Book of Mormon

[Richard7]

Evangelicals, Critics and Anti LDS have difficulty with what to do with the Book of Mormon. Always looking for that one single silver bullet that will disprove
the Translation of Gold Plates by Joseph Smith into what is now called the Book of Mormon... none have succeeded and many have tried. Most critics go after anomalies they claim deviates from normal expected standards of archeologist studies of artifacts or objects of human cultural and historical interest....

Three early critics set the agenda for the first sustained criticisms of the book. Abner Cole, Alexander Campbell, and Eber D. Howe each alleged Joseph Smith used the Book of Mormon as part of an elaborate scheme to defraud the public. Cole (writing under the pseudonym Obadiah Dogberry) published excerpts of the Book of Mormon in his newspaper before the press had finished printing the book. Although Cole complied with Joseph’s demands to cease reproducing excerpts, he continued to write articles ridiculing the Book of Mormon and denouncing what he felt was religious fanaticism. Two years later, restorationist minister Alexander Campbell went further, publishing “an analysis of the Book of Mormon,” which examined the book for inconsistencies with the Bible. Campbell argued Joseph lifted the Book of Mormon’s unique elements from his culture, simply echoing religious ideas from his own time.1 Ohio journalist Eber Howe thought the book was beyond Joseph’s genius and contended Joseph had plagiarized stories from an unpublished manuscript written by a man named Solomon Spaulding.2 In support of this theory, he published stories from disaffected Latter-day Saints and testimonies from Palmyra residents willing to swear statements against Joseph Smith.

By the late 20th century, academic scholarship began to take seriously the literary quality and religious influence of the Book of Mormon. Starting in 2003, university presses and trade publishers issued their own editions of the Book of Mormon.9 Some literary critics, setting aside the subject of religious belief, acknowledge the complex narrative and noteworthy rhetorical style of the book. These studies may signal a less antagonistic future for scholarly analysis of the Book of Mormon.

Critics of the Book of Mormon

Critics of the Book of Mormon

www.churchofjesuschrist.org

 

[The Prophet]

Why doesn’t the BOM mention most of LDS teachings?​

Like baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, three degrees of glory, that God the Father was a man, plurality of gods, tempory hell, pre-existence of spirits, eternal progression, eternal intelligence, priesthood needed to act for god, plural marriage, polygamy, word of wisdom, secret handshakes etc.



God has a body of flesh and bones,

God is an exalted man,

God is a product of eternal progression,

There is a plurality of gods (polytheism),

Men may become gods,

The Trinity consists of three separate God,

There is no eternal hell and punishment,

“Intelligences” are eternal

The preexistence of humans as spirits,

Marriage for eternity Three degrees of glory,

A Mother in heaven,

A New Testament – era “Melchizidek Priesthood”,

with the offices and functions of elder,

high priest, seventy, patriarch, and apostle A New Testament

– era “Aaronic Priesthood” with the offices and functions of deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop

The functions and offices of evangelists, bishoprics, stake presidencies, apostles, a first presidency, and president of the Church Baptism for the dead and “second-chance salvation”

 

[Richard7]

Why doesn’t the BOM mention most of LDS teachings?​

Like baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, three degrees of glory, that God the Father was a man, plurality of gods, tempory hell, pre-existence of spirits, eternal progression, eternal intelligence, priesthood needed to act for god, plural marriage, polygamy, word of wisdom, secret handshakes etc.



God has a body of flesh and bones,

God is an exalted man,

God is a product of eternal progression,

There is a plurality of gods (polytheism),

Men may become gods,

The Trinity consists of three separate God,

There is no eternal hell and punishment,

“Intelligences” are eternal

The preexistence of humans as spirits,

Marriage for eternity Three degrees of glory,

A Mother in heaven,

A New Testament – era “Melchizidek Priesthood”,

with the offices and functions of elder,

high priest, seventy, patriarch, and apostle A New Testament

– era “Aaronic Priesthood” with the offices and functions of deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop

The functions and offices of evangelists, bishoprics, stake presidencies, apostles, a first presidency, and president of the Church Baptism for the dead and “second-chance salvation”

You never read it, you like all other critics have no idea of the Fulness of the Gospel as found in the Book of Mormon.... Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end.... all found in the Book of Mormon and known as the Fulness of the Gospel..

Enduring to end incorporates all the above teachings... you do yourself a disservice for not understanding what, how and why we teach all the other issues you claim has to be in the Book of Mormon.... ignorance of Gods plan is obvious in your above reply...

 

[The Prophet]

You never read it, you like all other critics have no idea of the Fulness of the Gospel as found in the Book of Mormon.... Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end.... all found in the Book of Mormon and known as the Fulness of the Gospel..

Enduring to end incorporates all the above teachings... you do yourself a disservice for not understanding what, how and why we teach all the other issues you claim has to be in the Book of Mormon.... ignorance of Gods plan is obvious in your above reply...

Answers to Gospel Questions Vol. 3 pp 98-99 under Counsel given by President Charles W. Penrose

Now, some of our brethren have taken up quite a discussion as to the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, that those who like to get up a dispute, say that the Book of Mormon does not contain any reference to the work of salvation for the dead, and that there are many other things pertaining to the gospel that are not developed in that book, and yet we are told that the book contains "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." well what is the fulnesspel? You read carefully the revelation in regard to the three glories, section 76, in the Doctrine and Covanants, and you find there defined what the gospel is, There God the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, his son, and the Holy Ghost, are held up as the three persons in the Trinity-the one God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principals, you get the fulness of the gospel for this reason:

General Conference Report, April 1922, pp 27-28.

1 Cor 15:1-4

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

 

[Richard7]

Answers to Gospel Questions Vol. 3 pp 98-99 under Counsel given by President Charles W. Penrose

Now, some of our brethren have taken up quite a discussion as to the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, that those who like to get up a dispute, say that the Book of Mormon does not contain any reference to the work of salvation for the dead, and that there are many other things pertaining to the gospel that are not developed in that book, and yet we are told that the book contains "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." well what is the fulnesspel? You read carefully the revelation in regard to the three glories, section 76, in the Doctrine and Covanants, and you find there defined what the gospel is, There God the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, his son, and the Holy Ghost, are held up as the three persons in the Trinity-the one God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principals, you get the fulness of the gospel for this reason:

General Conference Report, April 1922, pp 27-28.

Chuckle.... thx, Penrose absolutely explains the fulness of the Gospel and acknowledges its taught in the Book of Mormon as did I...
Mormon; D&C 20
Book of Mormon....
9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;

Well, what is the fulness of the gospel? You read care-
fully the revelation in regard to the three glories, section 76, in the
Doctrine and Covenants, and you find there defined what the gospel
is. There God, the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, and the
Holy Ghost, are held up as the three persons in the Trinity — the one
God. the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being united
and being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey
the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you
get the fulness of the gospel for this reason: If you really believe
so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ,
the Redeemer, and will hear Him, you will learn all about what is
needed to be done for the salvation of the living and the redemption of
the dead.

The Book of Mormon was never meant to be a set of books explaining many aspects of our Doctrine, so what is the purpose of the BOM?
It is to point to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the only way to Celestial Glory is through Him and by his grace... I already explained that the Book of Mormon teaches us, Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Gift of the Holy Ghost.... milk before the meat and line upon line. To endure to the end encompasses all the rest of what we have been taught about the Temple, Ordinances and Covenants.... many things which are sacred and not to be cast before the swine... why would we want to be mocked? Many things not in the BOM are sacred and not to be ridiculed...

Penrose
When people believe in that doctrine and obey
the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you
get the fulness of the gospel for this reason:

Penrose
If you really believe so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ,
the Redeemer, and will hear Him, you will learn all about what is
needed to be done for the salvation of the living and the redemption of
the dead.

1 Cor 15:1-4

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

What about the 40 days and nights after the resurrection and Christ Taught the Kingdom of God to many of his disciples and not one word is recorded... what sacred ordinances, covenants and salvation issues were discussed there? hmm

 

[Elijah the Tishbite]

Chuckle.... thx, Penrose absolutely explains the fulness of the Gospel and acknowledges its taught in the Book of Mormon as did I...
Mormon; D&C 20
Book of Mormon....
9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;

Well, what is the fulness of the gospel? You read care-
fully the revelation in regard to the three glories, section 76, in the
Doctrine and Covenants, and you find there defined what the gospel
is. There God, the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, and the
Holy Ghost, are held up as the three persons in the Trinity — the one
God. the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being united
and being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey
the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you
get the fulness of the gospel for this reason: If you really believe
so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ,
the Redeemer, and will hear Him, you will learn all about what is
needed to be done for the salvation of the living and the redemption of
the dead.

The Book of Mormon was never meant to be a set of books explaining many aspects of our Doctrine, so what is the purpose of the BOM?
It is to point to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the only way to Celestial Glory is through Him and by his grace... I already explained that the Book of Mormon teaches us, Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Gift of the Holy Ghost.... milk before the meat and line upon line. To endure to the end encompasses all the rest of what we have been taught about the Temple, Ordinances and Covenants.... many things which are sacred and not to be cast before the swine... why would we want to be mocked? Many things not in the BOM are sacred and not to be ridiculed...

Penrose
When people believe in that doctrine and obey
the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you
get the fulness of the gospel for this reason:

Penrose
If you really believe so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ,
the Redeemer, and will hear Him, you will learn all about what is
needed to be done for the salvation of the living and the redemption of
the dead.





What about the 40 days and nights after the resurrection and Christ Taught the Kingdom of God to many of his disciples and not one word is recorded... what sacred ordinances, covenants and salvation issues were discussed there? hmm

Apparently the disciples never mentioned those sacred ordinances, covenants and salvation issues

D&C 84:26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.
​

 

[brotherofJared]

What about the 40 days and nights after the resurrection and Christ Taught the Kingdom of God to many of his disciples and not one word is recorded... what sacred ordinances, covenants and salvation issues were discussed there? hmm

Were taught there...

 

[brotherofJared]

Apparently the disciples never mentioned those sacred ordinances, covenants and salvation issues

D&C 84:26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.
​

So what's your point?

 

[Richard7]

No reply...

 

[Richard7]

Were taught there...

I often wonder about that marvelous event, seeing and listening to our Savior, our Resurrected Savior teaching the many things which were to sacred to be put in the Cannon of Scripture... ask most Evangelicals and they evade or distance themselves from any discussion of 40 days of teachings.... they claim its all in the scriptures and unnecessary to repeat all that Christ had already spoken about... yea right!

 

[Magdalena]

Evangelicals, Critics and Anti LDS have difficulty with what to do with the Book of Mormon. Always looking for that one single silver bullet that will disprove
the Translation of Gold Plates by Joseph Smith into what is now called the Book of Mormon... none have succeeded and many have tried. Most critics go after anomalies they claim deviates from normal expected standards of archeologist studies of artifacts or objects of human cultural and historical interest....

Critics of the Book of Mormon

Critics of the Book of Mormon

www.churchofjesuschrist.org

Joseph Smith fit the criteria Christ gave us for recognizing false prophets. Even without the Book of Mormon. It’s not necessary to try to prove its false, because it came from a false prophet. But there is adequate evidence against it by itself.

If you need other witnesses for Christ besides the Bible and the Holy Spirit, perhaps you don’t have enough faith in Him and what He told us.

 

[Magdalena]

I often wonder about that marvelous event, seeing and listening to our Savior, our Resurrected Savior teaching the many things which were to sacred to be put in the Cannon of Scripture... ask most Evangelicals and they evade or distance themselves from any discussion of 40 days of teachings.... they claim its all in the scriptures and unnecessary to repeat all that Christ had already spoken about... yea right!

Why would it have been different than what He had taught for three years? If there was anything else essential to us, He would have said so.

 

[Elijah the Tishbite]

Joseph Smith fit the criteria Christ gave us for recognizing false prophets. Even without the Book of Mormon. It’s not necessary to try to prove its false, because it came from a false prophet. But there is adequate evidence against it by itself.

If you need other witnesses for Christ besides the Bible and the Holy Spirit, perhaps you don’t have enough faith in Him and what He told us.

The Book of Mormon teach Joseph Smith was a False prophet​

 

[Elijah the Tishbite]

The Book of Mormon teach Joseph Smith was a False prophet​

Why would God tell Joseph Smith JR the Creeds were an abomination and professors were corrupt and the then give Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon which agreed with these Creeds and professors?

Pearl of Great Price , Joseph Smith History

19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

Here are Joseph Smith statements against the Creeds and the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 31:

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

Alma 11:

44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.


Mormon 7:

7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

The Testimony of Three Witnesses

And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

Oliver Cowdery

David Whitmer

Martin Harris



1 Nephi 13: 41 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth.


Doctrine and Covenants 20 :

28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.


1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. Joseph Smith translation

Moses 1:6

6 And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son; and thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior, for he is full of grace and truth; but there is no God beside me, and all things are present with me, for I know them all.



COUNSEL GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CHARLES W. PENROSE

Now, some of our brethren have taken up quite a discussion as to the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, that those who like to get up a dispute, say that the Book of Mormon does not contain any reference to the work of salvation for the dead and that there are many other things pertaining to the gospel that are not developed in that book, and yet we are told that the book contains "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." Well, what is the fulness of the gospel? You read carefully the revelation in regard to the three glories, Section 76, in the Doctrine and Covenants, and you find there defined what the gospel is. There God, the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, his Son, and the Holy Ghost, are held up as the three Persons in the Trinity—the one God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you get the fulness of the gospel for this reason: If you really believe so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, and will hear him, you will learn ail about what is needed to be done for the salvation of the living and redemption of the dead.

(General Conference Report, April 1922, pp. 27-28.)

"I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods," (Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370)

Why does the Book of Mormon agree completely with the 4th and 5th century creeds and completely disagree with the teachings of Joseph Smith?

"I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods," (Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370)

 

[Elijah the Tishbite]

Joseph Smith taught God was not God from Eternity yet the Book of Mormon say he was ​

Moroni 7:22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting , behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

2 Nephi 27:23

For behold, I am god; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

2 Nephi 29:9

And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. from all eternity to all eternity.


Mormon 9:9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever , and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?Mormon 9:19

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchanging Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.” Moroni 8:18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable

2 Nephi 19:9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

Moroni 7:22

For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them; D&C 20:17


2 Nephi 25:29

And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

Mosiah 3:5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.

So the Book of Mormon tells us Joseph Smith was a False teacher ​

 

[Richard7]

Joseph Smith fit the criteria Christ gave us for recognizing false prophets. Even without the Book of Mormon. It’s not necessary to try to prove its false, because it came from a false prophet. But there is adequate evidence against it by itself.

If you need other witnesses for Christ besides the Bible and the Holy Spirit, perhaps you don’t have enough faith in Him and what He told us.

So Magdalena joins the choirs of the many who give up on proving the Book of Mormon isn't true.... Her claim is JS was a false prophet of God , hence how could it be true... never dealing with facts, evidence concerning what's in the Book of Mormon and what it teaches.... don't read it because it was written by a false Prophet.... or read it because God has promised to make it known to any individual seeking truth, humbles themselves and with real intent wants to know.... God promised: "he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

[Richard7]

Why would it have been different than what He had taught for three years? If there was anything else essential to us, He would have said so.

Why would He feel it necessary to teach for 40 days.... why not one word is recorded except that He taught the Kingdom of God... you will have to ask that question yourself, seems you already have and have found the answer that best suits you... I'm fine with that, why hope for more light and knowledge from Heaven...

 

[Richard7]

The Book of Mormon teach Joseph Smith was a False prophet​

Validate that! what facts, evidence can you point to that corroborates your simple reply... chuckle. Alert, when someone replies with a 11 word sentence you can be sure they are just speculating or have not been able to enlarge on their theory....

 

[brotherofJared]

I often wonder about that marvelous event, seeing and listening to our Savior, our Resurrected Savior teaching the many things which were to sacred to be put in the Cannon of Scripture... ask most Evangelicals and they evade or distance themselves from any discussion of 40 days of teachings.... they claim its all in the scriptures and unnecessary to repeat all that Christ had already spoken about... yea right!

It's not completely lost to us. There are whispers of what was taught, for example the glories in the resurrection. That's clearly temple litergy. Baptism for the dead - also temple. And women veiling their faces. All temple. Also, all esoteric theology even today. Also, noteworthy is how they strived to live the united order. This also occurred when Christ visited the Americas after his resurrection and again when the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith. There is still more. I'm fascinated about how little is understood about the priesthood. There is almost nothing in the Bible about it, but the New Testament apostles seemed to understand. There is literally no mention of it in any of Christ's teaching. The only thing I could find what Christ mentioning Ps 110, but that wasn't about the priesthood or Melchizedek. There clearly was a priesthood order before the Aaronic priesthood and our critics know nothing about it.

These are only some of the things that must have been taught during that period and, of course, our critics know nothing about any of that either.

Our critics claim that baptism for the dead was an instance of Paul using a pagan ritual to prove the resurrection. First off, why would pagan ordinances prove anything that we believe? Why would Paul use something that isn't true to prove something that is? And then, why can none of our critics produce this pagan ritual where supposedly it was performed for the dead who will rise in the resurrection? It is obvious, IMO, that Paul's audience knew exactly what he was talking about. It was an idea that was as popular to them as it was to us.

How far the apple has fallen from the tree... A fruit that is no longer a part of the vine.

 

[Richard7]

Why would God tell Joseph Smith JR the Creeds were an abomination and professors were corrupt and the then give Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon which agreed with these Creeds and professors?

Pearl of Great Price , Joseph Smith History

Well you should study mainly the corrupt creeds that were put forth by many who claimed they were Bishops, preachers and learned men..
All spoke from their own knowledge, not one of them claimed to have authority to discern and translate scripture ...

19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

Here are Joseph Smith statements against the Creeds and the Book of Mormon






COUNSEL GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CHARLES W. PENROSE

Now, some of our brethren have taken up quite a discussion as to the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, that those who like to get up a dispute, say that the Book of Mormon does not contain any reference to the work of salvation for the dead and that there are many other things pertaining to the gospel that are not developed in that book, and yet we are told that the book contains "the fulness of the everlasting gospel." Well, what is the fulness of the gospel? You read carefully the revelation in regard to the three glories, Section 76, in the Doctrine and Covenants, and you find there defined what the gospel is. There God, the Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ, his Son, and the Holy Ghost, are held up as the three Persons in the Trinity—the one God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, all three being one God. When people believe in that doctrine and obey the ordinances which are spoken of in the same list of principles, you get the fulness of the gospel for this reason: If you really believe so as to have faith in our Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, and will hear him, you will learn ail about what is needed to be done for the salvation of the living and redemption of the dead.

(General Conference Report, April 1922, pp. 27-28.)

All the above is true... now why is the Book of Mormon in your opinion a false book? I'm not asking about LDS doctrine which you seem to think validates any thing to do with the topic.... nice try, now prove the Book of Mormon isn't everything it claims to be...