The Teachings of Mormonism #2 Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples, Baptisms

The Teachings of The Teachings of Mormonism #2Mormonism #2

Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples,

BaptismsBaptisms

False PropheciesFalse Prophecies

Deuteronomy 18:22—“when a Deuteronomy 18:22—“when a prophet speaks in the name of the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, Lord, if the word does not come to if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spokenthe Lord has not spoken; the prophet ; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.” need not be afraid of him.”

Joseph Smith gave several such Joseph Smith gave several such prophecies.prophecies.

False PropheciesFalse Prophecies

Joseph Smith’s false prophecies include Joseph Smith’s false prophecies include the following:the following:Selling the Selling the Book of MormonBook of Mormon copyright copyright

in Canadain CanadaThe Lord coming in 56 yearsThe Lord coming in 56 yearsA temple built in Independence, MOA temple built in Independence, MOThe Civil War spreading to all nationsThe Civil War spreading to all nationsDavid W. Patten’s mission next springDavid W. Patten’s mission next spring

Selling the Copyright in Selling the Copyright in CanadaCanada

““Joseph looked into the hat in which Joseph looked into the hat in which he placed the stone, and received a he placed the stone, and received a revelation that some of the brethren revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and should go to Toronto, Canada, and that that they would sell the copy-right of they would sell the copy-right of the Book of Mormonthe Book of Mormon. Hiram Page and . Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery went to Toronto on Oliver Cowdery went to Toronto on this mission, but this mission, but they failed entirely to they failed entirely to sell the copy-rightsell the copy-right, returning without , returning without any money.” –David Whitmerany money.” –David Whitmer

Selling the Copyright in Selling the Copyright in CanadaCanada

The previous quote is from David The previous quote is from David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses to Whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, found in his book, the Book of Mormon, found in his book, An Address to All Believers in ChristAn Address to All Believers in Christ, p. , p. 31.31.

When asked why the prophecy did not When asked why the prophecy did not come true, Joseph said, "come true, Joseph said, "Some Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of God: some revelations are of men: and some revelations are of men: and some revelations are of the devilrevelations are of the devil.“ — same .“ — same sourcesource

The Lord Coming in 56 The Lord Coming in 56 YearsYears

““Kirtland, February 14, 1835-- …. Kirtland, February 14, 1835-- …. President Smith then stated that the President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision …. the made known to him by vision …. the coming of the Lord, which was nigh--coming of the Lord, which was nigh--even fifty-six years should wind up even fifty-six years should wind up the scene.” --History of the the scene.” --History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 182Church, vol. 2, p. 182

Jesus did not come in February 1891.Jesus did not come in February 1891.

A Temple Built in A Temple Built in Independence, MissouriIndependence, Missouri

““Which city shall be built, beginning Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lotat the temple lot, which is appointed , which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, by the finger of the Lord, in the in the western boundaries of the State of western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Junof Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with ., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. whom the Lord was well pleased. ….”….”

Doctrines and Covenants 84:3 (Sept. Doctrines and Covenants 84:3 (Sept. 1832)1832)


““Verily this is the word of the Lord, Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. shall be reared in this generation. ….”….”

Doctrines and Covenants 84:4Doctrines and Covenants 84:4


““For verily this generation shall not all For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.” the Lord, which shall fill the house.”

Doctrines and Covenants 84:5Doctrines and Covenants 84:5 This temple has still not been built and This temple has still not been built and

that generation, including Smith, is dead.that generation, including Smith, is dead.

The Civil War The Civil War Spreading to All NationsSpreading to All Nations

On December 10, 1832, the On December 10, 1832, the Boston Boston Daily Advertiser & PatriotDaily Advertiser & Patriot printed a printed a speech from the governor of South speech from the governor of South Carolina stating that state would Carolina stating that state would resist the federal government by resist the federal government by force if necessary.force if necessary.

That day Orson Hyde left Boston and That day Orson Hyde left Boston and arrived in Kirtland on December 22arrived in Kirtland on December 22ndnd..

On December 25On December 25thth, Joseph Smith , Joseph Smith gave his Civil War prediction.gave his Civil War prediction.


““Verily, thus saith the Lord Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, come to pass, beginning at the beginning at the rebellion of South Carolinarebellion of South Carolina, which will , which will eventually terminate in the death eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; and misery of many souls;

2 And the time will come that 2 And the time will come that war war will be poured out upon all nationswill be poured out upon all nations, , beginning at this place. ….”beginning at this place. ….”

Doctrines and Covenants 87:1-2 Doctrines and Covenants 87:1-2


““For behold, the Southern States For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; themselves against other nations; and then and then war shall be poured out war shall be poured out upon all nationsupon all nations.”.”

Doctrines and Covenants 87:3Doctrines and Covenants 87:3

David W. Patten’s MissionDavid W. Patten’s Mission

““Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant my servant David W. PattenDavid W. Patten, that he , that he settle up all his business as soon as he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that his merchandise, that he may perform a he may perform a mission unto me next springmission unto me next spring, in company , in company with others, even twelve including with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world.”—D&C glad tidings unto all the world.”—D&C 114:1 114:1

David W. Patten’s MissionDavid W. Patten’s Mission

Doctrines and Covenants 114 was Doctrines and Covenants 114 was given through Joseph Smith the given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April 17, 1838. 17, 1838.

David W. Patten died in the summer David W. Patten died in the summer of 1838 at the battle of Crooked of 1838 at the battle of Crooked River and did not live until the next River and did not live until the next spring.spring.

Many WivesMany Wives

Fawn Brodie lists 49 women as wives Fawn Brodie lists 49 women as wives of Joseph Smith, but Smith publicly of Joseph Smith, but Smith publicly denied polygamy during his lifetime denied polygamy during his lifetime while privately practicing it.while privately practicing it.

Brigham Young brought polygamy into Brigham Young brought polygamy into the open and taught that a man had to the open and taught that a man had to be a polygamist to become a god.be a polygamist to become a god.

In the fall of 1890 President Wilford In the fall of 1890 President Wilford Woodruff issued an Manifesto Woodruff issued an Manifesto outlawing polygamy.outlawing polygamy.

Many WivesMany Wives

Even though the Church of Jesus Christ Even though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints no longer of Latter-day Saints no longer practices polygamy, it still teaches practices polygamy, it still teaches that polygamy is the rule to become a that polygamy is the rule to become a god.god.

Therefore, a man will have several Therefore, a man will have several women sealed to him in temple women sealed to him in temple ceremonies so that they will be ceremonies so that they will be married in eternity if not on this earth.married in eternity if not on this earth.

Also, divorce is widely practiced in Also, divorce is widely practiced in Mormonism.Mormonism.

Two PriesthoodsTwo Priesthoods

Rather than the priesthood of all Rather than the priesthood of all believers, Mormonism has two believers, Mormonism has two priesthoods.priesthoods.

The first and lower priesthood is the The first and lower priesthood is the Aaronic priesthoodAaronic priesthood..

The second and higher priesthood is The second and higher priesthood is the the Melchizedek priesthoodMelchizedek priesthood..

Joseph Smith also taught that there was Joseph Smith also taught that there was a a Patriarchal priesthoodPatriarchal priesthood, but it is not , but it is not currently practiced by the LDS Church.currently practiced by the LDS Church.

The Aaronic PriesthoodThe Aaronic Priesthood

The Aaronic or Levitical priesthood was The Aaronic or Levitical priesthood was supposedly conferred upon Joseph Smith supposedly conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist who appeared to them in a cloud of light who appeared to them in a cloud of light while they were praying in the woods. while they were praying in the woods. He ordained them to this priesthood and He ordained them to this priesthood and told them to baptize each other.told them to baptize each other.

It is passed on by the laying on of hands.It is passed on by the laying on of hands.

The Aaronic Priesthood The Aaronic Priesthood OfficesOffices

OfficeOffice Minimum Minimum RequirementsRequirements

Rights and Rights and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

BishopBishop Married adult Married adult male; high priestmale; high priest

Conduct services; Conduct services; preside over wardpreside over ward

PriestPriest 16 year old male16 year old male Bless sacrament; Bless sacrament; baptize; ordainbaptize; ordain

TeacheTeacherr

14 year old male14 year old male Prepare Prepare sacrament;sacrament;

Home teachingHome teaching

DeacoDeaconn

12 year old male12 year old male Pass sacrament; Pass sacrament; collect fast collect fast offeringsofferings

The Melchizedek PriesthoodThe Melchizedek PriesthoodOfficeOffice Minimum Minimum

RequirementsRequirementsRights and Rights and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

ApostleApostle Married adult Married adult malemale

Direct churchDirect church

SeventySeventy Adult maleAdult male Preach to worldPreach to world

PatriarchPatriarch Married adult Married adult male; age 55male; age 55

Give Give patriarchal patriarchal blessingsblessings

High High PriestPriest

Adult maleAdult male Serve as Serve as bishop or bishop or presidentpresident

ElderElder Priest; age 18Priest; age 18 Lay on of Lay on of hands; ordainhands; ordain

The PresidenciesThe Presidencies

President of the Church—over LDS President of the Church—over LDS ChurchChurch

Area President—over geographical Area President—over geographical regionregion

Stake President—over a stakeStake President—over a stake Mission President—over a mission areaMission President—over a mission area District President—over a districtDistrict President—over a district Temple President—over a templeTemple President—over a temple

Organizational ChartOrganizational Chart

Biblical Aaronic PriesthoodBiblical Aaronic Priesthood

Descendents of Aaron—held “on the Descendents of Aaron—held “on the basis of a legal requirement basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent” (Heb. concerning bodily descent” (Heb. 7:16) 7:16)

All from tribe of LeviAll from tribe of Levi One at a time was high priestOne at a time was high priest Offered sacrifices daily (Heb. 7:27)Offered sacrifices daily (Heb. 7:27) Received tithes (Heb. 7:9)Received tithes (Heb. 7:9) Priesthood was changed (Heb. 7:12) Priesthood was changed (Heb. 7:12)

from Levitical to Melchizedekfrom Levitical to Melchizedek

Biblical Melchizedek Biblical Melchizedek PriesthoodPriesthood

Held only by Melchizedek and JesusHeld only by Melchizedek and Jesus Both king and priestBoth king and priest Continues a priest forever (Heb. 7:3)Continues a priest forever (Heb. 7:3) Held by indestructible life (Heb. 7:16)Held by indestructible life (Heb. 7:16) Given by oath from God (Heb. 7:20-21)Given by oath from God (Heb. 7:20-21) Held by Jesus permanently (Heb. 7:24)Held by Jesus permanently (Heb. 7:24) Offered one sacrifice of Himself (H. 7:27)Offered one sacrifice of Himself (H. 7:27)

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The Teachings of Mormonism #2 Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples, Baptisms