curiouslyminty said:
I've been also looking up things on the mormon view of the virgin birth. Again it leads me back to the prophet and his almost comical rendition. Brigham Young once stated: This statement is in conflict with both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Curiously,
If the immensity and effect of Brigham Young's fraud were not so far reaching, it would of itself be a great comedy. Joseph Smith was not in conflict with the Bibel or the Book of Mormon. And, to show you the truth of my statement I will shift from virgin birth to ploygamy because this is where Brigham is himself exposed as the one in conflict with Biblical Christianity.
Let me lay out a simple response to your comment or posit a possibility you may have not considered.
When you are reading Brigham Young or anything from the LDS church you are reading commentary on Joseph Smith Jr.
Many of the things taught by the Mormon church have no connection with the teachings of the Book of Mormon or the life of Joseph Smith.
Polygamy is one example.
Ether 10:5 And it came to pass that R
iplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon mens shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.
Jacob 1:15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in
wicked practices, such as like unto David of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son:
Jacob 2:23-24 For behold, thus saith 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. 33
Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives, and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord,
The difference between Brigham Young (and the LDS) and Joseph SMith is that Joseph SMith believed the Book of Mormon was a book from God. Therefore, it offered direction for his life, as well as the Bible.
Though the Bible records the fact that David and Solomon had many wives and concubines, no direct statement is made about what God thinks about it.
In the Book of Mormon a direct statement is made about God's view of the practice of polygamy and the man who was God's instrument to bring that record forth is accused of it.
Personally, I am going to go one step further than Bible and Christians and say, God condemns polygamy. (And, I've got scripture to prove it.)
ANd most Christians will respond in a way that demonstrates their brains aren't fully functional.
Let's see. . . . . . . if a book claims to be the word of God condemns polygamy and people say they believe polygamy is okay but also say they believe the book is of God .............. where is the contradiction? Is it in the book? Is it in the person who lives and teaches contrary to the book?
And if the person who says God gave him the gift and power to bring forth the book does not practice polygamy himself. . . . . but someone who is living the contradiction stated above, spreads polygamy to the point the US government has to intervene . . . . . should say a lot of things about Joseph Smith as untrue as his own life is to the teachings of the book. . . . . would you think something might be awfully fishy here?
And if the wife of Joseph Smith and Christians who knew Joseph Smith closely stated that the only polygamy practiced was among those whom Joseph was seeking to expel fromthe church . . . . who would you believe?
There are some big contradictions here. But they are not in the life of Joseph Smith. Joseph was true to the Book of Mormon.
Curiouslyminty, like other sincere people come along, and they investigate and the subject of Joseph Smith and his supposed craziness are so rampant that the statitistical mountain is so huge that it is almost considered blasphemy to suggest that the size of the mountain has nothing to do with its validility.
The true story is buried in a mountain of lies.
You also said,
Let me ask a last question I hadn't gotten to yet. Are there many mormons that DONT attend the 'official' church or believe the extra writtings? Maybe a group that only holds to the scriptural book of mormon? That would be a key factor for me now
Yes, there are quite a few. I do not consider myself Mormon, but I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the book of Mormon is true. Church structure and organization is a different matter.
You mentioned tha you were in Liberty, MO at one time. Did you attend William Jewell? What were you doin' in my neck of the woods?
Looking foirward to your reply, BenJosh