Category: Mormon Christian

Joseph Smith and the Bible

Though not commonly thought of as a Bible-based preacher, Joseph’s ministry was grounded in the Bible and his sermons expounded Bible meaning and interpretation.

This morning, I found myself reviewing the book A Man Without Doubt. I feel that this website, dedicated to the topic of Joseph Smith and Christianity, would be incomplete without pointing out how foundational the Bible was in Joseph Smith’s teachings.

Joseph Smith reading the Bible
"Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, but almost never used it in his writings, sermons, letters or private discussions. His primary text was the Bible. He had confidence in his own revelations because he saw them as harmonious with and prophesied by the Bible. Joseph’s First Vision experience was a direct result of his belief in the New Testament scripture, James 1:5. When Christ first spoke to him, He used the language of Paul and Isaiah to foretell Joseph’s mission. When the angel visited Joseph with news of a buried book written on gold plates, the angel’s message quoted from Bible passages of Joel, Malachi, Acts and Isaiah. Many of the revelations Joseph received came while retranslating the Bible. He would encounter mysterious passages that provoked an inquiry to God. The great revelation on the afterlife (D&C 76) came as a result of reading John 5:29.

Joseph’s greatest sermon, The King Follet Discourse, expounded Bible passages. Though not commonly thought of as a Bible-based preacher, Joseph’s ministry was grounded in the Bible and his sermons expounded Bible meaning and interpretation.

The most controversial issue involving Joseph Smith was the publication of the Book of Mormon. It, however, begins and ends with Biblical materials quoted extensively. Early in the book chapters of Isaiah are set out, followed by a commentary focusing on the meaning on events in the Americas., It makes Isaiah as a relevant a prophet for the American gentiles as it was for the Twelve Tribes of Israel. At the end of the book, Christ visits the Nephites and preaches The Sermon on the Mount, then adding words of counsel and prophecy. The Book of Mormon borrows Bible language, meaning, and prophecy, and then adapts the message to an American setting." (Denver Snuffer, A Man Without Doubt, pg. 161-162)

The Monogamy of Joseph Smith

Here is an article that goes into a great deal of detail to support a point of view about Joseph Smith that runs contrary to the more popular view that Joseph Smith practiced polygamy in secret. It is surprising to learn that much of what we rely on as evidence to support Joseph Smith’s polygamy actually has another side to the story. For anyone interested in the topic, this article on Joseph Smith’s Monogamy is a must read.

Why Can’t We Just Get Along

In a local Christian Bible Fellowship last week the topic was on Gentleness. We read from Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (NIV)

Before this verse Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to “agree with each other in the Lord” (NIV), or “be of the same mind” (KJV).
In his sermon the pastor went on to expound, “What are we about as a church? Well our whole model says we’re about building relationships united in Christ. Not in feeling, not in just happiness, but looking to Christ.”

“question

The comment made me reflect on recent things I have read from a book by Shawn McCraney, Knife to a Gunfight. Shawn laments how foolish Christians appear to the rest of the world at the way we use the scriptures as a weapon to beat each other up with instead of as a tool to unite us in love.

“When will Christians realize that the Bible is a gift from God to encourage and guide individual believers, and not a manual for believers to use to beat and attack either each other or those who do not subscribe to its contents? How on earth will we ever get people to want to seek its contents if we use it as a club?” (page 29)

As I reflected I found myself lamenting along with Paul, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Cor 1:10 (NIV)

Now isn’t this a strange dilemma in the body of Christ? How is it that we teach tolerance and love, while at the same time insisting on agreement to the Word?

Tolerance requires disagreement. Insisting on agreement is not tolerance, but it’s opposite. If the Word clearly teaches against disputations and contentions among Christ’s followers, is it possible to have disagreement without contention and divisions among us? Can we still disagree without contending, or are Christians no better than the rest of the world when it comes to that level of maturity?

I think the following counsel from Joseph Smith is relevant here, “If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you… If you throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours – for charity covereth a multitude of sins.” (Joseph Smith History of the Church 4:445)

Mormon Founder Betrayed By Mormons

I found the following amazon book review insightful by a user named Brady for the book A Man Without Doubt by Denver Snuffer:

Mormon Founder Betrayed By Mormons, July 5, 2016
Forget everything you’ve ever heard about Joseph Smith and consider this unique view of his life and teachings. In this book, the author paints a very different picture of Joseph Smith. So different in fact, that this book would be considered heresy by the LDS Church and almost all Mormons who value Joseph’s ministry. The irony continues, however, when one considers the premise of the book: that Joseph Smith was a principled Christian who tried to teach others how to have saving faith in Christ (i.e., the kind of faith that leads to knowledge, the ministry of angels, the signs of the Holy Ghost, and speaking with God face to face).

If you’re a Christian who has reservations about Mormonism, don’t let those reservations prevent you from hearing a summary of Joseph’s message as outlined in this book. It is surprising to consider that Joseph fought against the voices who today have tried to monopolize his legacy.