Jul

30

Since I met the Mormon missionaries for the first time in my life, at the end of 1984, and I heard the story of the prophet Joseph Smith, I have always had a great admiration for what he did. I strongly believe that

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

This is a short video about what I think and believe about Joseph Smith

Jul

7

This year, 2008, the American people will choose their new president. Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon or LDS Church), was among the candidates of the Republican party for a while. However, even if he was one of the best candidates, the fact that he was a Mormon clearly created a strong opposition even in the republican party.

It is unfortunate that prejudice against the Mormon Church is still so strong in America. However, it was a lot worse in the past.

I was reading an interesting book by Arnold K. Garr, Joseph Smith: Presidential candidate.

Joseph Smith

Why did Joseph Smith decided to be a candidate in the 1844 presidential election? It is hard to believe that he thought he could win the election, but he was not a frivolous candidate.

Joseph Smith said on February 8, 1844:

I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on anywise as President of the United States, or candidade for that office, if I and my friend could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious and civil rights as American citizens…But this as a people we have been denied from the beginning. Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time…. because of our religion; and no portion of the government as yet stepped forward for our relief. And in view of these things, I feel it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can, lawfully, in the United States, for the protection of injured innocence.

Clearly, Joseph Smith was trying to gain as much influence as possible to protect his people, even if he probably knew that he could not become president. In fact, he even speculated that he could be killed because of his campaign.

Joseph Smith’s platform was contained in a pamphlet titled General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States.

Among other interesting ideas, he proposed the abolition of slavery by the year 1850. His solution to the problem was to

pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public land, and from the deduction of pay from members of Congress. Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire them to labor like other human beings

Was this solution economically impractical? According to Dr. Garr

…the way that ultimately the United States settled the slavery issue was through civil war - a conflict that cost more than fifteen billion dollars and more than 600,000 lives….a conflict that left the South in economic ruin and implanted bitterness and hatred in the hearts of millions…In retrospect, it would seem that Joseph Smith’s solution to the slavery was more sensible than Civil War.

Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844 and obviously he never became president. The American people could not find a better solution to slavery and it went through a terrible Civil War.

I can’t avoid thinking how different could have been U.S. history if the American people has listened to Joseph Smith’s counsel.

Jun

12

I have found something really interesting, called “The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon - Protestant Doctrines within the Book of Mormon” by Lynn Ridenhour, a Southern Baptist Minister.

It is an amazing article. I am copying it here because I do not want to see it disappear in the future from the internet, but I recognize his authorship and commend it for what he did and his sincerity.

This is his article that currently can be found at http://www.centerplace.org/library/bofm/baptistversionofbofm.htm

“I’m a licensed Southern Baptist minister and I embrace the Book of Mormon.

That is, I believe the truths recorded in it. No, I’m not a convert to the Mormon faith, nor am I a member of any particular “spin-off” restoration group such as the RLDS (Reorganized Latter-day Saints), Hedrikites, or Strangites. I’m still a Baptist minister. To be exact, I’m “charismatic Baptist.” That is, I still embrace the “born again” experience. I still believe you’re saved by grace. By the shed blood of Christ. Salvation is by faith alone in His finished work on Calvary. I still believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. I believe and embrace those cardinal doctrines of Protestantism.

And you know what?…

I still believe the Book of Mormon too! Read more

Sep

7

Joseph Smith’s doctrinal restoration include many principles that were lost by the world for centuries. Probably the most important was about the nature of God. Joseph Smith proclaimed to have seen God the Father and the Son in his vision.

According to Joseph Smith, they were two distinct personages and not a confuse part of a trinity. Traditional Christians were offended by such a claim, since they thought it would diminish God.

Why did they react that way? Because traditional Christianity included in its beliefs the idea that God is an amorphous essence of some kind. This idea come from Greek philosophy and not from the scriptures.

Moreover, especially those who strictly believe in the Bible, seem to have forgotten what happened do Stephen when he claimed that he saw the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God (see Acts 7:56). Clearly Stephen did also see two personages, in the form of men, in his vision.

So, I ask, why do those who claim that nothing else but the Bible can teach us about God are ignoring such evidences (Stephen) and “adding” to the Bible (Greek philosophy)?

Do they really believe in the Bible?

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