The debate over how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon continues to stir controversy. While many accept the theory that Smith used a seer stone, recent scholars challenge this, suggesting he used the Nephite interpreters instead. This article is the first of two that critically examines both perspectives, seeking to find the one with the strongest historical support. Here we critically evaluate the evidence that Joseph Smith used the seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon.
Tag: Joseph Smith
Why We Need The Book of Mormon Now
The article defends Christianity against atheist arguments, particularly Dr. Richard Carrier’s claims. I show that Carrier and atheists in general don’t understand the purpose of life.. And I show the necessity of The Book of Mormon as it restores lost truths, clears up contradictions from the Bible, and provides essential insights into God’s plan, offering a more complete understanding of Christian doctrine.
Can You Be Good Without God?
It is a very common claim from agnostics and atheists that not only do you not need God to be a good person, but that if you do need God to be good then you are terrible. This article shows that both of these claims are backwards, irrational nonsense. In fact, not only do you absolutely need God to be good, but you can’t even understand good without God.
The Gospel According to Satan
This article explains that Satan’s goal is to be worshipped as God, opposing Jesus Christ and His teachings by spreading false doctrines and corrupting political and religious systems. I explore Satan’s tactics using scriptural references to reveal what the religion of Satan looks like and emphasize how to fight against Satan through understanding and living by the Word of God. I also expose the manipulation and lies spread by Antichrists, both ancient and modern.
Why Do We Celebrate Pioneer Day?
The LDS pioneers, often mischaracterized as westward expansionists, were actually refugees fleeing persecution. Facing extreme hardship in Winter Quarters, they endured starvation, disease, and squalid living conditions. Despite these trials, their faith and dedication grew stronger, ultimately establishing the Kingdom of God. Their story is one of resilience and unwavering belief that should inspire all of us to aspire to match their examples in dedication, sacrifice, and faith.
Adam Clarke vs. Joseph Smith’s Translation Of The Bible
In the last five years it has become extremely popular for people to say that part of Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible is copied form Adam Clarke’s biblical commentaries. This argument is ultimately based on the work of a single paper that emerged in 2020. In this article we examine the evidence for this argument and, using the excellent work of Dr. Kent P. Jackson, one of the foremost experts on the JST, prove that this theory is completely bogus.
Jesus Christ Is The Leader of His Church Today
The leader of the Church of Jesus Christ is the Lord Jesus Christ. He leads this church actively and directly. And this isn’t meant in some theoretical or technical sense. It is meant very literally. This is shown in this LDS Classic as President Heber J. Grant recalls a revelatory vision he had of the Lord Jesus Christ deciding to call him to the Apostleship.
27 Questions To Ask Your LDS Friends About The Constitution
Latter-day Saints, Mormons, are often well-known for their love of the American Founding fathers and their devotion to the U.S. Constitution.
But do they know the relationship between the Constitution and their own church?
Here are a list of 27 questions from American history about the relationship between the Latter-day Saints and the U.S. Constitution to see how much your LDS friends and family really know about their own history.
Really test their knowledge of the Constitution, of American history, and the history of their own people!
The Constitution: No Friend of the Latter-day Saints
Recently, I was asked to give a talk in church about the ways that the Constitution aided in the Restoration. Though greatly expanded with additional quotes and pictures, this article is fundamentally the talk that I gave. By examining the breadth of early LDS history (form 1830 to roughly 1890), I provided evidence and argument that the Constitution of the United States did nothing to help the Restoration and that it was always on the side of those who brutalized, oppressed, and killed us. The reason the Restoration occurred, and has continued, was the power of Jesus Christ to protect the Saints from annihilation. No law of man gave us any aid. It was God alone who preserved and prospered us against all odds and it is He alone that continues to do so now.
The Ancient Chinese History of Anarchy and Liberty
There is a common error that the ideals of liberty, individualism, limited or no government, and universal inalienable human rights are an invention of Western culture and history. This is not true. In fact, the very opposite is true. The oldest texts to recognize these truths date back almost 2,500 years ago and come from China. This article explores the ancient Chinese history of liberty through the writings of one of history’s greatest and most important philosophers – Lao Tzu, the Old Master.