Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth prophet/president of the Mormon church, said the following:

We are not the only people that the Lord has created. We have brothers and sisters on other earths. They look like us because they, too, are the children of God and were created in his image, for they are also his offspring. Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, Page 62

Brigham Young, second prophet/president of the Mormon church, announced the following two gems of wisdom:

Mankind are here because they are the offspring of parents who were first brought here from another planet, and power was given them to propagate their species. Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, Page 285, 1859

We are called ignorant; so we are: but what of it? Are not all ignorant? I rather think so. Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon? When we view its face we may see what is termed “the man in the moon,” and what some philosophers declare are the shadows of mountains. But these sayings are very vague, and amount to nothing; and when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized. Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, Page 271, 1870

William A. Linn had this to say about Martin Harris, one of the three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon,:

Daniel Hendrix relates that as he and [Martin] Harris were riding to the village one evening, and he remarked on the beauty of the moon, Harris replied that if his companion could only see it as he had, he might well call it beautiful, explaining that he had actually visited the moon, and added that it “was only the faithful who were permitted to visit celestial regions.” William A. Linn, The Story of the Mormons, Page 35, 1902

Oliver B. Huntington, who was a close associate of Joseph Smith and remained a faithful Mormon his whole life, said:

Astronomers and philosophers have, from time almost immemorial until very recently, asserted that the moon was uninhabited, that it had n atmosphere, etc. But recent discoveries, through the means of powerful telescopes, have given scientists a doubt or two upon the old theory. Nearly all the great discoveries of men in the last half century have, in one way or another, either directly or indirectly, contributed to prove Joseph Smith to be a prophet. As far back as 1837, I know that he said the moon was inhabited by men and women the same as this earth, and that they lived to a greater age than we do, that they live generally to near the age of a 1000 years. He described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style. In my Patriarchal blessing, given by the father of Joseph the Prophet, in Kirtland, 1837, I was told that I should preach the gospel before I was 21 years of age; that I should preach the gospel to the inhabitants upon the islands of the sea, and–to the inhabitants of the moon, even the planet you can now behold with your eyes. Young Woman’s Journal, Volume 3, pages 263-264, 1892

Huntington also told of founding prophet/president Joseph Smith’s teaching regarding the moon:

“The inhabitants of the moon are more of a uniform size than the inhabitants of the earth, being about 6 feet in height. They dress very much like the quaker style and are quite general in style, or fashion of dress. They live to be very old; coming generally, near a thousand years.” This is the description of them as given by Joseph the Seer, and he could “see” whatever he asked the father in the name of Jesus to see. The Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Volume 3, Page 166

   Cursed be that man or angel who preaches another gospel, or perverts the true gospel of Christ.

Orson Pratt

The Seer

Page 255

April 1854

At that great gathering Adam offered sacrifices on an altar built for the purpose. A remnant of that very altar remained on the spot down through the ages. On May 19, 1838, Joseph Smith and a number of his associates stood on the remainder of the pile of stones at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri.

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 21

“They tell us the Book of Mormon states that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost. I challenge that statement. The Book of Mormon teaches no such thing! Neither does the Bible. It is true there is one passage that states so, but we must consider it in light of other passages with which it is in conflict.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, Page 18

. . . The child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20

You’ve seen what Mormons really think of Christians, but what have they taught regarding the the Apostle Paul?

Jedediah M. Grant:

“When Peter came to Antioch,” says Paul, “I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed,” &c. Paul does not gain much credit with the Mormons for taking this course. We know he had no right to rebuke Peter; but some man said he was like Almon Babbit, he wanted to boast of rebuking Peter. He thought it was a feather in his cap because he coped with Peter and rebuked him. Had that affair come before a “Mormon” tribunal, they would have decided in favour [sic] of Peter, and against Paul. We believe when Paul rebuked Peter, he had in him a spirit of rebellion, and was decidedly wrong in rebelling against the man who held the keys of the kingdom of God on earth. Journal of Discourses, Volume 1, Page 346, 1853

Joseph Smith:

[The Apostle] Paul, if Joseph Smith is a blasphemer, you are. I say there are Gods many and Lords many, but to us only one, and we are to be in subjection to that one and no man can limit the bounds or the eternal existence of eternal time. Hath he beheld the eternal world, and is he authorized to say that there is only one God? He makes himself a fool if he thinks or says so, and there is an end of his career or progress in knowledge. History of the Church, Volume 6, Pages 474-475

Paul had seven churches, and they drove him off from among them; and yet they cannot do it by me. History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 478

I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. History of the Church, Volume 6, Pages 408-409

That is, of course, until you actually take them up on that offer. Then you’re called names and are accused of “attacking” them.

Teachers of false doctrine always speak out of both sides of their mouth and they always want to be left alone; preferring to operate in the darkness without any resistance. And they always–without fail–mischaracterize those who interfere with their spreading of false doctrine.

I think a full, free talk is frequently of great use; we want nothing secret nor underhanded, and I for one want no association with things that cannot be talked about and will not bear investigation.
John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Volume 20, Page 264

I say to the whole world, receive the truth, no matter who presents it to you. Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 16, Page 46

If this is not correct doctrine then I am in error, and if I am in error I want to be corrected.
Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 20, Page 31

If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.
George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, Page 216

The Book of Mormon can and should be tested. It invites criticism.
Hugh Nibley, An Approach to the Book of Mormon, Page 13

Convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instrumental in the hands of God redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds. Come, then, let us reason together, and try to discover the true light upon all subjects, connected with our temporal or eternal happiness; and if we disagree, in our judgments, let us impute it to the weakness and imperfections of our fallen natures, and let us pity each other, and endeavor with patience and meekness to reclaim from error, and save the immortal soul from an endless death.
Orson Pratt, The Seer, Pages 15-16

If any man has a truth that we have not got, we say, “Let us have it.” I am willing to exchange all the errors and false notions I have for one truth, and should consider that I had made a good bargain. We are not afraid of light and truth. Our religion embraces every truth in heaven, earth or hell; it embraces all truth.
Wilford Woodruff, Journal of Discourses, Volume 18, Page 117

The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, scriptures.
The Millennial Star, Volume 96, Pages 33-34

You’ve seen the occult symbols on the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City in this previous post. Now here’s a video showing these same Satanic symbols on the Mormon temple in Nauvoo.

If you choose to do so, you can skip ahead to 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the video to begin seeing the Satanic symbols.

It is no secret that many false and vain and foolish things are being taught in the sectarian world even among us about our need to gain a special relationship with the Lord Jesus. . . . In an attempt to be truer than true [Christians] devote themselves to gaining a special, personal relationship with Christ that is both improper and perilous. . . . Another peril is that those involved begin to pray directly to Christ because of some special friendship they feel has been developed. In this connection a current and unwise book, which advocates gaining a special relationship with Jesus, contains this sentence—“Because the Savior is our mediator, our prayers go through Christ to the Father, and the Father answers our prayers through His Son.” This is plain sectarian nonsense. Our prayers are addressed to the Father and the Father only. They do not go through Christ. Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, Page 5, March 20, 1982

All of the prophets since Christ have testified that he did come. All of us need to study the life of the Savior and follow him faithfully throughout our lives. We each need to have a personal relationship with Him. Gospel Principles, Page 61, 1997

What a difference fifteen years makes.

Gordon B. Hinckley

1910 – 2008

Read the News article here.

HT: Fourpointer

“Every man has a natural and, in our country, a constitutional right to be a false prophet as well as a true prophet.”

Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, Page 3, 1844

When is an “everlasting covenant” not an “everlasting covenant?” When it’s politically expedient for Utah to be recognized as a State; also known as “because we said so.”

Besides using your common sense, (and your common knowledge of the meaning of the word everlasting), Dictionary.com defines the word everlasting as “lasting forever; eternal.”

Even the 1997 edition of the LDS published book Gospel Principles says, “The fulness [sic] of the gospel is called the new and everlasting covenant. . . . The Lord calls it ‘everlasting’ because it is ordained by an everlasting God and because the covenant will never be changed.“

Yet, this very concept does not apply to the “new and everlasting covenant” of polygamy. And why not? Because the “new and everlasting covenant” of polygamy isn’t popular anymore in Mormonism.

In 1843, Mormon prophet Joseph Smith received the following from “God” on the new (and everlasting) doctrine of polygamy:

For behold, I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed . . . before the foundation of the world. And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness [sic] of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness [sic] thereof must and shall be damned, saith the Lord God. Doctrine & Covenants, 132:4-6, July 12, 1843

This is further advanced by Mormonism’s second prophet Brigham Young when he said in the Deseret News on November 14, 1855:

“Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned . . .“

Joseph F. Smith in the Journal of Discourses, volume 20, page 31 said:

“I understand the law of celestial marriage to mean that every man in this Church, who has the ability to obey and practice it in righteousness and will not, shall be damned, I say I understand it to mean this and nothing less, and I testify in the name of Jesus that it does mean that.”

Although polygamy is not an issue for fundamentalist Mormons who continue to practice the teachings of Joseph Smith, it is a huge problem for mainstream Mormons who try to separate themselves from polygamy. The mainstream Mormon has to come to one of the following conclusions:

1. The Mormon god is incapable of foreseeing that his own “everlasting covenant” wouldn’t be everlasting.

2. The Mormon god is not the same yesterday, today, and forever and is subject to change on a whim, (or when it’s advantageous for Utah to become a state). In that case it just further proves the god of Mormonism is not the God of Christians. And besides, who wants to follow a god who changes from day to day? One who says one thing one day, then something else the next?

3. The fundamentalist Mormons who still practice the “everlasting covenant” of polygamy (and who would be damned if they didn’t) are true Mormons and the mainstream Mormons are apostate.

4. Joseph Smith wasn’t a true prophet.

So to my mainstream Mormon readers, which is it?

“When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go.” History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 409, 1844

Here’s the full 16 minute Hinckley interview from 2002. Watch as Prophet/President Hinckley evades answers some tough questions like: 1) Dissidents; 2) Racism (“we’re developing them [blacks]”); 3) Being viewed by all other churches as a religious sect [cult]; 4) If they’d prefer to have better relations with the other, older churches (Joseph Smith must be rolling in the grave with Hinckley’s answer); and 5) The DNA problem.

Hinckley’s attempt at defending Mormonism on the DNA question is another classic lesson in evasiveness. He claims that it’s all speculation and it hasn’t been proven yet. Well Mr. Hinckley, that was over five years ago when you said that. The evidence is in and DNA has proven the Book of Mormon to be false! (To watch the video DNA vs the Book of Mormon, click here).

It’s entertaining to watch as Hinckley’s voice gets higher and cracks when he attempts to answer the tougher questions. If you want to get to the meat and potatoes of the Hinckley interview, skip ahead to 5:10. 

According to the Mormon published Gospel Principles (1997 edition) on page 251:

There is seldom any excuse for abortion. The only exceptions are when—

1. Pregnancy has resulted from incest or rape;

2. The life or health of the woman is in jeopardy in the opinion of a competent medical authority; or

3. The fetus is known, by a competent medical authority, to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.

It’s either a human and abortion is murder, or it’s not. Make a decision and stick with it.

This is just another example of Mormonism’s complete inability to remain firm on stances that become unpopular in society. This is yet another example that it’s not holding fast to what’s right that’s most important in Mormonism, but it’s widespread public acceptance that’s most important.

Even Mormonism’s most public figure right now can’t make up his mind on the abortion issue. Watch videos of Mitt Romney’s waffling on the issue by clicking here.

In response to a question by Dan, I’ve decided to post the following comments from Mormons on what they think of the Bible:

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. Joseph Smith, Pearl of Great Price, Page 60

I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors. Joseph Smith, History of the Church , Volume 6, Page 57

The scriptures are a mixture of very strange doctrines to the Christian world, who are blindly led by the blind. Joseph Smith, History of the Church , Volume 6, Page 478

It was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Page 10

This congregation heard brother O. Pratt scan the validity of the Bible, and I thought by the time he got through, that you would scarcely think a Bible worth picking up and carrying home, should you find one in the streets. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 3, Page 116

The Bible is not a sufficient guide; it is only the history of the people who lived 1800 years ago. Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, Page 75

The Bible has been robbed of its plainness; many sacred books having been lost, others rejected by the Romish Church, and what few we have left, were copied and re-copied so many times, that it is admitted that almost every verse has been corrupted and mutilated to that degree that scarcely any two of them read alike. Orson Pratt, The Seer, Page 213

Latter-day Saints and Muslims acknowledge that writings in the Bible, while inspired and truthful, underwent some changes as they passed through the hands of careless scribes and translators and conniving priests. David Stewart, A Message of Friendship: Muslims and Latter-day Saints, Page 4

The Return of Christ in Smith’s Generation

Among the number, my father presented himself, but before I washed his feet, I asked of him a father’s blessing, which he granted by laying his hands upon my head, in the name of Jesus Christ, and declaring that I should continue in the Priest’s office until Christ comes. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 323, January 23, 1833

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written—the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty five years old. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 336, February 14, 1835

President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. . . . Go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 2, Page 182, February 14, 1835

On the 14^th of Feb.1835, Joseph Smith said that God had revealed to him that the coming of Christ would be within 56 years, which added to 1835 shows that before 1891 and the 14^th of Feb. the Savior of the world would make his appearance again upon the earth and the winding up scene take place. Oliver B. Huntington, Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Volume 2, Pages 128-129

The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in the usual manner . . . . After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight and ordained him to the High Priesthood [i.e. ordained him a High Priest ], after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell on upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He said that there were some in the congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven with a shout, with all the holy angels with Him. John Witmer, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 176, June 1831

I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or overcome this boy, for I have a promise from the eternal God. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 554, August 27, 1843 (Joseph Smith was killed less than a year later on June 27, 1844).

I defy all the world to destroy the work of God; and I prophesy they never will have power to kill me till my work is accomplished, and I am ready to die. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 58, October 15, 1843 (Joseph Smith was killed less than a year later on June 27, 1844).

I cannot lie down until all my work is finished. Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, Page 11, 1844

America

And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. . . . Therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 315, January 4, 1833

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, anguish and wrath and tribulation and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from the earth await this generation, until they are visited with utter desolation. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 58, October 15, 1843

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left . . . Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 394, May 18, 1843

Missouri Temple

Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city of New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 84:4-5, September 1832

To be in readiness to move into Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 2, Page 145, August 16, 1834

Miscellaneous

Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in the company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 114:1, April 17, 1838 (David W. Patten died well before “next spring.” He was killed only six months after this prophecy was made. He died on October, 25, 1838 in the Battle of Crooked River).

And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 117:12, July 8, 1838. (Oliver who?)

DefCon will now take this opportunity to be a good Berean and see what the Scriptures say about a prophet who speaks falsely. For it is written:

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. You may say in your heart, “How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?” When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22