The Book of Mormon

Please note that the scanned picture you see here is from a pamphlet given to me by Mormon Missionaries in Florida, in 1977.  To the best on my knowledge, there is no copyright on the material.  If there is, the pamphlet does not bear any notice of it.

As I examined the pamphlet, there was some information supplied I found conflicting, when it comes to the presentation of the Book of Mormon and The Bible, being linked in any verifable  way.  Please enjoin me in a fact finding tour if you will.

The pamphlet has some beautiful art work, and consists of some 14 panels.  I will refer to those most pertinent in our examination here.

  1. 1.  Panel one states that the Bible is "The Lord's Holy Scriptures to the Eastern Hemisphere," and includes a global picture to match the claim.
  1. 2. Panel three shows that The Book of Mormon is "The Lord's Holy Scriptures to the Western Hemisphere, and includes a global picture to match the claim.
  1. 3. We are then told on panel 4 that John 10:16 refers to "other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them must I also bring and they shall hear my voice."
  1. 4. Also in this panel comes a "link claim" as follows - "Ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them must I also bring and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."  3 Nephi 15:21  Nephi is one of the books in the Book of Mormon you see.  Unless a person is nowledgable concerning the Books and Epistles of the Bible, they could be easily misled by this.
  1. 5. Panel 5 quotes Revelation 14:6 as a proof text of another book which was to be written.
  1. 6. Panel 14, in contrast attempts to use Ezekial 37:17 and Isaiah Chapter 29 to compliment Rev 14:6.
It would be good would it not, to examine those scriptures in context?  I would also remind you of the time differences in when the books and letters (Epistles) of the Bible were written, compared to the arrival of the Book of Mormon.  But onward in our study.

John 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

First we must see if the Bible gives us an indication of whom these others are.  And, it is really a rather elementary process as you will learn in the passages below.

Matthew 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

In the passage above, we see that Jesus indicated that he came for Jews, not gentiles.  Why?  Look below and you'll see the Godly plan unfold.

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

In spending some three years teaching the disciples, Jesus set up the core of the church to come.  And it is with the work of these men, that the Gentiles (non jews) would be converted.  And there is still another passage we can consider at this time.

Matthew 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in  the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Have you seen anything in these passages to indicate a visit to anywhere but where he had been?  Have you seen any mention of some other continent?  And all I have provided is the most basic of apologetics here, rather than a lengthy discourse, and many other scriptures that would prove, beyond any doubt the following:

  1. 1.  That Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and would not return until a time apointed by Father God.  (Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.)
  1. 2. That the only mention of a physical place of return is in Israel according to Zechariah 14:4  (Zechariah 14:4  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.)
But let us continue on to the other passages also.
Ezekiel 37:16  And thou, son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17  And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18  And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19  Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

As you can see, I have added the verses that explain about the sticks in a proper context.  Sticks were used and written upon to secure covenants between tribes and peoples.  To attempt to say that another book was mentioned here is rather far fetched.  And even if we could stretch so far, would it not be a case the New Testament added to the Old Testament, that would seem more accurate?  And if so, what happens to the Book of Mormon?

Let us now address Isaiah Chapter 29.  First be reminded that no specific verses are even mentioned in the pamphlet.  So I will simply offer somethat I think accurately addresses the issue at hand.

Isaiah 29:11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12  And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me,and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

In his quest for religious answers, Joseph Smith did not, and was not capable, of rightly dividing the word of truth as we are admonished to learn to do in 2 Timothy 2:14.   So, he invented a tall tale and a book that would suit his charlaton nature.  But by doing so, he also violated the precepts and also the warnings God provided. anaginst tampering with his Word.  The warnings appear in the old Testamnet and also in the New Testament.

Deuteronomy4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Revelation 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall  take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Are you ready to defy God?  Do you think that you can offend the Holy Spirit by whose authority and wisdom the scriptures came to us in the first place?  Look at how clear the verse make the teaching on how we have received the true word of God --

2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Dear reader, the Book of Mormon is fraudulent.  There is no proof of any kind to show who any of the people or angels mentioned in that book were or are.  There are no modern  or extant records to support the idea of the exstance of any gold plates, from which Joseph Smith presumedly translated the book  There is no way to link the any of claims of the LDS Church concerning  the Holy Bible, so far as including The Book of Mormon.

Do you care about the welfare of your soul?  Are you searching fo rpeace of mind?  Then click on the link below dear heart, and you'll find your answers.

 Salvation