CULTS CRITIQUE A 23- p a g e b o o k l e t , entitled, “Why I Believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God,” by William A. Morton, for thirty years a mem ber of the Church of Latter-day Saints, has been forwarded to us for comment. Space does not permit us to discuss all of its wild claims. At least, it serves one purpose: to show conclusively the estimate placed upon the Book of Mormon by its follow ers. To them it is not merely a por tion of the Word of God, but the very Word itself. On page 1, the author states: “ If I did not believe Joseph Smith’s tes timony concerning the Book of Mor mon, I could not believe his testi mony that he had seen God the Fa ther and Jesus Christ, His Son, and had conversed with them in open vision; neither could I believe his testimony that he had been visited by John the Baptist, and had been ordained by him to the Aaronic priesthood; that he had been min istered unto by Peter, James and John and had been ordained by them an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ; that he had seen Moses, and received from him the keys of the gathering of Israel from the nations of the earth, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the north; that he had seen the Prophet Elijah and had obtained from him the keys of ‘turning the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.’ ” On page 6 Mr. Morton states: “ Let us now turn our attention to the other theory — the one held and advocated by the Church, namely, that a heavenly messenger named Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and told the youth about a set of gold plates which were hid in a hill a short distance from his home, on which was engraved a history of the ancient inhabitants of America; that four years later Joseph Smith was permitted to take the plates from their hiding place; that through the gift and power of God he translated them into English and presented to the world the Book of Mormon. “Now it is a well-known fact that the Church has spent thousands of dollars in printing and distributing the Book of Mormon, and that tens of thousands of missionaries have been sent with its message to the nations of the earth. Why has the Church done this? In order to per petuate fraud? Verily, no; but that
by Betty Bruechert
the world might have a new witness for God and His Christ, and be brought to a knowledge of the ever lasting Gospel, the principles and ordinances of which, as I have said, are set forth in great plainness in the Book of Mormon. I have read Joseph Smith’s coming forth of the Book of Mormon many times, and I am thoroughly convinced that he spoke the truth.” Now follows a statement which it is hard to believe could have been written without tongue in check. The author says: “ It is much easier for me to believe Joseph Smith’s account of the origin of the Book of Mormon than it would be for me to believe that the wonderful story, with all its details, was the product of Joseph Smith’s imagination. It is surprising to me that intelligent people can believe that an unlearned and un sophisticated you th like Joseph Smith could make up such a story. No, the story is too big, too great, too wonderful, for the mind of mor tal man to conceive.” Logic has taken flight. The fact is that not only the Mormons, but hun dreds of false systems, have spent millions of dollars propagating their errors around the world; there is always money for evil purposes. And surely of all the wild tales ever con cocted, Joe Smith’s is the wildest! This is not all. The booklet tells of the author’s efforts to convert a skeptical family to Mormonism, to an acceptance of the Book of Mor mon as the Word of God. The verses from the Bible Mr. Morton used to “ prove” this were, unbe l i evab l y , Genesis 49:22-26, where Joseph the son of the patriarch Jacob, suddenly becomes Joseph Smith; Isaiah 29:11- 14, where the “ sealed book” becomes the golden plates and the Book of Mormon; and Ezeki e l 37:15-20, where “ the two sticks” are thus in terpreted : “ Taking up the Bible and the Book of Mormon, I held the two precious records in my hand and said: ‘Behold t h e fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy! Here you see the stick of Judah and also the stick of Joseph, and the two have become one in my hand.” Mormonism is full of soul-destroy ing errors and no wonder: it is based upon a tissue of lies from start to finish. One can only explain its in fluence by the words in John 3:19: “ men loved darkness rather than light.” Let us pray that God will de liver men and women from this cult.
NEW TESTAMENT TIMES. Merrill C. Tenney, Dean of the Graduate School of Wheaton College. This companion volume to the widely read New Testa ment Survey is an invaluable background work, guide and referenceforthe Sunday school teacher, as well as preachers, students and general readers. A clear, well organized, eminently readable re construction of the social, cultural and political frameworks current in Christ’s day. Provides the perspective of his torical setting necessary to correct interpretation of the truths of the New Testament. Profusely Illustrated, in cluding numerous maps, charts, graphs and tables, plus indices of places, names and scriptural references. CLOTH: $5.95 AT YOUR BOOKSELLERS
Send for complete Catalog
WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO. Grand Rapids, Michigan 5-46
THE KING'S BUSINESS
10
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs