Archive
Reason #157: Rampant, Mystical Polytheism of Mormonism
A recent post by a BYU site shows that Mormonism cannot possibly be classed as monotheistic. Here it is below, in question and answer form: Q: How can God be all-knowing and still progress eternally? A: An article by James R. Harris explains that some students have...
Reason #156: The Book of Mormon Restored What?
Does the Book of Mormon itself restore—or even mention—doctrines missing from the Bible? No, in fact, the theology of the Book of Mormon isn’t Mormon – at least, not twenty-first century Mormonism. Latter-day Saints quote Doctrine and Covenants 20:9,...
Reason #155: More detail on the Kinderhook Plates
A commenter on a previous post asked for direct evidence that Joseph Smith ever claimed to have translated the infamous Kinderhook Plates. Below is a detailed discussion about that subject, from Utah Lighthouse Ministry. In his attack on our...
Reason #154: Joseph Smith's Polygamous Marriages Produced No Children
When I was a Mormon, I was taught that Joseph Smith had only one wife, Emma Hale Smith. I have since learned that Joseph Smith married over two dozen women -- and apparently consummated some of those marriages. To date, no proof exists to substantiate the claims of...
Reason #153: A Greek manuscript fooled Joseph Smith
Most students of Mormonism know that Joseph Smith claimed to have the ability to translate ancient documents, specifically to produce the Book of Mormon and portions of both the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 7 in particular.) A deeper...
Reason #152: LDS teachings about the pre-existence of men and women
The Pre-existence Thus LDS doctrine says each person was a fully functioning, born entity long before his mortal birth. In an attempt to find Bible justification for this point of view, Mormons quote Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and...
Reason #151: Because of the Heresy of a “Heavenly Mother”
One of the most complete and well-documented online sources for information about the LDS teaching regarding a "Heavenly Mother" was written by ex-Mormon Janis Hutchinson. Her article, THE DIVINE MOTHER GODDESS OF MORMONISM begins with these eye-opening quotes: “To a...
Reason #150: Because of the LDS heritage of “fallen prophets”
One characteristic of religious groups that have branched off from, or departed completely from, the LDS Church is the teaching that one or another of Mormon prophets "fell." This is particularly true of most polygamous Latter-day Saint groups. Though the RLDS (now...
Reason #149: More 19th Century Cultural Sources for the Book of Mormon
Several of my previous "365 Reasons" posts show that materials and ideas that were available to Joseph Smith in upper New York state in the early 1800s found their way into the Book of Mormon. A recent post by someone who refers to himself as a "cultural Mormon"...
Reason #148: Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith
Failed prophecies alone are a sufficient reason to leave the LDS church. Years ago when my friend Dick Baer decided to leave the LDS Church, he wrote a letter to his Mormon family and friends explaining why. Part of that was the number of failed prophecies of Joseph...
Reason #147: Because of George P. Lee
This last week marked the passing of a sad figure in LDS history, George P. Lee. At one time he was a bright star in the LDS world. A handsome, articulate, and talented Native American, he grew up as a foster child in the Church's Indian Placement Program (ISPP),...
Reason #146: It's silly, but they baptized Jesus in proxy
The LDS church must be embarrassed by the fact that people keep submitting names for proxy baptisms. Helen Radkey, that burr under the Mormon saddle, has documented that recently someone was baptized in proxy for Jesus Christ. And someone else for Mary Magdalene. And...