The Creation Account Contrary to LDS Account?

[Telstar]

Excerpts of two examples from LDS.org:

#1) Adam, the Archangel by Elder Mark E. Petersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Nov. 1980
*The Church of Jesus Christ was well established in the time of Adam (see Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, pp. 157, 169). Men like Seth and Enos grew to become the early patriarchs of the Church, and through them a long line of priesthood leaders was established.

Adam held the keys of the First Presidency and stood directly after the Savior in authority (see Teachings, p. 168). He received those keys in the Creation, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who added, “Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next” (Teachings, pp. 157–58).

Who was Adam that he was privileged to begin the human race here on earth? Had he been some very special personage in the premortal world?

Indeed, Adam was very special and very important. Before coming into mortality, he was known as Michael. The Prophet Joseph Smith clearly identifies both Adam and Michael as one and the same person, an angel, the chief angel, or archangel, of heaven, the special servant of God and Christ.

When Michael came into mortality he was known as Adam, the first man, but he was still his own self. Although he was given another name, that of Adam, he did not change his identity.

After his mortal death he resumed his position as an angel in the heavens, once again serving as the chief angel, or archangel, and took again his former name of Michael.

In his capacity as archangel, Adam, or Michael, will yet perform a mighty mission in the coming years, both before and after the Millennium. This is startling, but the scriptures declare it.

One important assignment that awaits him is to be the angel to sound the trumpet heralding the resurrection of the dead. The scripture reads, “Behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth” (D&C 29:26).

What a marvelous calling for Adam, or Michael. But note that even in this assignment, which is yet future, he still will be an angel—the archangel, but an angel nevertheless.*

#2) *What Modern Revelation Teaches about Adam By Arthur A. Bailey, Jan. '98 Ensign
Reading about Adam’s life from the Bible alone leaves many unanswered questions. How should we feel about our first parents? Should we bewail Adam and Eve for partaking of the forbidden fruit? What did they really know about the teachings and commandments of God?

Fortunately, the Lord has revealed information that helps answer such questions. These truths are found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Book of Mormon, and in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statements in History of the Church and other writings. Indeed, these sacred writings teach that Adam and Eve were majestic and glorious forebears and that they were taught the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ “from the beginning” (Moses 5:58). These sources instruct us about Adam’s life before Eden, in Eden, in mortality, and in his postmortal state. We are fortunate to have this additional material, for when it is understood properly it renews hope and faith in God and instills confidence in the Bible text and in the prophets.

Pre-Eden

The Bible itself attests that life existed before the physical Creation of the earth (see Gen. 2:4–5). However, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned from the book of Moses that God did not just create some forms of life but that he “created all things … spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. … And I … had created all the children of men, … for in heaven created I them” (Moses 3:5). The Prophet taught that during this period of the spirit existence Adam received the priesthood: “He obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith [1979], 157). He was chosen to be the head of the mortal family and was instructed in his role as our earthly progenitor (see Teachings, 158). These sources reveal that Adam and Eve were taught the gospel long before they were in Eden. Indeed, life before Eden was obviously a time of preparation for their important ministry. In the premortal realm, Adam was known as Michael 1 and led the faithful angels of heaven against Lucifer. As a result, Lucifer was cast out of heaven to the earth (see Rev. 12:7–9).

Eden

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith much more about the occurrences in the Garden of Eden than what has survived in the Bible. When Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was privileged to have a tangible, physical body of flesh and bone. “And the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they put the man, whose spirit they had put into the body which they had formed” (Abr. 5:8). He was created in the “very fashion, image and likeness of God” (Teachings, 345).

As the first man, he was given the name of Adam (see Moses 1:33–34). He was still in the presence of God in Eden and continued the intimate relationship he enjoyed with his Father. He was instructed again about his role in the plan of salvation (see Moses 3:16–17; Abr. 5:12–13) and was permitted to name “all cattle, … fowl of the air, and … every beast of the field” in Eden (Moses 3:20). He was also introduced to Eve, who would become a “help meet for him” (i.e., suitable helper; Gen. 2:18).*

 

[Crux_Sacra]

Thank you, Telstar. Not being familiar with their literature it’s easy for me to be overwhelmed.

I see that the books of Moses and Abraham are part of* The Pearl of Great Price*; okay, that makes navigation a little easier.

Either I am missing the verse, or I have noticed a huge plot hole in the Michael/Adam story. So Michael gets installed in a pysical body and is called Adam. Then he dies physically and goes back to being called Michael. Then, at the Second Coming he (not the logical choice of Gabriel) is the trumpeteer as Michael…but at the Resurrection, when the dead are raised what of Michael? He dies as Adam, just like the other angels who died while “experiencing mortality,” and yet no mention of him being resurrected like the others? Shouldn’t he be resurrected as Adam?

While doing a search for “resurrection of Adam” on their site, this page came up:lds.org/scriptures/bd/dispensations.p3?lang=eng&letter=d
which has four paragraphs. The third paragraph ends with:

and through Joseph Smith the foundation was laid for a culmination of the purposes of God on the earth.

Now, a culmination is a climax, the highest point, the most important point. So these guys are saying that the culmination of God’s purposes on earth came not through Jesus Christ but rather Joseph Smith!

And they have the stones to call themselves Christian?:dts:

 

[Miriam1947]

. . .

While doing a search for “resurrection of Adam” on their site, this page came up:lds.org/scriptures/bd/dispensations.p3?lang=eng&letter=d
which has four paragraphs. The third paragraph ends with:

Now, a culmination is a climax, the highest point, the most important point. So these guys are saying that the culmination of God’s purposes on earth came not through Jesus Christ but rather Joseph Smith!

And they have the stones to call themselves Christian?:dts:

Yep. My understanding is that you don’t get to the highest heaven until Joseph Smith approves you.

I’m not sure what role God plays here. Sounds like JS is the arbiter of the last judgement, not God.

 

[mercytruth]

There is ample evidence that Joseph Smith, and most of his leadership of the Mormons were practicing the rituals of Freemasonry, or an adaptation, or unorthodox version thereof. It would only be conjecture to associate the ‘revelations’ of Joseph Smith to his practice of Freemasonry, yet it should not be discounted either.

 

[ParkerD]

Yep. My understanding is that you don’t get to the highest heaven until Joseph Smith approves you.

I’m not sure what role God plays here. Sounds like JS is the arbiter of the last judgement, not God.

Miriam,

Since you don’t understand what role God plays, the answer is that Jesus Christ is the Judge at judgment day.

The meaning of the expression that Joseph Smith “approves” is talking about a role of having the authority from Peter, James and John who restored priesthood authority to the earth for giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to people, and for having authority related to temple ordinances for the living and for ancestors.

One certainly cannot be exalted without having desired, received, and accepted the gift of the Holy Ghost, and as the New Testament plainly teaches, the gift of the Holy Ghost can only be given by authorized priesthood authority. So for those living after the priesthood authority was restored, the gift of the Holy Ghost comes through someone who received that authority through Joseph Smith by means of Peter, James and John having restored it.

 

[MaryIsOurMother]

Miriam,

The meaning of the expression that Joseph Smith “approves” is talking about a role of having the authority from Peter, James and John who restored priesthood authority to the earth for giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to people, and for having authority related to temple ordinances for the living and for ancestors.

.

For clarification here is a direct quote on the subject from none other than Brigham Young :

"Much has been said about the power of the Latter-day Saints. Is it the people called Latter-day Saints that have this power, or is it the Priesthood? It is the Priesthood; and if they live according to that Priesthood, they can commence their work here and gain many victories,

—289—

and be prepared to receive glory, immortality, and eternal life, that when they go into the spirit-world, their work will far surpass that of any other man or being that has not been blessed with the keys of the Priesthood here.

Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter-day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the Latter-day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them—something that, to say the least, is a matter of deep regret to them—namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit-world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—“Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!” But it is true."

Brigham Young, October 9, 1859
Intelligence, Etc.
Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG,
delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859.
Reported by G. D. Watt
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p.282-91

ParkerD - it seems that President Brigham Young’s language is MUCH stronger than yours. Rather than merely “approving,” Joseph Smith actually holds the keys (no mention of St. Peter here) and “He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as GOD does in heaven.”

 

[RebeccaJ]

Miriam,

Since you don’t understand what role God plays, the answer is that Jesus Christ is the Judge at judgment day.

The meaning of the expression that Joseph Smith “approves” is talking about a role of having the authority from Peter, James and John who restored priesthood authority to the earth for giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to people, and for having authority related to temple ordinances for the living and for ancestors.

One certainly cannot be exalted without having desired, received, and accepted the gift of the Holy Ghost, and as the New Testament plainly teaches, the gift of the Holy Ghost can only be given by authorized priesthood authority. So for those living after the priesthood authority was restored, the gift of the Holy Ghost comes through someone who received that authority through Joseph Smith by means of Peter, James and John having restored it.

I’m wondering what this testimony bearing has to do with Smith being the arbitrator of our judgement.

BTW, Mormons don’t have any authority, priesthood or otherwise.

 

[ParkerD]

For clarification here is a direct quote on the subject from none other than Brigham Young :

"Much has been said about the power of the Latter-day Saints. Is it the people called Latter-day Saints that have this power, or is it the Priesthood? It is the Priesthood; and if they live according to that Priesthood, they can commence their work here and gain many victories,

—289—

and be prepared to receive glory, immortality, and eternal life, that when they go into the spirit-world, their work will far surpass that of any other man or being that has not been blessed with the keys of the Priesthood here.

Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter-day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the Latter-day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them—something that, to say the least, is a matter of deep regret to them—namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit-world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—“Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!” But it is true."

Brigham Young, October 9, 1859
Intelligence, Etc.
Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG,
delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859.
Reported by G. D. Watt
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p.282-91

ParkerD - it seems that President Brigham Young’s language is MUCH stronger than yours. Rather than merely “approving,” Joseph Smith actually holds the keys (no mention of St. Peter here) and “He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as GOD does in heaven.”

Hello to you,

The restoration of priesthood authority did involve Peter, James and John giving “keys” to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery that are priesthood authority “keys”.

The words “rule in the spirit-world” have to do with what I had written about. It is a “yea” or “nay” kind of “rule” or in other words, “regulating” as to whether someone who said they had authority to conduct ordinances of the gospel such as giving the gift of the Holy Ghost, really did, since Joseph Smith “holds the keys of the last dispensation.”

But it applies only to those who live during the last dispensation, and the original twelve plus Matthias minus Judas Iscariot “rule” in the same way over the twelve tribes of Israel in a judging capacity just as the New Testament teaches that they have that capacity.

 

[TexanKnight]

Did you notice how deftly Parker avoided discussing the Michael/ Adam issue? This is likely due to the fact BY later declares as a prophet that Adam is actually our God. See how false prophets can weave such tangled webs?

 

[Miriam1947]

Miriam,

Since you don’t understand what role God plays, the answer is that Jesus Christ is the Judge at judgment day.

The meaning of the expression that Joseph Smith “approves” is talking about a role of having the authority from Peter, James and John who restored priesthood authority to the earth for giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to people, and for having authority related to temple ordinances for the living and for ancestors.

One certainly cannot be exalted without having desired, received, and accepted the gift of the Holy Ghost, and as the New Testament plainly teaches, the gift of the Holy Ghost can only be given by authorized priesthood authority. So for those living after the priesthood authority was restored, the gift of the Holy Ghost comes through someone who received that authority through Joseph Smith by means of Peter, James and John having restored it.

Jesus Christ is God so when I say God I am also speaking of Him

There was no restoration since there was no loss.

 

[TexanKnight]

Jesus Christ is God so when I say God I am also speaking of Him

There was no restoration since there was no loss.

Exactly. For there to be a need for a restoration, Jesus would have to be weak and/or dishonest.

 

[Jerusha]

Did you notice how deftly Parker avoided discussing the Michael/ Adam issue? This is likely due to the fact BY later declares as a prophet that Adam is actually our God. See how false prophets can weave such tangled webs?

JD 12:68 − p.69, Brigham Young, June 23rd, 1867
When we got home, said he, “Oh! brother Young, you came right to the point exactly, and I did pray that you might tell us what kind of a being God is.” I replied, “I left you in a puzzle on purpose for
you to guess it. You have read it frequently, and you can hardly read the Bible at all without reading precisely
what kind of a being our Father is.” Said he, “I am not aware that I know anything about it.” I asked him if he
could tell me what kind of a being Adam was. “Oh, Adam was a man like I am.” I asked him if he believed in
the history of creation, as given in Genesis by Moses, for if he did he would find that God said to His
associates, “Let us go down and make man in our own image and likeness.” He believed the history given by
Moses, and had read the passage to which I referred. “Then,” said I, “you must believe that Adam was created
in the exact image of the Father.” He had never thought of that in his life. I told him I had read that many
times to Christians and to Christian ministers, but they would not believe what was in the Bible. Says Jesus,
“Whosoever has seen me has seen the Father.” He is the Being the Latter−day Saints worship; He is a
man−God. Can you get a better term than that − a God−man? It is said that Jesus is the only begotten of the
Father. It is strange that people cannot understand it, but they cannot unless they are told. How can we know
unless we are told, and how can we tell the people unless the Lord tells us to do so? Faith comes by hearing
the word of God declared, and this must be declared by those having authority. This character whom we serve
is God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of our spirits, if the Apostle tells the truth;
if he has not, who can correct him unless they have a revelation from the heavens?

JD 13:187, Orson Pratt, October 7, 1869
Now, how are the angels of God after the resurrection? According to the revelations which God has given,
there are different classes of angels. Some angels are Gods, and still possess the lower office called angels.
Adam is called an Archangel, yet he is a God. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, no doubt, have the right to officiate
in the capacity of angels if they choose, but still they have ascended to their exaltation, to a higher state than
that of angels − namely, to thrones, kingdoms, principalities and powers, to reign over kingdoms and to hold
the everlasting Priesthood. Then there is another order of angels who never have ascended to these powers and
dignities, to this greatness and exaltation in the presence of God. Who are they? Those who never received the
everlasting covenant of marriage for eternity; those who have not continued in nor received that law with all
their hearts, or who, perhaps have fought against it. They become angels. They have no power to increase and
extend forth to kingdoms. They have no wives, no husbands, and they are servants to those that sit upon
thrones and rule over kingdoms, and are counted worthy of a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
These, no doubt, were the kind of angels Jesus had reference to when speaking to those ungodly classes of
beings called Sadducees and Pharisees, one of which denied the doctrine of the resurrection altogether.

There may be more…

 

[Jerusha]

Now, if we are to be judged according to our works I want to proceed a little further. You will permit me to be
plain in making my remarks; in so doing, however, I may interfere with individual ears and feelings. I have a
word to say to my sisters. When I reflect upon the duties and responsibilities devolving upon our mothers and
sisters, and the influence they wield, I look upon them as the mainspring and soul of our being here. It is true
that man is first. Father Adam was placed here as king of the earth, to bring it into subjection. But when
Mother Eve came she had a splendid influence over him. A great many have thought it was not very good; I
think it was excellent. After she had partaken of the fruit she carried it to her husband, saying, “Husband, a
certain character came to me and said if you will eat of this fruit you will find it excellent, and it will make
you as Gods, knowing good from evil; and I have tasted it, and I assure you it is excellent.” Her influence was
so great with Adam that he also partook of it, and his eyes were opened. You know the result − they were both
driven from the garden. Before this, however, they were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth and
thus fill the measure of their creation.
Yes, sometimes; and there is truth in
the words of an angel, and in the words of the devil, and when the devil speaks the truth I should have the
spirit to discriminate between the truth and the error, and should receive the former and reject the latter. For
example, you read in Genesis about the formation of the earth and the creation of Adam and Eve in the
Garden. By and by the devil comes along and tempts Eve, by offering her the fruit of a certain tree, assuring
her at the same time that the very day she ate of it her eyes would be open and she would see like the Gods.
Did the devil tell the truth? He did. Did he tell a lie? Yes, and how many of them he told to one truth I have
not taken pains to examine. You take a wicked person, an opposer of the truth, one of our apostates, for
instance, and he will tell you a little truth and mix it up with a great deal of error; but we should know enough
to understand and receive the truth; that will do us good, and if we reject the error it will do us no harm.
JD 14:160 − p.161, Brigham Young, June 4, 1871

 

[Jerusha]

JD 18:341 − p.342, Orson Pratt, February 25, 1877
Who would be the most likely person to fill this important position? He is called the Ancient of Days.
Can you tell me, who the most ancient person is that lived on the earth, during the most ancient days?
All, all will acknowledge that it is Adam. Inasmuch as he has proven himself a righteous man, it is
right and proper that he should by divine appointment, have dominion over the righteous of his
posterity, who should exist from his day, down to that period, when he comes in his glory; and this ten
thousand times ten thousand spoken of will be the faithful of his own posterity. They shall stand
before him, and certain books are then to be opened. If we understand the nature of those records, we
should doubtless find much written concerning kingdoms, nations and individuals. They are the
records which are kept in heaven, in which all things pertaining to the peoples of the earth are
recorded. Or, as the Book of Mormon expresses it, giving the language of the Savior when on this
American continent, that “all things are written by the Father;” that is by his authority, by his direction
are all things written. The records of the nations − their rise and decadence, with everything pertaining
to them, in a national capacity, will be written. Then there will be the records of families and of
individuals, even of all people and tongues of the earth. The books will be opened, and judgment will
sit. What judgment? Not the final judgment, because that is to take place more than a thousand years
after this. This judgment refers to the nations that will then exist, and it is out of these records and by
this judgment will they be judged. The calamities spoken of will take place in fulfillment of the
Scriptures, and of the great purposes of Jehovah.

JD 18:342, Orson Pratt, February 25, 1877
It may be asked, Do you think this vast congregation will actually come, and, if so, to what place will
they come? I will read a new revelation upon the subject given May 18, 1838, almost thirty−nine
years ago. It was given when the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Latter−day Saints, had gathered
themselves together in Missouri, about forty or fifty miles north of Jackson County. They had
assembled at a place that they called Spring Hill, and the Lord revealed to Joseph, on that occasion,
things concerning this great event. This place, Spring Hill, is alluded to by the Lord, in this revelation,
as being anciently called Adam−ondi−Ahman, because it is the place where Adam shall come to visit
his children, or the place where the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet.
Here, then, we have a key to the important personage, called the Ancient of Days, that he is our father
Adam, and that he is to sit in judgment, among certain numbers of his children, in that certain region
of country.

Reasonably consistent, beginning about 1861

 

[MaryIsOurMother]

The following reference is to a LDS site which will clear up a lot of misunderstandings for those of us who have never read Mormon literature (BOM, book of Moses, book of Abraham, Pearl of Great Price) concerning the creation account :

institute.lds.org/manuals/old-testament-institute-student-manual-1/ot-in1-02-gen-a-3.asp

While the whole thing is worth studying, I will only comment on a few statements:

1. “Had Adam and Eve not transgressed the law given in Eden, they would have had no children."

I don’t see how the author reconciles this with Gen 1:28 “Be fertile and multiply” which is stated before the account of the fall. In other writings many LDS teachers praise the fall of Adam and Eve as a good thing since it leads to Jesus Christ being our Savior. To me it is like praising the deeds of a criminal as a good thing because it allows for a benefactor to pay for his bail.

1. “The devil in tempting Eve told a truth when he said unto her that when she should eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they should become as Gods."

This is the basic disagreement between Christians and Mormons. Christians believe Satan lied to Adam and Eve, while Mormons believe Satan told the truth. The simple truth is:

Christians believe GOD became man
Mormons believe a man became GOD

 

[TexanKnight]

It is all very confusing. To be LDS is to be confused.

Joseph said The Father was Spirit
Joseph said the Father was Flesh
Jesus and Michael create the earth like they had created so many other planets
Michael becomes Adam
Adam is God

So the Angel Michael is God?

wow…

just wow

 

[mercytruth]

When all is said and done, Joseph Smith was not only a false prophet, but he was an antichrist. The LDS is built on the foundation of a false prophet and an anti-christ. In the words of Joseph Smith, himself:

josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3b62982b9ab42010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD

We need to pray for Mormons, they have been desparately deceived. May God deliver them from this darkness of deception, and be brought into the light of the true prophet and Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[TexanKnight]

When all is said and done, Joseph Smith was not only a false prophet, but he was an antichrist. The LDS is built on the foundation of a false prophet and an anti-christ. In the words of Joseph Smith, himself:

josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3b62982b9ab42010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD

We need to pray for Mormons, they have been desparately deceived. May God deliver them from this darkness of deception, and be brought into the light of the true prophet and Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen

 

[Crux_Sacra]

ParkerD,
We’re still waiting for your response the the Michael/Adam question.

But in the meantime,
Your claims of restoration of the Church do not hold water. From the Gospel according to St. Matthew: (Douai-Rheims)
Mat 16:15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Here we read about St. Peter’s confession of Jesus being the Christ, and Jesus blessing St. Peter. Notice that in the second blessing Jesus declares that he will build his Church upon St. Peter, and further declares that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. For the Church to have fallen into error and be “restored” by the Mormons over a thousand years later, Jesus Chirst would have to have been a complete liar. Jesus, who is Truth itself, would have had to be a complete liar. So anyone who says that the Church fell into error and had to be replaced is calling Jesus Christ a liar. And let’s face it, the word really is “replace” and not “restore,” since a restoration would have happened on the “ruins” of the original Church and Joseph Smith went somewhere else, poured a fresh foundation, and created something entirely new.

 

[Jerusha]

Parker can read, but he no longer has the privilege of posting. Maybe one of his buddies will join us.