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Criticism of Mormonism/Video/The Bible vs Joseph Smith: Difference between revisions
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*Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of the Jerusalem temple
*Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of the Jerusalem temple


=='''Conclusion: Joseph Smith as a false prophet'''==
=='''Conclusion: Joseph Smith fails the test'''==
*Does the evidence so far suggest that Joseph is a false prophet?
*Does the evidence so far suggest that Joseph is a false prophet?
*Putting a false prophet to "death"
*Putting a false prophet to "death"

Revision as of 18:13, 7 March 2011

This page is based on an answer to a question submitted to the FAIR web site, or a frequently asked question.


Overview

(NOTE: This review is incomplete and is still being worked on. If you would like to help please let us know through our "Ask the Apologist" service!)

In 2010 Sourceflix & Living Hope Ministries (LHM) produced a DVD entitled "The Bible vs Joseph Smith". This film compares and contrasts the prophecies found in the Bible with the prophecies found in the Book of Mormon. The format of the film is a dialogue between Joel Kramer of LHM and Greg Gifford, a Latter-day Saint. The film is shot entirely in Israel, and various scholars are interviewed for their opinions. Overall the filming is well done and leaves the sense of a solid case against Joseph Smith, when in reality the arguments are very poor and easily debunked.

How to test a prophet

The film opens with a short conversation about the biblical test for determining whether a prophet is a true prophet or a false prophet as found in Deuteronomy 18꞉20-22:

20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him .

Commenting on this passage, Kramer says,

"A prophet is someone who claims God is speaking through them. So how can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord? The answer is the test of a prophet. Here’s how it works. Since only God knows the future people can test a prophet by how accurately he predicts the future. If even one of his predictions does not take place or come true that prophet fails the test. And if a prophet fails than God commands the people to put him to death and to not be afraid of him."

A few important points should be made about this:

  1. prophecy may be fulfilled in ways or at times that the hearers do not expect;
  2. most prophecies are contingent, even if this is not made explicit when the prophecy is given—that is, the free agent choices of mortals can impact whether a given prophecy comes to pass
  3. sectarian critics may apply a standard to modern LDS prophets whom they reject that they do not apply to biblical prophets. This double standard condemns Joseph unfairly.


The following articles discuss this issue further:

Bible vs The Book of Mormon: "plain and precious parts"

  • Nephi's prophecy that many "plain and precious" things would be taken from the scriptures
  • No ancient manuscript evidence for the Book of Mormon
  • Transmission and reliability of Biblical texts
    • Were "plain and precious" things removed from the Old Testament after Christ?
    • Were "plain and precious" things removed from the New Testament after Christ?
  • Did Nephi utter a false prophecy?

Relevant articles: John Gee: The Corruption of Scripture in Early Christianity (http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=42&chapid=206)

Bible vs Book of Mormon: Prophecies of Christ

  • Micah vs Alma/Christ's birthplace at Bethlehem or Jerusalem
  • Isaiah 16:5 prophecy of Christ
  • Psalm 22:16 prophecy of Christ
  • Daniel 9:26 prophecy of Christ
  • Psalm 16:10 prophecy of Christ
    • Evidence for Christ's resurrection
  • No evidence for Book of Mormon prophets/prophecies

Bible vs The Joseph Smith Translation (JST)

Bible vs Doctrine & Covenants: Temple Prophecies

Conclusion: Joseph Smith fails the test

  • Does the evidence so far suggest that Joseph is a false prophet?
  • Putting a false prophet to "death"
    • Kramer's ridiculous interpretation of Deut 18:20

Scholars/Individuals appearing in the film

  • Joel Kramer
  • Greg Gifford
  • Dr. Christophe Rico
  • Dr. Randall Price
  • Dr. Gabriel Barkay
  • Dr. William L. Craig
  • Todd Bolen
  • Dr. Shimon Gibson
  • Paul Trask
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Answer

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== Notes ==


Further reading

FairMormon Answers articles

Analysis of videos and films critical of Mormonism


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FairMormon web site

External links

Printed material

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