt by those who investigate LDS history for the first time after having been exposed only to sanitized versions of church history. If a person looks at faith like a string of Christmas lights, they demand that “light” leap from one point to another along a single string of connections. If one junction along the string is flawed, then the whole string is dysfunctional. Or, if the whole string

The Complexity of Religious Traditions

Here’s the problem with the Christmas-light view of religion: It’s too easily manufactured and too easily broken. As a young girl in Sunday School, just hearing tear-jerking stories about hardy Mormon pioneer women pushing handcarts across the Great Plains filled me with religious certitude. Surely, I thought, the pioneers would not have suffered for something that wasn’t true. The other side of the Christmas-light perspective also makes it easy to discredit an entire faith tradition. All you have to do is knock out a single light and, kablooey, the whole tradition is dysfunctional, bogus, and unworthy of the loyalty of intelligent people.

Human flaws are painfully apparent throughout the history of every major religious tradition, including Mormonism, but that doesn’t negate the experience, motives, or morals of all Catholics, Anglicans, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, or Mormons. I have encountered both the humanness and the divinity of religious traditions in my own life. I have studied Mormon history and I am just as certain that early leaders such as Joseph Smith were imperfect individuals who on occasion made serious and damaging missteps as I am certain that Joseph Smith was indeed inspired in founding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with its rich doctrines and bold avenues of sacred experience.

In instances too numerous to describe, I have experienced what Mormons refer to as the influence of the Holy Spirit — sometimes in the form of a profound, transformative empathy, sometimes in the deep impression that Christ’s grace mattered and was real to me. Sometimes it was as simple as the desire to do better and to be good. I value these experiences, and the religious tradition within which I interpret them, with both my heart and mind. So if the Christmas-lights approach to faith doesn’t work, we need something else. Something like sourdough bread.

The Sourdough Analogy

I bake our family’s bread with a sourdough starter that, according to tradition at least, came across the Plains with the Mormon pioneers. Artisan sourdough bread with a golden crust that crackles and a creamy interior with large, irregular holes, and complex flavors doesn’t just happen. Enzymes must work to break apart tasteless starch molecules in the raw flour so that the wild yeasts can feed on simple sugars and create bubbles of carbon dioxide that stretch strands of gluten. Strains of bacteria compete for dominance in creating an acidic environment.

From start to finish, it’s all a process of fermentation — what we would normally call “food going bad.” It begins with the starter, an unruly colony of wild yeasts and bacteria swimming together in starchy soup. There is nothing lovely or pure about sourdough starter. Its exuberance makes it sour on the verge of stinky, fermented bordering on decayed. Yet, when introduced into a properly balanced supply of flour, water, and salt, the starter is a catalyst for building a complex, living community that results in heavenly bread.

Appreciating the Goodness

Religious traditions, like sourdough, are complex, living things. They are both organization and organism, created and sustained from many different processes and actors, shaped by time and their environment. They even can be naturally subject to corruption. And yet they are also susceptible — through this same process of leavening — to producing goodness. Appreciating this goodness, and engaging productively with the complex processes that create it, is a project of intellect, not ignorance.

Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye holds a doctorate from Harvard University in East Asian languages and civilizations. She currently lives in Hong Kong, where she is writing a book on the history of the True Jesus Church and Protestant Christianity in China.

Mormon History

Mark Twain on the BOM – 1861
"I am not given to exaggeration, and when I say a thing I mean it." Page 85
Roughing It – Chapter 16, pages 107-115

All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the "elect" have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so "slow," so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle–keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason.

Examination of Language Style in Scripture

seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament. The author labored to give his words and phrases the quaint, old-fashioned sound and structure of our King James's translation of the Scriptures; and the result is a mongrel–half modern glibness, and half ancient simplicity and gravity. The latter is awkward and constrained; the former natural, but grotesque by the contrast. Whenever he found his speech growing too modern–which was about every sentence or two—he ladled in a few such Scriptural phrases as "exceeding sore," "and it came to pass," etc., and made things satisfactory again. "And it came to pass" was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.

The Title Page of the Book of Mormon

The title-page reads as follows:
THE BOOK OF MORMON: AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON, UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI.
Wherefore it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God. An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also; which is a record of the people of Jared; who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven. "Hid up" is good. And so is "wherefore"–though why "wherefore"? Any other word would have answered as well–though–in truth it would not have sounded so Scriptural.

Next comes:
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes; nevertheless the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with Him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

OLIVER COWDERY,
DAVID WHITMER,
MARTIN HARRIS.

Skepticism and Belief

Some people have to have a world of evidence before they can come anywhere in the neighborhood of believing anything; but for me, when a man tells me that he has "seen the engravings which are upon the plates," and not only that, but an angel was there at the time, and saw him see them, and probably took his receipt for it, I am very far on the road to conviction, no matter whether I ever heard of that man before or not, and even if I do not know the name of the angel, or his nationality either.

Next is this:
AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES.
Be it known

Testimonies and Texts of the Mormon Faith

unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, God bearing witness of it.

CHRISTIAN WHITMER, JACOB WHITMER, PETER WHITMER, JR., JOHN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JOSEPH SMITH, SR., HYRUM SMITH, SAMUEL H. SMITH.

The Foundation of Belief

And when I am far on the road to conviction, and eight men, be they grammatical or otherwise, come forward and tell me that they have seen the plates too; and not only seen those plates but "hefted" them, I am convinced. I could not feel more satisfied and at rest if the entire Whitmer family had testified. The Mormon Bible consists of fifteen "books"–being the books of Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Mosiah, Zeniff, Alma, Helaman, Ether, Moroni, two "books" of Mormon, and three of Nephi.

In the first book of Nephi is a plagiarism of the Old Testament, which gives an account of the exodus from Jerusalem of the "children of Lehi"; and it goes on to tell of their wanderings in the wilderness, during eight years, and their supernatural protection by one of their number, a party by the name of Nephi. They finally reached the land of "Bountiful," and camped by the sea. After they had remained there "for the space of many days"–which is more Scriptural than definite—Nephi was commanded from on high to build a ship wherein to "carry the people across the waters." He travestied Noah's ark–but he obeyed orders in the matter of the plan. He finished the ship in a single day, while his brethren stood by and made fun of it–and of him, too–"saying, our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship." They did not wait for the timbers to dry, but the whole tribe or nation sailed the next day. Then a bit of genuine nature cropped out, and is revealed by outspoken Nephi with Scriptural frankness–they all got on a spree! They, "and also their wives, began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness."

Nephi's Struggles and Faith

Nephi tried to stop these scandalous proceedings; but they tied him neck and heels, and went on with their lark. But observe how Nephi the prophet circumvented them by the aid of the invisible powers: And it came to pass that after they had bound me, insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work; wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuch that there arose a great storm, yea, a great and terrible tempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for the space of three days; and they began to be frightened exceedingly, lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not loose me. And on the fourth day, which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceeding sore. And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea.

Then they untied him. And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed, the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm. Equipped with their compass, these ancients appear to have had the advantage of Noah. Their voyage was toward a "promised land"–the only name they give it. They reached it in safety.

Practices and Changes in Beliefs

Polygamy is a recent feature in the Mormon religion, and was added by Brigham Young after Joseph Smith's deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.. Before that, it was regarded as an "abomination." This verse from the Mormon Bible occurs in Chapter II. of the book of Jacob:

For behold, thus saith

The Righteousness of the Lamanites

The Lord, this people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the Scriptures; for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord; wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. Wherefore, I the Lord God, will no suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. However, the project failed–or at least the modern Mormon end of it—for Brigham "suffers" it. This verse is from the same chapter:

1. Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate, because of their filthiness and the cursings which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our fathers, that they should have, save it were one wife; and concubines they should have none.

The Teachings of Jesus and His Disciples

The following verse (from Chapter IX. of the Book of Nephi) appears to contain information not familiar to everybody:

2. And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children, and did return to his own home.

3. And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenenhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah; now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen.

In order that the reader may observe how much more grandeur and picturesqueness (as seen by these Mormon twelve) accompanied one of the tenderest episodes in the life of our Saviour than other eyes seem to have been aware of, I quote the following from the same "book"–Nephi:

4. And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise. And they arose from the earth, and He said unto them. Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, My joy is full. And when He had said these words, He wept, and the multitude bear record of it, and He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when He had done this He wept again, and He spake unto the multitude, and saith unto them, Behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold, they cast their eyes toward heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were, in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them, and the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true, for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children. And what else would they be likely to consist of?

The Book of Ether

The Book of Ether is an incomprehensible medley of if "history," much of it relating to battles and sieges among peoples whom the reader has possibly never heard of; and who inhabited a country which is not set down in the geography. These was a King with the remarkable name of Coriantumr, and he warred with Shared, and Lib, and Shiz, and others, in the "plains of Heshlon"; and the "valley of Gilgal"; and the "wilderness of Akish"; and the "land of Moran"; and the "plains of Agosh"; and "Ogath," and "Ramah," and the "land of Corihor," and the "hill Comnor," by "the waters of Ripliancum," etc., etc., etc. "And it came to pass," after a deal of fighting, that Coriantumr, upon making calculation of his losses, found that "there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children"–say 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 in all–"and he began to sorrow in his heart." Unquestionably it was time. So he wrote to Shiz, asking a cessation of hostilities, and offering to give up…

The Final Battle Between Coriantumr and Shiz

His kingdom to save his people. Shiz declined, except upon condition that Coriantumr would come and let him cut his head off first—a thing which Coriantumr would not do. Then there was more fighting for a season; then four years were devoted to gathering the forces for a final struggle—after which ensued a battle, which, I take it, is the most remarkable set forth in history, except, perhaps, that of the Kilkenny cats, which it resembles in some respects. This is the account of the gathering and the battle:

7. And it came to pass that they did gather together all the people, upon all the face of the land, who had not been slain, save it was Ether. And it came to pass that Ether did behold all the doings of the people; and he beheld that the people who were for Coriantumr, were gathered together to the army of Coriantumr; and the people who were for Shiz, were gathered together to the army of Shiz; wherefore they were for the space of four years gathering together the people, that they might get all who were upon the face of the land, and that they might receive all the strength which it was possible that they could receive. And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives and their children; both men, women, and children being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breast-plates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war, they did march forth one against another, to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not. And it came to pass that when it was night they were weary, and retired to their camps; and after they had retired to their camps, they took up a howling and a lamentation for the loss of the slain of their people; and so great were their cries, their howlings and lamentations, that it did rend the air exceedingly. And it came to pass that on the morrow they did go again to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless they conquered not, and when the night came again, they did rend the air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of the slain of their people.

The Relentless Battles

8. And it came to pass that Coriantumr wrote again an epistle unto Shiz, desiring that he would not come again to battle, but that he would take the kingdom, and spare the lives of the people. But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people, for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle. And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the night came they slept upon their swords; and on the morrow they fought even until the night came; and when the night came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they slept again upon their swords; and on the morrow they fought again; and when the night came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiz. And it came to pass that they slept upon their swords that night, and on the morrow they fought again, and they contended in their mights with their swords, and with their shields, all that day; and when the night came there were thirty and two of the people of Shiz, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumr.

The Final Hours

9. And it came to pass that they ate and slept, and prepared for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty men, as to the strength of men. And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three hours, and they fainted with the loss of blood. And it came to pass that when the men of Coriantumr had received sufficient strength, that they could walk, they were about to flee for their lives, but behold, Shiz arose, and also his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr, or he would perish by the sword: wherefore he did pursue them, and on the morrow he…

A Battle and Its Aftermath

Did overtake them; and they fought again with the sword. And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by the sword, save it were Coriantumr and Shiz, behold Shiz had fainted with loss of blood. And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had leaned upon his sword, that he rested a little, he smote off the head of Shiz. And it came to pass that after he had smote off the head of Shiz, that Shiz raised upon his hands and fell; and after that he had struggled for breath, he died. And it came to pass that Coriantumr fell to the earth, and became as if he had no life. And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him, go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record; and the hundredth part I have not written.

Reflections on Religious Texts

It seems a pity he did not finish, for after all his dreary former chapters of commonplace, he stopped just as he was in danger of becoming interesting.

Observations on Moral Teachings

The Mormon Bible is rather stupid and tiresome to read, but there is nothing vicious in its teachings. Its code of morals is unobjectionable –it is "smouched" [Milton] from the New Testament and no credit given.