TO OUR MORMON FRIENDS
"The true nature of the message of the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it. Therefore, every soul in all the world is equally interested in ascetaining its truth or falsity... If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments upon which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception, and be reclaimed, and those who continue to publish the delusion, may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful arguments - by evidences employed to detect and overthrow false doctrines - to reclaim mankind from the errors - to expose religious enthusiasm - to put to silence base and wicked imposters." Elder Orson Pratt, "The Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon" A SERIES OF PAMPHLETS ON THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL ( The Southern States Mission, Chattenooga, Tennessee, 1899 ), pp. 68-69.
1. Joseph Smith speaks on discussions such as these ( D&C 71:7-11 ).
2. Joseph Smith's view of other faiths( Smith's Testimony p. 5; PofGP, JS 2:19 ).
3. The Bible can be and is recognized as authoratative( BofC 44:1-4, 13; A Friendly Discussion, Why I Believe p. 6-7; PofGP, JS 2:11 ).
1. Deut. 13:1-5. The prophet must lead in God's way.
2. 1 John 4:1, 6. Must not contradict the apostle's teaching.
3. Isaiah 41:21ff., Must have a message of value.
4. Mat. 7:15. Warning against false prophets in the future.
5. Isaiah 44:24-26. God is on the side of the true prophet and against the false.
6. Deut. 18:20-22. Not to fear the false prophet!!!
1. The temple in INDEPENDENCE( D&C 57:1-3; 101:20; 124:51-52 ).
2. The temple to built in that generation( D&C 84:3-5; 31 ).
3. Jackson County, Mo. a new Zion( D&C 45:64-67 ).
Triumph of Zion( D&C 101:11-20 ).
4. Mo. as an inheritance( D&C 52:42; 57:1; 84:1-4 ).
5. 5 years from September, 1831, they were to go up( D&C 64:21-22 ).
6. Not to be removed( D&C 90:37; 97:19 ).
7. No other place( D&C101:17 )
9. The Lord stopped by enemiesd( D&C 124:51 ). Who failed, God or the prophet?
10. Salt Lake is not Zion, only a stake( D&C 136:10; see #'s 6 and 7 ).
11. Concerning Salem( D&C 111:4 ).
12. The Lord's coming( D&C 34:7; 35:15; 38:8; 130:14-15 ).
13. Joseph's triumph( D&C 127:2; 121:23-24 ).
14. Oliver Cowdery( D&C 24:10 ).
15. Inhabitants on the Moon and Sun.( J of D, Vol. 13, Page 271 ).
16. The Civil War prophecy( D&C 87:1-8; Bales notes ).
1. 1 Nephi 1:3 { pg. 1 }; 19:6 { pg. 41 }. "according to my knowledge."
2. Jacob 1:2 { pg. 108 }; 7:26 { pg. 125 }. "which I considered most precious."
"according to the best of my knowledge."
3. Mormon 8:1, 12, 17 { pg. 473 }. "commanded of my father." "the imperfections
which are in it." "if there be faults they be the faults of man."
4. Ether 5:1 { pg. 487 }. "according to my memory."
5. Moroni 10:1 { pg. 520 }. "I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good."
6. CONTRAST THE WRITINGS OF THE BIBLE( 2 Pet. 1:20-21 ).
1. Polygamy( Jacob 2:23-24; 3:5 )( D&C 132:1, 32-35, 37-38; 51-54 ).
2. Baptism( 3 Nephi 12:3; Moroni 8:11 )( D&C 20:37 ).
3. Monotheism vs. Polytheism( Moses 2:1; Abraham 4:1 ).
4. Hell( 2 Nephi 28:21-22: Alma 34:32-35 )( Journ. of Disc. vol. 6, pf. 4 ).
1. Upon request( D&C 24:13-14; 84:65-72; 68:10 ).
2. Revenge( D&C 24:16 ).
1. How long was it dark at the death of Jesus?
a. Mormon( 1 Nephi 19:10; Helaman 14:20; 3 Neph. 8:3 ).
b. The Bible( Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44 ).
2. Where was Jesus born?
a. Mormon( Alma 7:10 ).
b. Bible( Matt. 2:1 ).
3. Was "Christ" a name or a title?
a. Mormon( 2 Nephi 25:19 ).
b. Bible( Matt. 1:21, 25; Luke 2:21 ).
4. "Christian" first in Antioch or 73 BC?
a. Mormon( Alma 46:13-16; 48:10 ).
b. Bible( Acts 11:26 ).
5. When was the church established?
a. Mormon( Alma 46:14; Mosiah 18:17; 147 BC ).
b. Bible( Matt. 16:18 ).
6. When was the "mystery" revealed?
a. Mormon( 1 Nephi 10:19 ).
b. Bible( Matt. 13:17; Eph. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 2:6-10 ).
7. When was the kingdom at hand?
a. Mormon( Alma 10:20, 82 BC; Helaman 5:32, 30 BC .
b. Bible( Matt. 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:7: Luke 10:9 ). 110 year span stretches it.
8. Ask in the name of Jesus?
a. Mormon( Enos 15 ).
b. Bible( John 16:24 ).
9. Death not final.
1. Mormon( D&C 128:15 ).
2. Bible ( Heb. 9:27; Luke 16; John 8:21-24 ).
10. The Blood of Jesus.
1. Mormon( Journal of Discourses, Vol.4, Page 53-54 ).
2. Bible( 1 John 1:6-7, Matt. 26:28; Heb. 10:10-18 ).
1. Ezekial 37. The sticks of Judah and Ephraim.
2. Joel 2:28f. Joseph Smith 1:41( section 2 in my book ) vs. Acts 2:16f.
3. Isaiah 29.11-14... Matt. 15:7-9.
4. Acts 3:19-21... Matt. 17:9-13.