An Examination of An Examination of Mormon Texts Mormon Texts
Problem Issues to Problem Issues to Discuss When Speaking Discuss When Speaking
with Mormonswith MormonsJude 3-4Jude 3-4
Galatians 1:6-9Galatians 1:6-9
Why Discuss Why Discuss Mormonism?Mormonism?
Mormonism is one of the fastest Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world (growing religions in the world (US News US News and World Reportand World Report).).– One-fifth of the US population will be One-fifth of the US population will be
Mormon by 2050.Mormon by 2050.Many of us know people who practice Many of us know people who practice the Mormon faith at school or work.the Mormon faith at school or work.They stress “mission work.”They stress “mission work.”
““A Few Things”A Few Things”This will not be a complete or This will not be a complete or comprehensive study of the Mormon comprehensive study of the Mormon religion.religion.This study is not meant to be hurtful or This study is not meant to be hurtful or hateful toward those of the Mormon hateful toward those of the Mormon faith.faith.This study will only look at the facts.This study will only look at the facts.This study is an examination of Mormon This study is an examination of Mormon texts considered to be inspired of God.texts considered to be inspired of God.– Book of MormonBook of Mormon, , Doctrines and CovenantsDoctrines and Covenants, ,
The Pearl of Great PriceThe Pearl of Great Price, and the , and the JSTJST
Background InformationBackground InformationThe Mormon religion began in up-The Mormon religion began in up-state New York in 1830 with Joseph state New York in 1830 with Joseph Smith and the publication of the Book Smith and the publication of the Book of Mormon.of Mormon.““The First Vision” (1820)The First Vision” (1820)Smith visited by the angel Moroni.Smith visited by the angel Moroni.– Mormon 9:32Mormon 9:32
““And now, behold, we have written this record And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us which are called among us the reformed the reformed EgyptianEgyptian, being handed down and altered by , being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.”us, according to our manner of speech.”
Background InformationBackground InformationThe Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon (1830) (1830)Doctrines and CovenantsDoctrines and Covenants (1833) (1833)– D&CD&C 132 132The Pearl of Great PriceThe Pearl of Great Price (1851) (1851)– The Book of Abraham The Book of Abraham (1835)(1835)– Selections fromSelections from The Book of Moses The Book of Moses– Selections fromSelections from Doctrines and Doctrines and
CovenantsCovenants– Joseph Smith- Matthew Joseph Smith- Matthew and and JS-HistoryJS-History– Articles of FaithArticles of Faith
Background InformationBackground InformationThe Joseph Smith TranslationThe Joseph Smith Translation (1867) (1867)– D&CD&C 45:60-61 45:60-61
““And now, behold, I say unto you, it shall not And now, behold, I say unto you, it shall not be given unto you to know any further be given unto you to know any further concerning this chapter, until concerning this chapter, until the New the New Testament be translatedTestament be translated, and in it all these , and in it all these things shall be made known. Wherefore I give things shall be made known. Wherefore I give unto you that ye may now unto you that ye may now translatetranslate it, that ye it, that ye may be prepared for the things to come.”may be prepared for the things to come.”
– Articles of FaithArticles of Faith #8 #8““We believe the Bible to be the word of God We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as far as it is translated correctlyas it is translated correctly; we also ; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”God.”
Background InformationBackground InformationSmith arrested, placed in jail, and later Smith arrested, placed in jail, and later murdered in Carthage, Illinois in 1844.murdered in Carthage, Illinois in 1844.Brigham Young became the new leader Brigham Young became the new leader and prophet of the Mormons and led and prophet of the Mormons and led the people from Illinois to Utah.the people from Illinois to Utah.Journals of DiscoursesJournals of Discourses (1854-1886) (1854-1886)History of the ChurchHistory of the Church (1839-1856) (1839-1856)US government outlawed polygamy US government outlawed polygamy (1890).(1890).
Moroni 10:4Moroni 10:4““And when ye shall receive these And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it to you by he will manifest the truth of it to you by the power of the Holy Ghost.”the power of the Holy Ghost.”
First Thessalonians 5:21First Thessalonians 5:21
““Test all things; Test all things; hold fast what hold fast what
is good.”is good.”
The Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon““Another Testament of Jesus Christ”Another Testament of Jesus Christ”– Cover of the Cover of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
““The Book of Mormon is a volume of The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the holy scripture comparable to the Bible.”Bible.”– The first line to the introduction of the The first line to the introduction of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is “the most The Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth, correct of any book on earth, the the keystone of our religionkeystone of our religion, and a man , and a man would get closer to God by abiding by would get closer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”its precepts, than by any other book.”– History of the ChurchHistory of the Church, vol.4, pg. 461, vol.4, pg. 461
Problem #1Problem #1It claims to be “another” testament of It claims to be “another” testament of Jesus.Jesus.Testament:Testament:– ““A tangible proof of something.”A tangible proof of something.”– ““A simple expression of conviction”A simple expression of conviction”– ““An act by which a person determines the An act by which a person determines the
disposition of his or her property after death.”disposition of his or her property after death.”
Problem #1Problem #1The Old TestamentThe Old Testament– Genesis 49:9-10; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Genesis 49:9-10; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2;
Zechariah 6:9-15; Daniel 2:44; Genesis 3; Zechariah 6:9-15; Daniel 2:44; Genesis 3; Amos 8:11; Malachi 4:4-6; Luke 1-3Amos 8:11; Malachi 4:4-6; Luke 1-3
The New TestamentThe New Testament– Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-3; John 1:1-18; Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-3; John 1:1-18;
Matthew. 1:21; Luke 19:10; 1 Corinthians Matthew. 1:21; Luke 19:10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-9; Acts 1:9-11; John 16:13; 1 15:1-9; Acts 1:9-11; John 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Hebrews 9:16-22; 1 Timothy 2:5; Heb. 8:1-6; Hebrews 9:16-22; 1 Timothy 2:5; Heb. 8:1-6; 9:11-15; Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew 24:359:11-15; Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew 24:35
Problem #1Problem #1It claims to be “another” testament of It claims to be “another” testament of Jesus.Jesus.– Introduction to the Introduction to the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
The account of “two great civilizations. One The account of “two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 606BC, and afterward came from Jerusalem in 606BC, and afterward separated into two nations, known as the separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jeredites. After thousands of known as the Jeredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except for the years, all were destroyed except for the Lamanites, and they are the principle ancestors Lamanites, and they are the principle ancestors of the American Indians.”of the American Indians.”
Problem #1Problem #1It claims to be “another” testament of It claims to be “another” testament of Jesus.Jesus.– Introduction to the Introduction to the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
““The crowning event recorded in the Book of The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.”life and eternal salvation in the life to come.”
Problem #1Problem #1It claims to be “another” testament of It claims to be “another” testament of Jesus.Jesus.A testament must be true.A testament must be true.– The Old and New Testaments have been The Old and New Testaments have been
proven true time and time again.proven true time and time again.– Is the Book of Mormon true?Is the Book of Mormon true?
Problem #1Problem #1Is the Is the Book of MormonBook of Mormon true? true?The Book of Mormon is, at best, The Book of Mormon is, at best, an unreliable source.an unreliable source.– Geography and anthropology do not Geography and anthropology do not
agree with the agree with the Book of MormonBook of Mormon. .
Problem #1Problem #1Ether 10:20Ether 10:20– ““And they built a great city by the And they built a great city by the narrow neck of narrow neck of
landland, by the place where the sea divides the , by the place where the sea divides the land.”land.”
Alma 22:32Alma 22:32– ““And, now, it was only the distance of a day and And, now, it was only the distance of a day and
a half’s journey for a Nephite, on the line a half’s journey for a Nephite, on the line BountifulBountiful and the land and the land DesolationDesolation, from the east , from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of to the west sea; and thus the land of NephiNephi and and the land of the land of ZarahemlaZarahemla were nearly surrounded by were nearly surrounded by water, there being a water, there being a small neck of landsmall neck of land between between the land northward and the land southward.the land northward and the land southward.
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– DNA evidence proves that no Native DNA evidence proves that no Native
Americans possess Semitic DNA until Americans possess Semitic DNA until Columbus landed in 1492.Columbus landed in 1492.
– The DNA evidence points towards a The DNA evidence points towards a mongoloid ancestry.mongoloid ancestry.
– All anthropological, archaeological, and All anthropological, archaeological, and linguistic evidence denies Mormon linguistic evidence denies Mormon claims.claims.
TheThe Book of Mormon Book of Mormon could notcould not have have happened in the Americas.happened in the Americas.
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?The Americas is the The Americas is the onlyonly place the place the events in the events in the Book of MormonBook of Mormon couldcould have happened.have happened.– ““An account of the former inhabitants of An account of the former inhabitants of this this
continentcontinent” (” (Joseph Smith- HistoryJoseph Smith- History, 1:34)., 1:34).– Smith was in up-state New York at the time.Smith was in up-state New York at the time.– The Hill Cumorah is in up-state New York.The Hill Cumorah is in up-state New York.
Problem #1Problem #1The Book of Mormon is, at best, The Book of Mormon is, at best, an unreliable source.an unreliable source.– Geography and anthropology do not Geography and anthropology do not
agree with the agree with the Book of MormonBook of Mormon. . – The The Book of MormonBook of Mormon claims that claims that
certain animals were native to the certain animals were native to the Americas when they were not.Americas when they were not.
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?1 Nephi 18:251 Nephi 18:25– ““And it came to pass that we did find upon And it came to pass that we did find upon
the land of promise, as we journeyed in the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the the forests of every kind, both the cowcow and the and the oxox, and the , and the ass ass and the and the horsehorse, and , and the the goatgoat and the and the wild goatwild goat, and all manner , and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of ore, men. And we did find all manner of ore, both gold, and of silver, and of copper.”both gold, and of silver, and of copper.”
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?3 Nephi 3:223 Nephi 3:22– ““And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in
the latter end of the year, the proclamation of the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their face of the land, and they had taken their horseshorses, and their , and their chariotschariots, and their cattle, and , and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and tens of thousands, until they all thousands and tens of thousands, until they all had gone forth to the place which had been had gone forth to the place which had been appointed that they should gather themselves appointed that they should gather themselves together, together, to defend themselves against their to defend themselves against their enemiesenemies.”.”
Problem #1Problem #1The Book of Mormon is, at best, The Book of Mormon is, at best, an unreliable source.an unreliable source.– Geography and anthropology do not Geography and anthropology do not
agree with the agree with the Book of MormonBook of Mormon. . – The animal life does not agree with The animal life does not agree with
what the what the Book of MormonBook of Mormon claims. claims.– Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.
Problem #1Problem #1Two great battles were fought on the Two great battles were fought on the Hill Cumorah (Mormon 6; Ether 15).Hill Cumorah (Mormon 6; Ether 15).– Two million people died in the first battle.Two million people died in the first battle.– Two hundred thousand in the second Two hundred thousand in the second
battle.battle.Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– There were no horses.There were no horses.– There is no evidence of chariots.There is no evidence of chariots.– There is no evidence of steel swords and There is no evidence of steel swords and
“cimiters.”“cimiters.”
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– Ether 7:9Ether 7:9
““Wherefore, he came to the hill Ephraim, and Wherefore, he came to the hill Ephraim, and he did molten out of the hill, and made he did molten out of the hill, and made swords swords out of steelout of steel for those whom he had drawn for those whom he had drawn away with him…”away with him…”
– 2 Nephi 5:142 Nephi 5:14““And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make and after the manner of it did make many many swordsswords, lest by any means the people who , lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy .”us and destroy .”
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– Helaman 1:14Helaman 1:14
““And it came to pass in the forty and first And it came to pass in the forty and first year of the reign of the judges, that the year of the reign of the judges, that the Lamanites had gathered together Lamanites had gathered together an an innumerable army of meninnumerable army of men, and armed them , and armed them with swords, and with with swords, and with cimiterscimiters and with and with bows, and with arrows, and with head-plates, bows, and with arrows, and with head-plates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields of every kind.”shields of every kind.”
Problem #1Problem #1The Book of Mormon is, at best, an The Book of Mormon is, at best, an unreliable source.unreliable source.– Geography and anthropology do not Geography and anthropology do not
agree with the agree with the Book of MormonBook of Mormon. . – The animal life does not agree with The animal life does not agree with
what the what the Book of MormonBook of Mormon claims. claims.– Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.– No evidence of billows at that time.No evidence of billows at that time.– No evidence of coins or writing on No evidence of coins or writing on
metal plates or even the great cities metal plates or even the great cities of the of the BoMBoM..
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– Heading of Alma 11Heading of Alma 11
““Nephite coinage set forth.”Nephite coinage set forth.”– 1 Nephi 9:2-4 (see also Alma 37)1 Nephi 9:2-4 (see also Alma 37)
““And now, I have spoken And now, I have spoken concerning these platesconcerning these plates, , behold they are not the behold they are not the platesplates upon which I make a upon which I make a full account of the history of the people; for the full account of the history of the people; for the platesplates upon which I make a full account of my people upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name Nephi; wherefore they are I have given the name Nephi; wherefore they are called called the plates of Nephithe plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and , after mine own name; and these these platesplates also are called the plates of Nephi.” also are called the plates of Nephi.”The Lord commands him to make plates for special The Lord commands him to make plates for special occasions (vs.3).occasions (vs.3).The reigns of kings, wars, and contentions should The reigns of kings, wars, and contentions should also be written on plates (vs.4).also be written on plates (vs.4).
Problem #1Problem #1The Book of Mormon is, at best, an The Book of Mormon is, at best, an unreliable source.unreliable source.– Geography and anthropology do not Geography and anthropology do not
agree with the agree with the Book of MormonBook of Mormon. . – The animal life does not agree with what The animal life does not agree with what
the the Book of MormonBook of Mormon claims. claims.– Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.Two Great Battles w/o any evidence.– No evidence of billows at that time.No evidence of billows at that time.– No evidence of coins, metal plates, or No evidence of coins, metal plates, or
cities.cities.– All of the changes to the All of the changes to the Book of MormonBook of Mormon..
Problem #1Problem #1Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?– 4000 changes to “the most correct book.”4000 changes to “the most correct book.”– King “Benjamin” is changed to King King “Benjamin” is changed to King
“Mosaiah”“Mosaiah”Mosaiah 9, pg. 200 and Ether 1, Pg.546 in the Mosaiah 9, pg. 200 and Ether 1, Pg.546 in the 1830 edition of the 1830 edition of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon..Mosiah 21:28 and Ether 4:1Mosiah 21:28 and Ether 4:1
– Spelling and grammatical errors in the Spelling and grammatical errors in the 1830 edition of the 1830 edition of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon..
Pgs. 15, 156-157, 204, 270 of the 1830 Pgs. 15, 156-157, 204, 270 of the 1830 BoMBoM..– Changes to fundamental Mormon doctrine.Changes to fundamental Mormon doctrine.
1 Nephi 11:18, 21, 32; 13:30; 20:11 Nephi 11:18, 21, 32; 13:30; 20:1
Problem #1Problem #1It claims to be “another” testament of It claims to be “another” testament of Jesus.Jesus.Testament:Testament:– ““A tangible proof of something.”A tangible proof of something.”– ““A simple expression of conviction”A simple expression of conviction”– ““An act by which a person determines the An act by which a person determines the
disposition of his or her property after disposition of his or her property after death.”death.”
The Book of Mormon does not meet the The Book of Mormon does not meet the criteria to be a “testament.”criteria to be a “testament.”
Problem #2Problem #2It claims to be holy scripture.It claims to be holy scripture.– It opens with that claim (1 Nephi 1:1).It opens with that claim (1 Nephi 1:1).Because it is so unreliable, it Because it is so unreliable, it couldn’t possibly be written by the couldn’t possibly be written by the same God who gave us the Bible.same God who gave us the Bible.– 1 John 3:19-20; Job 37:16; Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:19-20; Job 37:16; Psalm 147:5;
Revelation 19:6; Psalm 139:7-12Revelation 19:6; Psalm 139:7-12
Problem #3Problem #3It claims that IT is the “keystone” of It claims that IT is the “keystone” of the one true Church of Jesus Christ.the one true Church of Jesus Christ.– The Book of Mormon is “the most correct The Book of Mormon is “the most correct
of any book on earth, of any book on earth, the keystone of our the keystone of our religionreligion, and a man would get closer to , and a man would get closer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”any other book.”
A “keystone” is “a central cohesive A “keystone” is “a central cohesive source of support and stability” (source of support and stability” (www.worldweb.princeton.edu).).Since the Book of Mormon is so Since the Book of Mormon is so unreliable, the whole religion must be unreliable, the whole religion must be recognized as not being from Godrecognized as not being from God
