Introduction to The Book of Mormon

[Shulamitefire]

Racism & polygamy - neither of which were either revelation or repentance, were but outward conformity to society's demands for standards of decency. Blacks were finally permitted to the priesthood & temple because of pressure from the civil rights movement & notice that LDS failure of compliance would result in tax exempt status being revoked. Re polygamy, Utah was not allowed statehood unless the LDS church agreed to cease its sexual immorality. Only 30 yrs. ago were blacks accepted as equal!

[IRISHBUDDAFILTH]

WELL IF ITS THE FULLNESS OF THE "GOSPEL" THEN WHAT IS THE OTHER"2/3" OF THE GOLD PLATES THAT WASN'T TRANSLATED?

[luettem]

The characteristics and signature a satan are always similar in all deceptions. Murder, suicide, pedophilia, abuse, idolitry, the diminishing of either the Power in the blood of Christ, or the diminishing of Who He is, and deception. Either within what is called the "church", or without. By this simple rule of thumb one can always recognize his work. Islam would be one, recognize anyone else?

[omiolo]

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

[vidarjens]

lets be Christian toward one another, this guy isnt hurting anyone.

[ElderJoseph]

Lamanites ARE NOT the Principal Ancestors of the American Indians.

The Introduction has been ALTERED.

You are reading from an OLD EDITION which NO ONE BELIEVES ANYMORE.

You are going to have to scrap this video and do another one quite soon.

[cholotara]

@ElderJoseph More important is the question why was the introduction altered? Did Joseph Smith mistranslate the plates? How can anyone know since we don't have the plates to study? Or was Joseph Smith just making it all up? It casts more doubt on the already mountainous evidence questioning Joseph Smith's account.

[ElderJoseph]

@cholotara The Introduction was written By Bruce McConkie. He got it wrong like he got loats of things wrong including the teaching that Negroes are the less valiants and hence banned from holding the priesthood.

LDS Apostle Mark E. Peterson taught that Negroes can get to Celestial Kingdom but only as servants! lol

Obviously he was thinking as servants to the Superior White Mormon Gods like himself and surrounded by multiple wives as well for his Glory.

These guys areMegalomaniacs. lol

[cholotara]

@ElderJoseph I'll bet next they will change the parts about lamanites and all their descendants (all indigenous peoples of the America's) being cursed with dark skin by God. They are really keen on growing their membership in Latin America.

Also the part about conversion making lamanites exceedingly white and delightsome will have to go.

[ElderJoseph]

@cholotara lol This guy is reading an introduction that has since been 'altered' and you can bet no one at Salt Lake HQ took any time out to inform him. Because to them he is not important enough to know these things.

Mormonism is all about the less the members know the better and the longer they can be held captive.

And Yes the Book Of Mormon text will have to be 'altered' later too. lol

[ElderJoseph]

The book of mormon IS NOT Gods dealings with the Ancient Inhabitants of the Americas. In Preach My Gospel it states ' Gods dealings with SOME of the ancient inhabitants'.

[maria39208]

I will still take my Holy Bible thank you..

[QUEEFMUFFINS]

wow mormons are messed in the head

[FC275]

BoM is the most correct book? how? it had 1000's of errors in grammar, spelling, continuity & doctrine, thats y the original 1830 edition is so diff than the current 1 & in the future those BoM's will also b diff as the LDS back-tracks that the Lamanites r the "principle ancestors of the American Indians", oops already did that, whats next? that the BoM lands were not continent-wide, but were in Mexico/Guatemala/Belize, oops already did that, thats called Limited Geography Theory, whats next?

[ozzie2005]

I don't see your response on the video but it is not a test. I am asking questions on your beliefs. Since they are yours there can be no wrong answer. I am also not trying to convince you or offend you in any way. Just questions. Thanks

[thrond]

The first time I responded, it didn't post. I then put up a post with the word "test" just to see if there was a problem. It posted fine, so I replaced it and retyped my answer. Sorry for any confusion.

[splitspeeds]

Have you ever wondered why you have not seen ( or will you ever see) a Documentry on the Great Wars & Battles in the Book of Mormon on the

" The History Channel", "Military Channel" Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, History International Channel", "The Learning Channel" .Do you know why?

[FC275]

splitspeeds said:

"Have you ever wondered why you have not seen ( or will you ever see) a Documentry on the Great Wars & Battles in the Book of Mormon on the " The History Channel"..."The Learning Channel" .Do you know why?"

man, now those LDS writers, producers, directors r gona get busy 2 produce fake stuff 2 sell, just like they did 2 sci-fi channel & PBS

what really will get LDS is that there r no real museums w/BoM stuff in them

u can fake movies, film, but real ruins, no

[ozzie2005]

Id like to ask you some questions I can never get answered by Mormons.

Is it true that the Mormon religion excluded blacks until 1978?

Is it true that you believe that people have colored skin because god cursed them?

Why did Oliver Cowdery leave the church?

[thrond]

Fair enough. You asked straight questions; I'll try to give straight answers.

While black members were excluded from certain temple and priesthood blessings from ca. 1850-1978, there have been black members of the Church since its earliest days.

There was a lot of speculation about why the ban existed before it was removed. Since 1978, all those theories have been disavowed. The only official reason I know of is that it wasn't time.

[ozzie2005]

thank you, for your response.

[thrond]

Oliver Cowdery's departure from the Church is a complex historical matter which I don't think I could do full service to in this space, and some of the reasons are in dispute. Basically, though, there were some fundamental disagreements between Joseph Smith and Oliver concerning financial, political, and ecclesiastical matters, and probably polygamy. Ultimately, though, his reasons were his own. He did come back into the Church ten years after he had left.

[FC275]

thrond said:

"Oliver Cowdery's departure from the Church is a complex historical matter which I don't think I could do full service to in this space... Ultimately, though, his reasons were his own. He did come back into the Church ten years after he had left"

did he really see the gold plates or did he "spiritually" see them? JS glass looker, arrested tried & convicted

why did early mormons believe that all north America was home 2 BoM people & now its supposed 2 b in central America? changes

[oceantalk1]

joseph smith was a false prophet.

joseph smith had sex with 14 year old girls.

joseph smith used a peep stone to write the bom

joseph smith was liar.

joseph smith said he did more good than any other man including the bilical Jesus Christ our lord and savior.

joseph smith killed two men.

joseph smith married other men wives.

joseph smith taught that you mormons would become Gods.

[Gabeedmann]

Show me the gold plates! I dare you!

[omiolo]

"he record is now published in many languages as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God "

Please EVERYONE come to Jesus Christ, Savior of the World!!

[josh2122]

Mormans are dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb! Get your eye looked at.

[vcomp1960]

I tried reading it. It was almost impossible. I couldn't get past 150 pages. It was just terrible writing. I'd rather go to hell than try and read that crappy book agian!

[omiolo]

"I'd rather go to hell"

ask and it shall be given unto you!

[vcomp1960]

I guess you confirmed that with God! You tell him hey for me next time you talk to him.

[hawkeye9090]

The Jesus of the Morman church is not the Jesus of the Bible.the bible states Jesus was born of a Virgin. Mormans teach he was the bastard son of a god.Mormans teach that The blood of Christ is not enough to save you.Smith stated the book of Morman was perfect.The church has amended it over 4000 times since he stated this.where are the ruins of the cities MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF MORMAN?The serpent said to Eve"Ye shall become as Gods."Mormanism teaches true believers will become as Gods.

[skalapunk]

Sir, if anytime a new religion popped up along with a new book that claims to be from God, will you believe it?

I for one, will not.

The Bible forbids it.

[lynette1953]

whats with ur fucking eyes you weird bastard ....lolololol

[FMPastorTodd]

The BOM has had over 4000 changes to it, some of them were punctuality yes but of them over 1500 were changes to it's message. The Bible has no changes made to its message, please explain this.

[omiolo]

"The Bible has no changes made to its message, please explain this"

so there is NO difference between the KJV Bible and the NIV Bible?

I think someone has pulled the wool over your eyes!

[FMPastorTodd]

I am sorry, you feel this way. However you should know that I have family that are very high up in the LDS leadership in Salt Lake and I can assure you it is you that have been deceived. Also your is a pantheistic religion not a monotheistic.

[omiolo]

"However you should know that I have family that are very high up in the LDS leadership in Salt Lake "

are they ward activities leaders? Primary Presidents?

I want you to know I live in EVANGELICAL country and it is CLEARLY you that have been deceived. Pastor rape is wide spread among the EVANGELICALS but of course it is the 15 yr old that seduced the Pastor. Or as the congregation calls them. THOSE JEZEBELS.

BTW, I have arrest records etc if you would like them?

[FMPastorTodd]

One is a in the "priesthood" close to becoming one of the Quorum of the 70 before he died. I have not been deceived I know the Bible that is all I need to know, if they have done evil then they never knew God. And I suspect you don't either. Elohim, was not born He always was, is, and is to come. Jesus and Lucifer are not brothers, Jesus is GOD almighty, Only GOD could die for our sins, not a created being. There is no proof whatsoever that the "nations" mentioned int he BOM ever existed.

[omiolo]

"One is a in the "priesthood" close to becoming one of the Quorum of the 70 before he died."

that makes ABSOLUTELY NO sense! Now only your DISTORTIONS make sense to YOU!

"Jesus and Lucifer are not brothers"

we are agreed, please find the opposite of that in our Holy Scriptures!

"Jesus is GOD almighty, Only GOD could die for our sins"

While Mormons believe that. it is EVANGELICALS that believe that Jesus Christ is still a man! That is wrong!

[FMPastorTodd]

He was fully human and fully divine.

[omiolo]

"He was fully human and fully divine. "

I guess that is another difference between our religions. The Mormon Christ who is Jesus is the Great I AM. Not the great he was!

[FMPastorTodd]

He was because he does not take human form at this time, duh. I mean really, you skirt the issues with the best of them and beleive me I have witnessed and confronted many mormans with the truth. The fact is you love your religon and not Jesus. You have the spear on your church the one that to the romans proved he was dead. I have the cross on mine with out him on it that shows he is ALIVE. I dare you to actually seek the truth and not what you are spoonfed, but I doubt you will.

[omiolo]

"The fact is you love your religon and not Jesus. "

thanks for that damnable LIE!!

"You have the spear on your church the one that to the romans proved he was dead"

we have a roof on our church!! Spear..now you are seeing things!!

[FMPastorTodd]

There are no changes to it, The dead sea scrolls confirm this. Where did the BOM come from, straight from Joe himself and Satan who decieved him.

[omiolo]

"There are no changes to it, The dead sea scrolls confirm this."

either you are deceieved and need to find out for yourself or you are lying!

I am NOT one of your parishoners that is easily brainwashed!

[omiolo]

"There are no changes to it, The dead sea scrolls confirm this."

please read Isaiah 33:8 in the dead sea scrolls and Isaiah 33:8 in KJV Bible!

[FMPastorTodd]

Please tell me where the plant Koleb is? Or where is the evidence that this vast civilization of the Jaredites and Lamanites ever existed in the Americas'? What about the DNA evidence that shows the native people the Americas' descend from the pacific rim people and not of Jewish decent? And baptism for the dead? Where is that in the BIBLE in the context you use it? You have still not answered about Jesus is THE ONLY GOD is the brother of SATAN who is not a god, where is that found in The Bible?

[omiolo]

"Please tell me where the plant Koleb is?"

you will have to ask Father Abraham that! That is his word!

"Or where is the evidence that this vast civilization of the Jaredites and Lamanites ever existed in the Americas'?"

many say they were the Olmecs and the Mayans

"What about the DNA evidence that shows the native people the Americas' descend from the pacific rim people and not of Jewish decent?"

are you talking about the studies form Emory university?

[omiolo]

"You have still not answered about Jesus is THE ONLY GOD is the brother of SATAN who is not a god, where is that found in The Bible? "

once again please don't pretend like it is our doctrine, it is NOT in our Holy Scriptures!

[FMPastorTodd]

It is in your scriptures, I suggest you read them again or go ask a bishop. Here is an easy one was Elohim Created or not? Was not Jesus born to Elohim and a mother god. Did not one of your prophets say "as god is we will become as we are god once was"? So against The only word of God THE BIBLE.

[omiolo]

"was Elohim Created or not?"

the answer is in our Holy Scriptures can you find it?

"Was not Jesus born to Elohim and a mother god"

Our Holy Scriptures are silent on that! His Spirit was NOT created.

"Did not one of your prophets say "as god is we will become as we are god once was"?"

Please find that in our Holy Scriptures!!

[FMPastorTodd]

But you must follow your prophets right? If you don't you wont get to the 1st level of the celestial heaven right? Then you can't bring your wife or wives, or if you are a female then your husband won't deem you needed in that heaven. What a perfect MAN made heaven and false religion. Repent and trust in the Jesus of The Bible.

[omiolo]

"But you must follow your prophets right?"

NO, we follow Jesus Christ through our Prophets! Sorry they didn't spell that out for you on the internet

"If you don't you wont get to the 1st level of the celestial heaven right?"

you clearly do NOT understand this doctrine. I am sure that won't stop you from DISTORTING it!

". What a perfect MAN made heaven and false religion"

I think you have the Mormons mixed up with EVANGELISM! or as the media calls them The PREACHERS of HATE!

[proline08]

There should be archeological evidences for your claims. For which there is none.

Do I believe we are in the prepatory time for the second coming? Yes. But before He comes many will come in His name and will decieve many. Don't be one of those.

[spsonasty]

u guyz are like the fuckin stepford wives..brainwashed by that false prophet joseph smith

[jaden65532]

I read some things up on mormons and I think there a bunch of nut heads!!!

[uSoBayArea]

update your video. the lamanites are now AMONG not primary ancestors of the american indians.

[thrond]

Good point. I'm not too worried about changing it though; mentioning it here in the comments is probably sufficient.

[uSoBayArea]

Point made and taken......

[lynette1953]

bullshit that comment means ur just donig it to gain some exceptance within ur faith .if you .. believed it would matter to you sooooooo much more if we all werent saved

[thrond]

I'm not worried about it because the Introduction was written about 1981, and is meant to be a helpful introduction to the text of the Book of Mormon.  "Among the ancestors" may be more correct than "the principal ancestors," but it does not exclude the possibility of the latter. Additionally, since the statement was never meant to be necessarily taken as a pronouncement of divine revelation, my priority is to continue with the project rather than to correct a single word here.

[vcomp1960]

The fact that just punctuation change was needed or that just one word was changed means that it is not the most perfect book in the world. You just don't change perfect, dummy!

[brainouty]

Question to Mr. thrond: does Mormonism teach that you are FOREVER saved if you ONCE believe that Jesus the Christ paid for all your sins, as per John 3:16 in the Bible? Remember, Christ Himself said that verse. Thank you.

[rafussen]

depends on what your definition of "believe" is.

[brainouty]

Um, believe means believe. There's one definition of that verb. If you believe "a", you believe it's true. Oh, I see why you asked: some distort simple English into a lot of other meanings. I don't. Thanks, rafussen.

[rafussen]

So given your definition, one can believe in Jesus and then kill people, all while being saved? Or you can believe in Jesus, and then not do anything he taught--because I know there are lots of people out there who believe in Jesus and accept what he did, yet that don't do anything about, yet according to you, they are saved. Do you know Muslims believe in Jesus. A true belief implies action, that is what faith is.

[brainouty]

"Action" was PAYMENT FOR SINS by Christ on Cross. Nothing else satisfies Infinite, Holy God. Isaiah 53:10 explains this in Hebrew: all FUTURE sins were paid for, "im tasim asham naphesho". Believe once, saved forever, John 3:16 & Acts 16:31 (Greek). Good night, beloved rafussen :)

[rafussen]

So then in your eyes and according to your beliefs, I am saved. So what is your big problem with me or others like me? You should be happy that we "believe," just like you. And what about Muslims believing in Jesus, are they saved too, even the suicide bombers?

[brainouty]

No problem, rafussen. I'm grateful you are saved. Anyone who doesn't ever once believe in Christ paying for his sins, is not saved. I can't find Bible saying those in hell being forced to stay there (i.e., compare 2 Pet3:9 and Luke 16:20ff how the guy STILL doesn't WANT to believe). See you in heaven!

[rafussen]

but then what about when Jesus said that "he that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved" (mark 16:16)--how does that play into all this?

[rafussen]

also, there are several definitions of "believe." so you are wrong again.

[2praise]

No archiological evidence.Nice story.Inians are no decendance of Israel.Ha ha!You believe you are going to be a God and reigh over another planet? No you won´t.Take your book of Mormon and keep it.

[rafussen]

there is no archeological evidence for god either.

[2praise]

There is lots of archeological evidence of the Israelite nation but non of the Niphites and Lamenites.The Bibe does not teach that God was a man and it does not teach that we can become Gods.

[rafussen]

Yeah, but there still is no archeological evidence for God. so according to your reasoning, God doesn't exist, right?

On the other hand, if you believe God exists despite lack of archeological evidence, then why did you even bring up archeological evidence in your argument? Plus, there is much archeological evidence for ancient peoples that live in the Americas. Also, the Book of Mormon doesn't teach taht God was a man or that we can become Gods either.

[PreMissionKid]

Yeah dude...tell them what it is exactly. thanks for the video man, good stuff. so where did you serve your mission at?

[thrond]

Thank you--I served in Bolivia from 1995-1997.

[uziyahuidf]

Just got home from your mission, did you?

[thrond]

I returned home on 5 February 1997.