I recently had interaction with a close familiarity (family/friend) and was reminded of how the Mormon priority order is Church, career, God, family. Yes, for an organization that proclaims family comes first, it actually comes last, right after God.
Let me take the long road to explain.
In the "Mad Hatter's" LDS Topic essay on the Book of Mormon Translation, LDS historians write:
"Joseph placed the seer stone in a hat, pressed his face into the hat to block out extraneous light, and read aloud the English words that appeared on the instrument."Get that? God sent actual English words inside a darkened hat, on a rock Joe Smith dug up inside a well. Words from God, which appeared and written down onto paper directly are the text of the fundamental foundation scripture of Mormonism. Words which have been shown by science and sociologists to be horribly wrong.
This is equivalent to throwing God under the bus, all in order to protect Joseph Smith's silly, early 19th century, unschooled notions that he could translate gold plates, Egyptian papyri and more.
English words appeared on the stone within the hat. Joseph didn't need to know any languages. And the racist, anachronistic, archaeologically incorrect statements of the Book of Mormon (and book of Abraham) came directly from Elohim. God is the author of some very disturbing words. Even the spelling, according to some BYU Scholarly sources. "Oliver Cowdery is reported to have testified in court that these tools enabled Joseph 'to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates' ".
In the Ensign, Russel M. Nelson confirmed that Joseph saw English words --nay, English letters-- off the seer stone inside a hat, "Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat...when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while I was writing them, if I made any mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time." (said David Whitmer and Emma Smith on Joseph's translating).
Thus, the Book of Mormon words AND letters came directly from God. When the Book of Mormon talks about horses and dark-skin curses, that is directly from God. This is not a Joseph Smith problem. God will someday (conveniently in the afterlife) correct the archaeology, the anachronisms, the off-kilter linguistics, and all other language problems of that most corrected book.
They disavowed racism and acknowledge science is correct on the horses, wheel, wheat, steel and DNA lacking evidence to the claims of the Book of Mormon. Did God feed the wrong information to Joseph?
So it was God's fault. If he would deign to correct something like spelling but not horses or simple astronomy, then what exactly is going on?
The LDS church claims the Book of Mormon is the "most correct book on earth" (see BoM introduction). Where does this place God?
Under the bus.
The Mormon God is a racist.
The Mormon God is a sexist.
The Mormon God is a homophobe.
The Mormon God is a horrible astronomer.
and more.
Look at it this way, LDS--either Joseph and scribes and descriptions of translation are wrong, or God is wrong. Either way, the Book of Mormon is full of errors from God or from Joseph Smith. You pick, and with that choice, you have to decide whether this is just a silly fraud or some miraculous err-proned work of God.
It's not me. It's your work. But then, I have been criticized by those close to me that I am offensive when I point out these facts. I guess, if they will throw god under the bus to protect Joseph Smith, then I'm just god's backup going under that same bus.
Everything will go under the bus to protect Joe. Especially family.
It will take a Big-ass bus to run over me. A big ole orange school bus full of spit-wads, fat-kid farts and four-eyed geeky boogers.
(the 4-eyed kids are us exmos)
My new life in Florida.
Lake Eola, Orlando, 2015
My old Mountain West life, while beautiful, was Black n White.
You are such a bitter man. Why do you kick against the pricks as prophesied by Joseph Smith? You are a fulfillment of revelation and evidence of God's truth while you fight against him.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you just called God and Joseph Smith pricks! That's who he's kicking against! You prick!
ReplyDeleteJoseph Smith prophecies, probably the only thing he was as bad at as translating. Shall we look at his 7 Greatest Hits:
ReplyDeleteProphecy # 1 - The Coming of the Lord
President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. . . . it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, for the coming of the Lord, which was nigh - even fifty six years should wind up the scene. (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 182).
This prophecy was spoken by Joseph Smith in 1835, and recorded by Oliver Cowdery. The fifty-six years were passed by 1891.
Prophecy # 2 - David W. Patten to go on a mission
Verily, thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto the world. (Doctrine & Covenants 114:1)
This prophecy was made on April 17, 1838. David W. Patten died in October of 1838 and thus never went on a mission the following spring.
Prophecy # 3 - The United States Government to be overthrown in a few years
I prophecy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children, and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished (History of the Church, Vol. 5, page 394).
Joseph Smith made this prophecy in May 6, 1843. However, the United States Government did not redress any of the wrongs committed against the Mormons in Missouri, and now over 150 years later, the U.S. Government still stands.
Prophecy # 4 - Congress to be broken up as a government
ReplyDeleteWhile discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government, and God shall damn them, and there shall be nothing left of them - not even a grease spot. (Millennial Star, Vol. 22, p. 455. See also History of the Church (HC), vol. 6, p. 116, though when this prediction was incorporated into the official history, Mormon Church leaders decided to leave out the "grease spot" part.)
The petition was not heard nor was protection granted (Deseret News, Vol. 1, p. 59). Yet, Congress was never broken up and continues to function to this day. It is interesting that the compilers of History of the Church, added an editorial note in an attempt to soften or explain this prophecy. They state that: "This prediction doubtless has reference to the party in power; to the ‘government’ considered as the administration;" (note, p. 116). According to the note in HC, this means the Democratic Party, which was in control at the time. However, the prediction is that "Congress shall be broken up as a government" and Congress is made up of representatives from both parties. The Saints were making an appeal to the General Government, not to the Democratic Party, a point made by a summary statement in the left margin beside this prophecy as it is recorded in HC.
Prophecy #5 -Finding Treasure in Salem, Massachusetts
This prophecy is recorded in Doctrine & Covenants Section 111. The introduction to this prophecy, found at the beginning of Section 111 states:
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Salem, Massachusetts, August 6, 1836. HC 2:465-466. At this time the leaders of the [LDS] Church were heavily in debt due to their labors in the ministry.
1. I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies.
2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.
3. Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.
4. And it shall come to pass in due time that I will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours.
5. Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.
No treasure was ever discovered, nor did Salem ever fell into the hands of the Mormons.
Prophecy #6 - Pestilence, Hail, Famine & Earthquake to Destroy the Wicked
ReplyDeleteAnd now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say, wishing nothing worse to my fellow-men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant and flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 315-316).
Such a widespread destruction of the wicked of that generation never occurred.
Prophecy # 7 - Temple to be Built in Zion, Missouri
This prophecy comes directly from Doctrine & Covenants Section 84, the introduction of which states:
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832. HC 1:286-295.
1. A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.
2. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.
3. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.
4. Verily, this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.
5. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.
The Mormons were forced to flee Missouri due to persecution and a temple was never built on the "temple lot" in the lifetime of Joseph Smith or within the generation of his contemporaries.
Nice, you proved Mormonism is clearly not from a perfect, loving God! Mormonism is 100% from beliefs of men mingled with scripture!
DeleteMuch appreciation for your rational approach to an irrational tale we were told as children. I questioned it then, left at 21, and have been much happier for it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the earlier reaction of kicking against pricks was ripe with humor until you realize how unfortunate it would be to hear things that are true and when you begin to realize the reality, that the fantasy you're living, the truth they've been hiding with lies - it's just too much for some people to process. Sometimes, as their most valuable investment is seen to be worth less than a handful of dirt, years of giving their best efforts and attention, devoted with dignity and trust, all just washed away with the giant wave of facts . . . the residual stench is repugnant . . . some of them have no choice but to turn away and return to the hand that's perceived to feed them yet only remains open in order to receive as much as it's greedy fingers can grasp.
ReplyDeleteitsumademoheiwa, that was NOT a pro-Mormon post by Anonymous there. He was talking about how hard it is to alter beliefs to which one has been firmly committed, and on behalf of which one has devoted considerable time and money.
DeleteJust a thought...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was taking a Spanish course for the first time I realized that in the Spanish language and some others, they speak sort of Yoda speak. I also found that there is no way to translate some words to another language. In other words there isn't translations for a lot of words, or ideas.
That being the case, how much,"off," can our translations be when it is coming from Heavenly Father? I know he is talking to us, but we don't always translate these Heavenly messages correctly.
First, you're wrong that "there is no way to translate some words to another language." It may well be that a language has a single word that doesn't translate to some other single word in another language, but there's always a way to communicate the idea. Grammar -- which varies quite a lot between languages -- might seem as if it results in "Yoda speak", but all languages have ways of expressing the same relationships between words regardless of their grammatical structures.
DeleteIf you think Spanish is odd, you should look at Greek -- just to pick a Biblical language that's translated quite often, and quite successfully.
Second, in this case the translation was supposedly performed by God himself, and merely received -- in English -- by JS. Are you saying God screwed it up? Are you throwing him under the bus just as the Mormon church does, to make excuses for manifest errors?
David T.
ReplyDeleteYou are trying to reconstruct something that happened almost two hundred years ago, just how accurate do you believe your assumptions are going to be?
If anyone were to examine any of the scriptures closely they will find that some things don't add up, that they don't make sense. And they would be right! During the time of the Old Testament, and the earlier years of the book of Mormon, heck during all of the scripture time there weren't recording devices, there weren't even paper and pens. Therefore, no one could take notes about what was happening at that moment in time. Those that witnessed what happened couldn't not have been 100% accurate, and the inserted their very human thoughts and feelings when they did write about what was going on. Therefore nothing man writes is 100 % accurate, spelling or otherwise.
"You are trying to reconstruct something that happened almost two hundred years ago, just how accurate do you believe your assumptions are going to be?"
DeleteWhy do so many Mormon defenders think this is any kind of meaningful objection? 200 years wasn't all that long ago, and the contemporary written record is extensive. There's no real doubt about what really happened.
And often, the same Mormons who tell you that you can't really know what something from 200 years ago means have no problem telling you about the Bill of Rights. :)
DeleteDavid T., then you must feel that no religion is right.
ReplyDeleteChris C. Not just Mormon, but everything to do with anything.
Keep kicking the pricks, they deserve it.
ReplyDelete:) Great read from Mr. Tweed. I feel the need to read and read, that bloggy post from Mr. Tweed. May he proceed to lead and plead for this noble creed. What he's decreed recedes the greed from the GA weed, who do mislead with their misdeeds. Let Mormon losses bleed and bleed! We're freed! We're freed! Resignations at lightning speed! Like a pack of cureloms in stampede. I'll pay him heed, that's guaranteed.
ReplyDelete