Fatboy -
That is okay. I was not trying to convince you to change your mind, but to understand why I believe it was restored. And if I only read what people who wrote about Joseph Smith that literally hated him, I would probably have the same opinion. But anti mormons have only one goal. That is to destroy the mormon church. I have caught them in lies and deceit. And when correcting them, they still bring up the same old tired worn out lies. Anything goes in the name of Jesus. In all the women Joseph Smith was suppose to had sex with, there is not one child born from these women. NOT ONE. The only children he had was through his first wife Emma. Look the only person that was perfect on this earth was Christ. Yet those who do not believe in him called him a liar, deceitful, and everything else. Yet if you look at the fruits that Christ gave to us, we know this is not true. Joseph Smith was far from perfect just as any other prophet, but like the other prophets you look at the fruits that have come forth.I still think polygamy is creepy. It also goes against what Jesus taught. So, no, it isn’t from God, it is from the mind of humans, particularly Smith, who when caught in his adulterous affairs made up his whole “doctrine” of polygamy.
That you are skeptical is good. That you believe such a charlatan, is not.
Fatboy -
Are you asking about written approval. We do know that it was lived from historical records. Nothing was said about it until a thousands years after the death of the last apostle. Are you saying that polygamy was not lived? Are you saying that priests were celebate from the beginning?Fatboy -
(let’s not debate whether Mormons are Christian. That’s fine …I’ll leave it up to you but it should be another new thread)
(another good thread to start - and I’ll leave it up to you - is proofing that the Catholic church had a “great apostasy”. It didn’t … )
But staying topic…now what was the topic? No… the church never approved Polyamy. Please cite references that we can look up.
Through the power of the Holy Ghost. Any person who is sincere can talk with God and receive answers from God through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is a personal revelation. Does he come down and sit on the edge of my bed? No. But just like you have receive answers to your prayers I have received answers to mine.
I think you will find that our experiences are somewhat different. God answers my prayers in more subtle ways. I cannot ever recall his confirming that any of the prophets were genuine and that I should believe them.
The bible is the word of God as far as it has been copied and translated correctly. But man is not perfect and because of the fallibility of man, the bible is not infallible. During its time from when the prophets wrote down Gods word from what we have today there have been mistakes, and influences creep in from the outside. But as a whole it is the word of God. The bible is just one source that God has given man to learn truth. But God revealed the truth in the bible through prophets who wrote down these words. I believe that God had dealings with people on the other side of the world. These people had prophets of God as well and these prophets wrote down these words. A ancient prophet who lived at then took all these writtings and abridged them into what we have now as the Book of Mormon. These writtings were buried by a prophet until the early 1800’s when a young boy was shown where they were buried. After four years he was allowed to remove them and through the gift and power of God was able to translate these writtings. This book is not perfect or infallible either. But it is one of the most correct books that we have. And the reason being is that it did not have as many hands handling it as the bible has.Fatboy -
How does the author of all truth reveal “Truth”? Do you believe that the KJV bible is the infallible Word of God?
My wife just believes that way as well. But being the skeptic I am, God has to pound me in the heart for me to know. But if you ask God if these prophets were of him, wouldnt that be a great blessing? You would know they were genuine.
I’ll pose the question but I will not hold my breath waiting for the answer.
Fatboys -
We have heard this argument before, mistakes, mistranslations, etc., yet no mormon has ever been able to point one out.
Did you intend to overlook this?IF, and that’s a big If…polygamy was commanded by God, why did JS practice it for 5 years before it became “revelation”?
Which by the way happened to coincide with Emma catching him messing around.
I am amazed that the coincidental timing of many mormon revelations in the context of the current events of the time.
Wow 1134? It took a long time.
I understand. A former Roman priest turned Episcopal priest once told me if we open our hearts to God’s spirit He will tell us where He wants us to be. God bless you along your faith jourmey. Peace.
Polygamy has never been the praxis or teaching of the Church. When I say Church I mean the Church that has an unbroken succession from Apostolic times. Polygamy may be acceptable in the Mormon sect which only dates back to the nineteenth century. Polygamy is not, and has never been, a part of Christianity.
No you do not need to hold your breath because Jesus already said, Matt 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. "
Please provide evidence for your statement that polygamy was lived by early Christians and only banned in 1134. What is your source? I have never heard of such hogwash in my life.
Wow, you’re actually taking what he says uncritically? How unsurprising.
I have no doubt whatsoever that God hears my prayers and knows the deepest desires in my heart. He will give me the answer that he knows I need. What I do not believe is that God responds in the way someone else has said.