Mormonism - I Introduction Mormon Syllabus Lsn One Lsn Two Lsn Three Lsn Four Lsn Five Lsn Six Lsn Eight
[Number your answer sheet from 1-32]
If sources other than the supplied links are used, please identify the sources for your information.
1. Describe the first vision of Joseph Smith from this link which discusses a number of visions. You may want to type in Joseph Smith's first vision in your browser to get a good picture of the claims. Joseph Smith's First Vision
2. Three years later there was a second vision Joseph Smith's Second Vision. Outline the claims of this second vision.
3. Who did Joseph Smith claim appeared to him in this second vision? You may use other sources.
3. What is the commentary of the Bible regarding claims of this nature? (Galatians 1: 8, 9)
4. What then, in view of Galatians 1:8, 9 is the standing of this supposed messenger from God?
5. What were the plates supposed to contain? Contents of the Golden Plates
6. Using the same link, what criticisms are offered concerning these plates?
7. Using your link to the Book of Mormon, how does their claim for the inspiration of the Book of Mormon compare with the writings of 1 Nephi 1:2, 3 and 1 Nephi 19:6? Explain which points caused you to come to your conclusion.
8. Follow the same procedure after reading Jacob 7:26.
9. Follow the same procedure after reading Mormon 9:31-33.
"The prophet, scanning through the Urim and Thummim, the golden pages, would see appear, in lieu of the strange characters thereon, their equivalent in English words. These he would repeat and the scribe, separated from him by a veil or curtain, would write them down . . . Until the writing was correct in every particular, the words last given would remain before the eyes of the translator, and would not disappear. But on the necessary correction being made, they would immediately pass away and be succeeded by others." (History of the Church by Brigham H. Roberts, p.28)
"I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put is face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was the principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by the power of any man." (Address to Believers, David Whitmer, p.12. Whitmer was one of the three original witnesses of the \Book of Mormon.)
10. After reading the above two paragraphs, would it be possible for there to be so much as a spelling mistake in the entire Book of Mormon? Your comments?
11. Using this link to The Doctrine and Covenants 22:1-3, when was the Old Covenant done away? http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/22
12. According to (Col.2:14) when was the Old Covenant taken our of the way?
13. According to (Heb. 10:9-18; 9:15-17), why was the Old Covenant taken out of the way?