[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]
Part 2:
MORMONISM:
THE WORD & WISDOM OF MAN
-TESTING LDS PROPHETS & THEIR PROPHECIES-
Continued from Part 1....
C. Prophets And Prophecy - Amos
3:7. (cf. 1 Jno. 4:1)
1. "Without a living prophet, the scripture is
indeed what the medieval church called it: a mystery" (The World And The Prophets,
Hugh Nibley, 188)
2. Chart 29 - "14
Fundamentals In Following The Prophets" --
a. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in
everything.
b. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard
works.
- (cf. God's prophets do not contradict scripture!)
c. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead
prophet.
-(cf. Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:12-16)
d. The prophet will never lead the Church astray. (cf. Gal.
2:11-13)
e. The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the
Lord" to give us scripture (D&C 21:4).
{Who is correct? Joseph Smith, Jr. said: "A
prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such." (History of the Church,
V:265)}
3. Traits of God's prophets:
a. They spoke in the name of the Lord what God said
- without error - 2 Pet. 1:21 (cf. Balaam - Num. 23:5, 12; Samuel - 1 Sam. 3:19; 9:6).
b. True prophets - 100 % accuracy - Amazing reliability!
c. They spoke regardless of the people - Ezek. 3:10-11; 2:5.
4. Testing The Prophets:
-(Some LDS have told me there is no accurate way to "test
a prophet" except by a personal revelation received from the Holy Spirit (Moroni
10:4-5).
-The Bible denies this! - Rev. 2:2 (Chart
30)
a. The doctrine test - Deut. 13:1-5 - What
God does he preach? What standard of authority does he promote?
(1) 1 Jno. 4:1-6: What Christ does he confess? (v.
2-3) What standard of authority does he respect? (v. 6)
(2) Joseph Smith, Jr.:
(a) God: Once a man w/ a body of flesh & bones (History
of the Church, V:613; D&C 130:22).
(b) Christ: Spirit child of God the Father, brother
of Lucifer (Satan), is not eternally God.
(c) Many more.....LDS prophet fails the test of
doctrine! (Gal. 1:8-9).
b. The accuracy test - Deut. 18:20-22.
(1) Does it come to pass? (Jer. 28:7-9)
(2) If not: Not from God / Spoke presumptuously /
Don't be afraid of him.
(3) Joseph Smith, Jr.:
(a) Temple Lot Prophecy - D&C 84:1-5.
("this generation" - 1832). Leaders applied it this way for the next 50 years.
When it failed, they redefined "generation" to explain it away!
(b) Civil War Prophecy - D&C 87 (1832).
-One correct prediction among many failures does not a true
prophet make!
(i) Many predicting war at this time.
(ii) Portions left unfulfilled: Global war (v.2-3); Great
Britain would enter war (v. 3); Full end of nations w/ wrath (v. 6).
(c) The Lord's Coming in 1891 (History of
the Church, II:182).
-1835 + 56 yrs. = 1891. -"...the coming of the Lord,
which was nigh - even fifty-six years should wind up the scene."
* Joseph Smith, Jr. fails the test of accuracy!
Not from God, spoke presumptuously, do not fear him!
c. The character (fruit) test - Matt.
7:15-20.
(1) Fruit borne of true prophecy is good, pure and righteous.
(2) Joseph Smith, Jr.:
(a) Polygamy (see: Joseph Smith's Character as a prophet).
(b) Fruit produced was adultery, fraud, deception
& hypocrisy!
(3) Joseph Smith, Jr. fails the character/fruit test!
5. "No Mormon truly believes the Bible, and a true Bible believer cannot be a Mormon!"