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Prophet shared stories carefully

"Presbytariansim | 9:27 a.m. July 2, 2009

is not true" Joseph Smith. Johatahn Edwards, probaly the greatest American philosopher and theologian,third president of Princeton and leader of the the "Great Awakening". The Presbytarian in his book "Freedom of the will" (1754) denies that man is free to choose God.This viewpoint fits with John Calvin's doctrines of election and predestination. Also influenced by Martin Luther's "Bondage of the will"or to affirm free will(free agency)is to compromisse Grace",Martin Luther. You can see why Joseph thought it was wrong.

hbeckett | 9:45 a.m. July 2, 2009

thank you for the fine report

A Man's Perspective | 3:52 p.m. July 2, 2009

I love historical articles, especially about Joseph Smith.

Keep them coming - especially the details that most members of the Church don't know and especially those that contradict normal lines of thinking, such as in this case where the average member of the Church would just assume that Joseph would immediately tell his parents of his experiences, which appears to not be true.

Comments continue below

M Paul | 4:10 p.m. July 2, 2009

Here is what I think is lost in this story that is fascinating. The Angel Moroni actually commands Joseph Smith Jr to go and discuss and counsel with his father what he had seen and heard from him through the night. The messenger is actually instructing him to counsel with his father. Its also interesting to note that it was Joseph Smith Sr (not the angelic messenger) who actually assured him it was "of God" and then directed Joseph to "go and do" as the angel directed. Joseph then acted by his fathers instruction. This important aspect is lost in the broader story. Can a messenger subjugate the role between father and son? In this case, I dont believe so. Also, Joseph must have needed the counsel, assurance and diretion from his father to act further revealing how Joseph relied on his fathers counsel.

Anonymous | 5:50 p.m. July 2, 2009

Of course, when you are making up stories, you are not going to run around telling them willy nilly! You are going to be very careful with whom you share them, because you want to pick only the most gullible people first.

Flecher | 6:14 p.m. July 2, 2009

Moroni is a city on Comoro
Sound familiar?

Sally | 6:22 p.m. July 2, 2009

Why is this written as if it really happened. We all know this story and the other mormon fables are as real as Shrek and Sleeping Beauty.

THE ZELPH | 7:22 p.m. July 2, 2009

Um, I like the story of the ZELPH. Pretty cool stuff and total funny business.

Southern convert | 7:42 p.m. July 2, 2009

it's nice to see daily that those who oppose Mormon Doctrine are taking their time to read it and consider it. Like me if you continue to read it you will eventually realize the truthfulness and importance of it. Thanks for the comments and keep reading our papers.

Funny | 11:57 p.m. July 2, 2009

how you naysayers, mockers and critics find the silliest things to put down. You all seem to forget that Joseph Smith was 14 and had a 3rd grade education in a time when any education was unimaginabley minimal. He had no experience with anything close to world history or philosophies or sophisticated literature. His life was total simplicity, and yet, a few short years later, he (with some divine help) put together a sacred, historical book that has stood the tests of criticism and fault finding, without contradiction and has not been altered or changed or excused by himself or anyone else in over 175 years. If you don't see at least that, you are truly blind. Not us.

Learning disbelief | 11:42 a.m. July 3, 2009

Joseph Smith had a very vivid imagination and was extremely intelligent despite his level of education. He was very knowledgable of the bible and was interested in history in general, so despite his 3rd grade educatin he was very informed in many areas. His mother talked often of his ability to regal the family with fantastical stories of early civilizations complete with descriptions of appearances, modes of transport, foods and so on. All of this long before all of this business of visions and angelic visitors.

Hmmm,.... | 8:59 p.m. July 3, 2009

I'll bet you got most of your information from some very knowledgeable anti-mormon "source". So, all of this stuff supposedly happened before his 14th year, huh.? Sorry pal... an early interest in history, or anything else cannot be satisfied to any great extent in the 18-teens or 1820s when books in the outback hills of nowhere were not only rare but extremely expensive.. No one, not even someone who is very well educated could have whipped the Book of Mormon out of nowhere (Or vivid imagination) in 3 months, without any rewriting or editing of any kind and then convinced millions of people that it was not only a great historical document but that it actually came from God, and they should all put our lives on the line to defend it. Even without the personal, spiritual witness of its divinity, it is an incredible miracle.

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