Joseph smith s toleration of homoeroticism in the mormon church s highest leadership circles and charges against smith of committing immoral acts with men the first known instance of homoerotic behavior in the mormon church first presidency involved john c. There are those of us who hold a testimony of the book or mormon and of joseph smith, but believe that the modern lds church has lost its way. For mormon pilgrims, a new york state mecca the new york. Joseph smith s mormon defenders have generally avoided addressing their prophet s glasslooking career.
As one of a thousand elements of my own testimony of the divinity of the book of mormon, i submit this as yet one more evidence of its truthfulness. Rather, joseph smith relates a firstperson account featured in the story in the church s official book, history of the church. Here are five questions readers might have in their studies of the book of mormon this week. The other testimony of joseph smith and mormonism obrien on. Elder stevenson testifies of joseph smiths role as prophet of the restoration the book of mormon is filled with miracles for those who read it, elder gary e. This was six years after joseph supposedly saw god and three years after he claimed the angel he later identified as moroninephi visited him. Steve griffin the salt lake tribune the book of mormon, 1830 edition, translated by joseph smith jr.
Later when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Joseph smith declared the book of mormon to be the most correct of any book. The book of mormon is simply evidence that the church is true, i leave you these words and testimony of a true apostle and greater disciple of jesus christ than you will ever be safety for the soul jeffrey r. Would the true church print a false record of the event in its own history book. The account of the kinderhook plates does not come from an anti mormon book. Elder stevenson of the quorum of the twelve apostles invited the.
Mar 01, 2014 the book of mormon echoes and amplifies the new testaments directive that we are to demonstrate our commitment to christ by being baptized. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders. Dec 23, 2019 elder stevenson testifies of joseph smiths role as prophet of the restoration the book of mormon is filled with miracles for those who read it, elder gary e. About the statues of joseph and hyrum smith that president ballard keeps in his office, he shares, i look at them, and i think i hear them say, get going boy, and do something. False prophecies a selection of numerous false prophecies given by joseph smith. The book of mormon is the most important religious text to be revealed from god to man since the writings of the new testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago. The prophet joseph smiths own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. The missing cross in mormonism life after ministries. I bear witness that the book of mormon is a new covenant, a new testament. Joseph smith lds quotes, church quotes, joseph smith. Jesus christ and his teachings are the central focus of all mormon scripture, the book of mormon, the bible, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price. Newser the mormon churchs big revelations didnt stop with its sacred undergarments.
Comments off on joseph smith and the book of mormonan apostles testimony. If anyone listens to this with an open heart and an open mind, you will feel something. Ashworth believes the evidence shows that this is a real notebook of mclellins. To commemorate joseph smiths birthday, the church news is taking a. Was the coming forth of the book of mormon a miracle. If you have, chances are that you got only one side of that story. On the evening of the twentyfirst of september 1823 i betook myself to prayer and supplication to almighty god. The false lds joseph smith and the real historical reality joseph smith. When the apologists responded to such accusations during the 20th century, one tactic they employed was to blame the 1820s upstate new york moneydigging commotion on persons other than smith. This is a must read for anyone who wishes to learn more about the writing of the book of mormon or to understand joseph smith better.
In an online essay titled plural marriage in kirtland and nauvoo, the church for the first time declares that founder joseph smith was a polygamist, with a footnote stating that careful estimates put his tally of wives at between 30 and 40. An apostles testimony of the book of mormon and the prophet joseph smith. The temple has never been built and today another church, the church of christ, owns the temple lot. Elder hollands 10 best talks of all time utahvalley360. Jesus christ mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The context is the role the book of mormon played in the lives of joseph and hyrum smith immediately preceding their martyrdom. The book of mormon is filled with miracles for those who read it. I invite all to listen to this address, safety for the soul, and ponder what is taught and then study the book of mormon for yourself you can get a free copy by following this link.
The false lds joseph smith and the real historical. But ive a god that lives above a god of power and of love a god of revelationoh, thats the god for me. This is the simple, direct testimony of joseph smith, giving some of the events that led to the restoration of the gospel and the founding of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Joseph prophesied that his generation would build a temple in independence, missouri. Nov 06, 2010 for optimum viewing and sound, turn off the music player down at the bottom right. An lds apostles answers, grounded in mormon truth the mormon testimony and wishful thinking. Holland delivers a stirring testimony of the book of mormon to believers, nonbelievers. Sperry symposium discusses many of these doctrinal teachings and. An apostles witness is a rare and precious gift in todays world. If you do so with a sincere heart and pray to know, with intent to act, if the. Oct 22, 2019 while in vermont and massachusetts, president ballard also had the opportunity to follow in his grandfathers footsteps and bear powerful testimony of joseph smith. The proper mode of baptism became a matter of great concern for joseph smith during his translation of the book of mormon, and his inquiries into that subject led to some of the most important revelations of what mormons refer to as the restoration of christs. Knowhy 2 an apostles witness book of mormon central.
A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of. The testimony of the prophet joseph smith the coming forth of the book of mormon was a miracle. Your study of the book of mormon can be enriched if you start by reading the pages that precede 1 nephi. Why top mormon leaders private writings may never become.
A mormon apostles admission ohio valley university. At the beginning of the book of mormon, we have the testimony of joseph smith, the testimony of three witnesses, and the testimony of eight witnesses12 voices coming together to testify that the book of mormon is the word of. In this their greatest and last hour of need, i ask you would these men blaspheme before god by continuing to fix their lives, their honor, and their own. Tammy uzelac hall is the host of lds livings newest podcast, sunday on monday, a weekly podcast focused on come, follow me that dives into the hidden treasures of the gospel. I think he was actually trying to put a book together, ashworth said. But our approach to baptismcoming from the book of mormon and revelations given to joseph smithis unique in many important aspects. Writings from current top lds leaders belong to the church, and their release will be at the faiths discretion. I do not however, believe any other organisation does. The book of mormon, first printed in 1830, is currently being published in more than 80 languages worldwide. I have prayed, i have read, i have studied, and i know that it truly is scripture. Joseph smiths violent behavior life after ministries.
Apr 06, 2009 i thought this would be a perfect message to read today. When the apologists responded to such accusations during the 20th century, one tactic they employed was to blame the 1820s upstate new york moneydigging commotion on. But ive a god that lives above a god of power and of love a. The inside cover of this edition contains one of the few examples of the handwriting of joseph smith. This is an apostle of god, and he speaks the truth. His testimony of the prophet joseph smith and the book of mormon is powerful. Joseph smiths mormon defenders have generally avoided addressing their prophets glasslooking career. The church changed my life and inspired me to be baptized at the age of 26. Holland of the quorum of the twelve apostles the sacrifice of the prophet joseph smith and our testimony that the book of mormon is true.
There is nothing more important to a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, mormon than having a personal testimony confirm the truthfulness of the book of mormon and, ultimately, mormonism. I hold in my hand that book, the very copy from which hyrum read, the same corner of the page turned down still visible. This collection of twentyone addresses from the 1998 sidney b. Testimony of the book of mormon latterday saints channel. While in vermont and massachusetts, president ballard also had the opportunity to follow in his grandfathers footsteps and bear powerful testimony of joseph smith. May 02, 2017 there is nothing more important to a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, mormon than having a personal testimony confirm the truthfulness of the book of mormon and, ultimately, mormonism.
It is a record of god s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I am only on 2 nephi and i must say, joseph smith was either a really. While i was thus in the act of calling upon god, i discovered a light appearing in my room. This script is taken from portions of joseph smith s own testimony, found at the. After he spoke to nauvoos citywide sunday meeting in 1843, mormon founder joseph smith criticized the. At the beginning of the book of mormon, we have the testimony of joseph smith, the testimony of three witnesses, and the testimony of eight witnesses12 voices coming together to testify that the book of mormon is the word of god and another testament of jesus christ. If he starts at the beginning hell think this is the most wonderful book about joseph smith and may not go past the first couple chapters. And again, a seer will i raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will i give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of. I was a member, and feel that the church no longer represents the lord. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day saint movement who stated that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which joseph smith, jr. The book of mormon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. You are the foolish preacher he is mentioning, not us. The book was written by many ancient prophets through the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Nonlds people who still believe in the book of mormon.
This article isnt so much about the mormon church and smiths accomplishments in his relatively shortlived life as it is a chronological look at his behavior pattern. President ballard speaks about the last sermon his. At the beginning of the book of mormon, we have the testimony of joseph smith, the testimony of three witnesses, and the testimony of eight witnesses. And then, of course there were the two visits in 1824 and 1825 at the hill cumorah.
The young man certainly had a zest for flair and wasted no time displaying. Stevenson said during the joseph smith memorial devotional in logan, utah on jan. An apostles words to harvard law school on march 20, 2012, elder jeffrey r. Joseph smith s early apostolic instruction continued with his translation of the book of mormon. Church historians assume the book was brought back by one of the apostles. The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon. An examination of numerous prophecies given by joseph smith.
Smith of marlow, oklahoma uses the book of mormon to show mormons that. After recounting how hyrum smith read from the book of mormon ether 12. Among the great apostolic lessons of this first vision were both the physical nature of the savior and heavenly father and the initial and fundamental lessons relating to their power. In fact, the book of mormon can be described as more trinitarian than the bible.
Jan 02, 2016 after recounting how hyrum smith read from the book of mormon ether 12. All three men upheld their testimony of the book of mormon at their deaths. See more ideas about book of mormon, lds and lds art. Mormon is a witness to the divinity and majesty of the savior. One of the most powerful testimonies of the book of mormon. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two testators. Oct 12, 2011 comments off on joseph smith and the book of mormonan apostles testimony filed under. I thought this would be a perfect message to read today. The preface of the testimony of john the beloved reminds us that this apostles writings contain some of the most profound events, specific prophecies, and significant doctrines recorded in all of ancient scripture. You will have that burning testimony and knowledge that this church is true such knowledge, such a personal testimony, is essential if we are to safely navigate the sometimes treacherous paths through life with the adversary attempting. Nov 23, 2009 his testimony of the prophet joseph smith and the book of mormon is powerful.
This is a book that brings faith, happiness and joy. Hofmanns fictional mclellin collection was claimed to be devastating to the lds church and joseph smiths reputation. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. My testimony is definately not as powerful as the testimony of this apostle of jesus christ, but i also give my name, as a witness of this book, and the divinity of it. Have you ever heard about the 14yearold boy who went into the woods to pray. And this is written with more care than some of his other notebooks. I love elder holland and his special witness of the savior and of the book of mormon. Earlier in the afternoon, the sacred grove in palmyra, where the 14yearold smith is said to have first met god and jesus face to face, was as silent as the hill cumorah would soon be noisy. He develops a hypothesis that joseph smith used this book to base his book on and then tries to find what supporting or not supporting evidence there is to back up the hypothesis. And once you know that the book of mormon is true, then it will follow that joseph smith was a prophet of god. This is a must read for anyone who wishes to learn more about the writing of the. This script is taken from portions of joseph smith s own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. Dec 09, 2014 this phrase in particular caught my attention.
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