The aim of this post is to include a brief history out of Mormon records and you can theology. My personal objective isn’t so you can debunk Mormonism or even to prove Christianity. However, I’m hoping that it quick questionnaire tend to show that the 2 aren’t the same.
A quick mention with the supplementary supply: Religious materials do not always reduce Mormonism pretty or wade this new most mile to provide Mormon information because good Mormon perform accept them. One to publication you to definitely do are Andrew Jackson’s Mormonism Explained: Exactly what Latter-go out Saints Train and exercise. In addition recommend A unique Jesus? The fresh Christ of Second-Date New orleans saints by BYU teacher Robert Millet. Richard Mouw concedes excessive in his Foreword and you can Afterword, but it’s nonetheless useful to get Mormon Christology out of good Mormon himself.
Mormon Record
Joseph Smith was born in outlying Vermont into the 1805, the fourth off 9 people. With little to no profits agriculture inside the Vermont, new Smith members of the family went western to help you Palmyra, Ny. Around Joseph Smith was exposed to additional revival movements, and most out-of his family unit members turned Presbyterians, in the event Smith afterwards told you he leaned toward Methodism.
The presence of so many differences of Christianity troubled Smith. What type was best? How would the guy favor? During the that revival fulfilling, an excellent preacher quoted off James 1:5 “If any of you use up all your insights, assist him inquire from God, you to definitely giveth to all guys liberally, and you can upbraideth perhaps not; therefore will likely be provided your” (KJV). Smith, fourteen years old at the time, went domestic, mirrored during these conditions, and you will ran into the woods so you can hope.
Predicated on Mormon tradition, this is where Joseph Smith got 1st vision. Inside attention, which is foundational with the Mormon believe, Smith advertised to see a few “personages.” Usually the one-God the daddy-directed to the other and you may told you, “It is My personal Beloved Young man. Tune in to Your!” Smith expected all of them exactly what sect the guy would be to join. It replied which he is always to join not one of them. They certainly were every completely wrong. Almost all their creeds have been an abomination, and all the believers was in fact corrupt.
36 months later on, Mormons trust Smith received a different sort of attention. Within this attention this new angel Moroni informed Smith off golden dishes tucked under a mountain near Palmyra. New plates was basically shown when you look at the 1827 whenever Smith are available with a couple of training deposits-Urim and you can Thummim-where he may change Tay dili kadД±n the written text (Smith reported the brand new dishes were written in hieroglyphics). Into the 1830 Smith penned The book regarding Mormon, that contains the storyline of your own lost Israelites exactly who migrated to America on 6th century BC but had been murdered into the battle for the Post 428. Smith after received an alternate eyes of John the newest Baptist providing your brand new Aaronic Priesthood.
eight Good reason why Mormonism and you can Christianity Aren’t the same
You to exact same season (1830) Smith depending new “Chapel out of Christ.” Within the 1838 the guy altered the name to “The latest Church from Goodness Christ from Latter-Time Saints.”
Smith continued for revelations advising him to go off This new York so you’re able to Kansas so you’re able to Missouri and finally to help you Illinois in which he and his supporters depending a town titled Nauvoo. There Smith with his supporters tried to live out good utopian sight out-of community. Nonetheless they instituted polygyny as the very early Mormon leadership argued one to God had got of numerous spouses. Smith and his sister had been detained from inside the 1844. Later good mob stormed new prison and killed them each other. Mormons believe Smith an effective martyr. Anyone else say the guy passed away for the a violent capture-out.
Following Smith’s dying there’s a good schism. A little category known as Joe the new Reorganized Church that have headquarters when you look at the Missouri. Most implemented Brigham More youthful, whom became its First President and you can prophet. Inside 1847, Younger got the new supporters to help you Utah and you can established Salt Lake Town.