Comments on: Weak Arguments #5: “Well at least you use the King James Bible – it’s the only true and inspired translation. It alone IS God’s Word!” By Fred W. Anson https://mormonisminvestigated.co.uk/2014/11/05/weak-arguments-5-well-at-least-you-use-the-king-james-bible-its-the-only-true-and-inspired-translation-it-alone-is-gods-word-by-fred-w-anson/ Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:42:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Henry Lions https://mormonisminvestigated.co.uk/2014/11/05/weak-arguments-5-well-at-least-you-use-the-king-james-bible-its-the-only-true-and-inspired-translation-it-alone-is-gods-word-by-fred-w-anson/#comment-21416 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 19:39:40 +0000 http://mormonisminvestigated.co.uk/?p=2455#comment-21416 Congratulations on a well researched and cogent article.
Even as an atheist I agree that the poetic beauty of the KJV of the Bible is by far the most beautiful translation (all be it flawed by the insistence of King James himself on various editorial changes to fit with his own preferences and beliefs.)

I further agree that in saving people from the cruel unfeeling and utterly corrupt corporation that is the LDS “church” we all face an important task. Therefore quibbling over the unimportant details of LDS practice and doctrine detracts from this good work, providing time wasting “wriggle room” for the LDS apologist to convince his or her doubter that since some one may be incorrect in their object to some minor LDS policy, all of the “anti-Mormon’s arguments are invalidated.
Now you state 6 major objections to Mormonism

1)Mormonism teaches another Jesus.
2) Mormonism teaches another salvation.
3) Mormonism gets Christ’s resurrection mostly right but is still wrong.
4) Mormonism teaches another gospel.
5) Mormonism teaches polytheism.
6) Mormonism follows a false prophet.

All valid I am sure but falling upon analysis in to two encompassing points
1) Mormonism differs significantly from mainstream Christianity on matter of Theology
2) Mormonism and Mormon Doctrine was founded in the most part by two false prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
However regardless of the truth or otherwise of the above, to many Mormons theses are unimportant theological quibbles most of which they will not or do not understand the significance of. They will simply say that it does not matter, that they are Christians because Christ is in the name of their church and that they have a testimony.
I believe freeing people from the bondage of the church of the Book of Mormon, is the priority. Therefore we Must be to bring to light, the most heinous and unacceptable truth of the history and founding of the LDS and it’s earliest “prophets”
Therefore my ten alternate first principles in witnessing to the Mormon doubter have to be

1 Joseph Smith was a Paedophile who emotionally blackmailed a 14 year old girl in to marriage by assuring her it was the will of a vengeful God.
This now no longer denied by the church, though it is excused as divine will, in the latest of the gospel topics essays on LDS.org
2 The Book of Abraham is a false translation,
again even the LDS church themselves declare it to be an inspired translation, not a literal one, in defiance of Smiths own word.
3 The LDS Church was institutionally racist
Until 1978 this was doctrinally true. In recent declarations it has decried the past racism of it’s own prophets going so far as to say those who hold or held such views are not and were not deserving of a place in the true church, in effect declaring Brigham Young a False prophet, without naming him.
4 The Church has declared Brigham Young was a false prophet
The Church has in the Past few years disavowed EVERY original doctrine ever preached by Brigham Young, declaring some of his teachings () an abomination and false doctrine (see Spencer W. Kimball General conference 1976 on The Adam God doctrine)
Like wise his teachings on Plural Marriage, inter racial marriage, blood atonement, and many more.
However the Church still honours Young and has not publicly denounced him.
5 Joseph Smith did not translate the Book of Mormon from Golden plates
Again, in the Gospel topics essays the church has admitted that for the majority of the translation process smith did not have the plates present or even in the house with him did not use the “Directors” provided with the plates and instead relied on occult paraphernalia already in his possession.
6 Mormon scriptures contradict each other and in such cases the Book of Mormon is not the last word.
The most famous example being that the Book of Mormon condemns Polygamy where as the Doctrine and Covenants commands it, it was the D&C that was obeyed until the law forced a change.
7 Mormonism is Sexist and devalues women
An LDS female member cannot reach the highest forms of heavenly exultation other than as the wife of a man, cannot hold major callings on earth and in most cases is not even allowed a career of her own other than that of wife and mother.
8 Mormon Temple ritual are Freemasonic
This has never been denied, the claim being that Mason ritual is a perversion of the truth taught in Mormon temples, a truth which is God given and unchangeable, but which has been changed three times in the last hundred years, again the church does not deny this
9 Joseph Smith was not a Martyr
Historically Joseph Smith was killed in a pitched gun battle while under arrest for treason and while trying to escape from his assailants, three of whom he had shot.
He was not killed for his religious beliefs
He did not give his life for his beliefs
He did not accept his fate and use it as an example of Christ like behaviour
Therefore he was not a Martyr by any given definition.
10 Joseph Smith either did not experience the first vision or could not remember it
Again the gospel topics essays admit that there are nine version of Smith’s experience in the sacred grove, all of which differ significantly from one another as to who appeared to the boy and what they or he said.
The officially accepted version taught and widely published is not the first one as recounted by Smith close to the time of it reportedly happeneing.

These point alone, all verifiable from official LDS sources now, should be enough to start anyone doubting the truth of the LDS church and opening them up potentially to more orthodox Christian teachings of one kind or another once they have been freed.

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