Why Dont Christians Accept the Book of Mormon as Valid? (Jesus, Earth)

[namguy]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

Why don't Christians accept the Book of Mormon to be true? It testifys of Christ our Savior, as the Messiah, the Great Mediator. And it's a solid Book, it has substance.

You don't believe there is any way that Christ would have appeared to his "Sheep of another fold" (mentioned in the bible) in the americas after his ressurection. Or that Both God and Christ would appear to a modern day prophet.

Yet, they believe that God, or even the "Mother Mary" would speak to 6 old women in Bosnia?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on why you think the way you do.

Well, that's easy enough to answer...the Book of Morman has the last word with them, period. They believe in profits, they're no more prophits, Christ fulfiled all prophicies...they are no more to be reveled. Plus they believe in this Joe Smith who claimed to have received 'orders' from the Lord, not so. Just remember when talking about The Lord, Saviour of man, anything after "but" is of the devil.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

Why don't Christians accept the Book of Mormon to be true?

I believe that Joseph Smith was a fraud....

Joseph Fielding Smith [Mormon Prophet] stated: "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground."
"If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who wilfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, . . ."

... to go on further to discuss what I consider to be theological errors (Pelagianism etc.) is pointless....

Still love ya'll as children of God... but I've gotta be honest with you.

Peace,
S

[madhatter85]

Originally Posted by robtex

I can take a crack at it based on the Christians I have talked to in real life and than maybe some of the non-Mormons can comment on what I have said. Specific instances of discord I have observed are:

1) Seeing the USA as the new holy land. I don't know, for the record if this perception is correct or not, but non Mormons see the idea of a post-Israel holy land as revolting or blasphemy. Not blasphemy in a way where there needs to be physical retaliation but more along the lines it goes against their interpretation of the KJV and is therefore invalid.

Jesrusalem was destroyed because of the wickedness of the people. Musilims and jews are not chrisitans. why would god continue to promise a land to someone when they reject Christ completely and insist on destroyign themselves?

The U.S.A. is the greatest nation in the world, every other country turns to us for help because we are the only country who has the means to make a difference. the U.N. is on American Soil.

40 years before the Civil War, Joseph Smith prophesied of it in the Doctrine and Covenants. Aside from the wars we have brought on with ourselves (civil war ect...) there have been no battles that ensued on american soil. That was promsed in the Book of Mormon.

2) Protestants reject the idea, by and large, that any of the Bible (aka book of Mormon and book of Abraham) could have been written in the last few hundred years.

3) The idea of a modern prophet feels diminishing towards the 12 prophets who are revered by protestants.

Of course because they think that god will never reveal anything to them beyond christ. If thta is the case, why is there a pope? why are there religious leaders? if they cannot recieve any new revelation what is thier purpose?

4) liberal Christians feel the Bible is the inspired word of God vs the literal and any religion that has literal interpretations would have a diminished validity to many of them.

Why woudl anyoen believe the truth is not plain and simple, why would God want to confuse people? is it not said in the bible that the devil is the father of al lies and confusion?

5) Christians who feel that Christianity doesn't need to be restored (irregardless of reason of why it doesn't) will have issues with a religion that promotes restoration of Christianity.

The Book of Mormon is not "Restoring Christianity" it is restoring the true nature and credentials for salvation, not only of people who are alive now, but also for those who have passed on.

alot of people believe the "Judgement" comes immediately after death. does it not say they in the bible that all mankind will be resurrected? How will mankind be resurrected if they are to burn in hell immediately after death?

6) The idea of a Mormon Satan, who seems to be viewed as an opposing God in Mormonism is a direct contradiction of the fallen angel idea that other Christians take on Satan.

It's actually the exact same as the "fallen angel" We believe Lucifer and Jesus both presented thier plans to Heavenly Father, and when Jesus' plan was selected Lucifer got butthurt and 1/3 of the hosts of heaven left with him when he was cast out. Lucifer and his followers can never attain a physical body and will be miserable forever because we chose to follow god and recieved something he can no loger attain. So, he wants to bring as many of us as he can with him to be cast into "Outer Darkness" after the Judgement.

7) The Mormons feel that the Mormons are "Gods chosen people" whereas many Christians feel that the Jews are "God's chosen people" creating a mutually exclusive paradigm between the two ideas.

The Jews are Christ's chosen people. Unfortunately they rejected him, so there was a need for another people to build his kingdom. We believe when he appears again, he will appear to the Jews first. And then sit at the throne of his Kingdom on Earth (The Kingdom the Latter-day Saints are building) to reign during the Millenium.

[madhatter85]

Originally Posted by namguy

Well, that's easy enough to answer...the Book of Morman has the last word with them, period. They believe in profits, they're no more prophits, Christ fulfiled all prophicies...they are no more to be reveled. Plus they believe in this Joe Smith who claimed to have received 'orders' from the Lord, not so. Just remember when talking about The Lord, Saviour of man, anything after "but" is of the devil.

What is the point of church leaders? how many times is "But," in the bible? What scripture points to sayign that there will be no more revelation given to inhabitants of this world?

[Hope]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

Why don't Christians accept the Book of Mormon to be true? It testifys of Christ our Savior, as the Messiah, the Great Mediator. And it's a solid Book, it has substance.

You don't believe there is any way that Christ would have appeared to his "Sheep of another fold" (mentioned in the bible) in the americas after his ressurection. Or that Both God and Christ would appear to a modern day prophet.

Yet, they believe that God, or even the "Mother Mary" would speak to 6 old women in Bosnia?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on why you think the way you do.

I don't know enough about Mormonism to critique it point by point, but my main reason for not subscribing to its belief system is because I believe the Bible is God's final authority for the believer. It's the plumb line by which to judge everything else. If any other revelation given supposedly by God contradicts what is already laid out in the Scriptures, then it isn't valid. Because God is not a man that He would lie or contradict Himself. Mormonism, while adhering to many beliefs that are similar to those of other Christians, has enough contradictory information to make me question it.

For the record, I don't believe in the Mary apparitions either. For the same reason.

But I find Mormons themselves to be in general wonderful people, and I admire their firm morals and values. They often put other Christians to shame in their upright behaviour.

[madhatter85]

Originally Posted by Hope

I don't know enough about Mormonism to critique it point by point, but my main reason for not subscribing to its belief system is because I believe the Bible is God's final authority for the believer. It's the plumb line by which to judge everything else. If any other revelation given supposedly by God contradicts what is already laid out in the Scriptures, then it isn't valid. Because God is not a man that He would lie or contradict Himself. Mormonism, while adhering to many beliefs that are similar to those of other Christians, has enough contradictory information to make me question it.

For the record, I don't believe in the Mary apparitions either. For the same reason.

But I find Mormons themselves to be in general wonderful people, and I admire their firm morals and values. They often put other Christians to shame in their upright behaviour.

Mormonism does not contradict the bible. In fact the Book of Mormon coincides with the Bible on so many levels. it's a completely different record, and a different view point of the events between the new and old testament. Which is why we use botht eh bible and the Book of Mormon for our teachings.

The LDS church does not believe in things that contradict Bible teaching, we just believe in More things.

[Polaris]

Originally Posted by Scott1

... to go on further to discuss what I consider to be theological errors (Pelagianism etc.) is pointless....

I'm sure we believe in several doctrines that you consider erroneous, but we do not believe in pelagianism.

[Hope]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

Jesrusalem was destroyed because of the wickedness of the people. Musilims and jews are not chrisitans. why would god continue to promise a land to someone when they reject Christ completely and insist on destroyign themselves?

Because the very nature of a promise is that you keep it, no matter what. What is the point of trusting God, if we know He doesn't keep His promises? Essentially you are calling Him a liar. God promised Israel throughout Scripture an inheritance, that would abide forever. He certainly allowed them to reap the consequences of their sins, but He doesn't go back on His word that " My servant David may have a lamp always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen for Myself to put My name." (I Kings 11:36)

Of course because they think that god will never reveal anything to them beyond christ. If thta is the case, why is there a pope? why are there religious leaders? if they cannot recieve any new revelation what is thier purpose?

There is nothing wrong with new revelation....it simply has to be consistent with the "old" revelation. Otherwise God is a very confused God. Or He finds some twisted enjoyment in confusing us.

Why woudl anyoen believe the truth is not plain and simple, why would God want to confuse people? is it not said in the bible that the devil is the father of al lies and confusion?

Hmmm....didn't I just say something along those lines? You made my point for me.

The Jews are God's Chosen people. Unfortunately they rejected him, so there was a need for another people to build his kingdom. We believe when he appears again, he will appear to the Jews first. And then sit at the throne of his Kingdom on Earth (The Kingdom the Latter-day Saints are building) to reign during the Millenium.

This is in contradiction of Scripture. Which is why I'm not Mormon.