Can anyone point me to reputable scholarly articles about Joseph Smith the found of the Mormon church?

Question

I've been a Mormon my entire life but have never been as active or devoted as I'm sure I should have been. Lately, I've been seriously questioning my religion and have decided once and for all that I either need to be serious about Mormonism and practice it or get out. It's almost impossible to dig through all of the info on the internet, but I have read some rather disturbing things about Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon church. Anyone can put anything they want on the internet, but I would like to read actual peer-reviewed scholarly articles about Joseph Smith. I would prefer that the writers of these articles not be Mormon because I believe Mormon authors won't present an unbiased view. I hope to get some serious answers and not just someone's crazy ravings. Crazy ravings are fine but they won't help me much in this case.

Answer 1

Honestly, the biggest problem in Mormonism that you should read into is the difference between the Mormon's Christ and the true Jesus Christ of the Bible.

Differences:
Mormon Jesus: spirit brother of you, me & Satan. Only opened a door for us to be saved--but you have to walk through it. After we do everything in our power (and do good works), that's when Jesus' grace kicks in.

Real Jesus: Part of the trinity-- Jesus created the world and is God himself. (John 1:1). We are saved only by our faith in Jesus--we can't do ANYTHING in our power to save ourselves. (Yet, our faith in Jesus Christ causes us to follow him--and uphold the law.) Jesus makes us perfect through His grace. (Romans 3:20-31, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-9)

Mormons say that the BOM is another testament of Christ--but they don't even believe with the Core purpose of the Bible/New Testament--

The best articles that you should be reading are from the church itself. For the following articles, please go to the following website and look it up yourself--if it helps you believe it: http://journalofdiscourses.org/ (Journal of Discourses is a huge collection of talks/speaches by all/most LDS prophets.)

Here's a few things Most Mormons don't know about LDS church doctrine:

1. Adam is God. B. Young teaches that Adam is "our father & our God" & "the only God with whom we have to do." Journal of Discourses vol 1, pg 50. (FYI: Mormon 9:12 says God created Adam--why the conflict?)

2. "Now remember from this time forth, & forever, that jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." Jornal of Discourses vol 1, pg 50. (I think B. Young said this.)

"Christ was begotten by an immortal father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers." (Mormon Doctrine, pg 547.)

3. Christ was crucified because He practiced polygamy.

Journal of Discourses: vol 1, pg 346: Christ's crucifixion based upon polygamy and persecuted because of it.

J/d: vol 2, pg 210: "Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, martha, and others were his wives and begat children."
(FYI: John 2:1-2: says Jesus was "invited" to the wedding. Why would he be invited to his own wedding?)

#4: Some sins are serious enough that you have to give your own life to atone for them.

"Under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins." - Mormon doctrine 92-93

Also see: Doctrines of Salvation vol 1, pg 135
Journal of Discourses: vol 3, pg 247

(FYI: 1st John 1:7-9: says Jesus's blood purifies us from all sin.)

#5. God & Jesus didn't appear to Joseph, they sent angels:

See: Journal of Discourses: vol 2, pg 171 "the Lord sent his messengers to Joseph Smith" --B. Young.
j/d vol 20, p 167 "Joseph Smith asked the angel which of the sects was right." (john taylor)
vol 6, pg 335-- Angels, not Jesus came to Joseph Smith

#6: Marrying an African "under the law of God is death on the spot. This will always be so." Journal of discourses: vol 10, pg 110.
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Also, is Jesus God? If Mormons say no, then they conflict the Bible. (John 1:1: "And the word was God.") If they say yes, then they believe in more than one God--which conflicts the Bible: Isaiah 43:10: "before me there was no God formed; neither shall there be after me." Isaiah 44:6: "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."
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Mormons have an excuse and an explanation for everything. If you end up going back to the church, it'll be because you got lost in these explanations. The above are just a few of the lost things that Mormon Prophets taught--and the church has since covered over. As you dig deeper, you'll realize that the church has covered a ton of stuff.

Jesus Christ is so much more powerful and amazing than Mormons allow Him to be. They put God in a box. The best place for you to start is reading the New Testament-- Read who Jesus Christ is--read what his message really says-- I strongly suggest using NIV instead of the very confusing King James version.

Here's an excellent Christian website on Mormonism:
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm

E-mail me if you need to talk or get confused-- It's hard to get through the lies of Mormonism.

I struggled for months when I took the church up on its challenge-- After praying and studying God finally answered my prayers in a very moving way. Give God a chance to work in your life and show you the truth--

I am convinced that Mormonism is Satan's way of keeping people from TRULY knowing who Jesus is and His purpose.

Answer 2

I'll bet I have read just as many supposedly "disturbing" things about everything you mention, but the more I study true Mormon scholars' writings, the more they are verified by archaeology and fact. I will list a few of them just to get you started: Hugh Nibley, W. Cleon Skousen, Truman Madsen, Neal A. Maxwell, Gilbert Scharffs. If you want to tackle a bigger range of materials over the past 170 years, you might also want to check out a local Institute of religion near you on a university campus somewhere. The teachers there often have personal libraries in addition to Institute libraries, and you would be surprised to see how many books of all kinds the teachers have read. Have a little faith that Mormons who study in-depth will be telling the truth. If you can, come at it from a Jewish point of view as well. The more I study Judaism, the more I see awesome patterns in the Book of Mormon.

Answer 3

I know he's a prophet because of the Book of Mormon. NO man could have written that book without the help from God. Joseph never made any false prophecies. He did ask God to tell him the time of the Second coming, but God's cryptic answer was something along the lines of, if Joseph lived to be 85, he would see the face of God, or something. Joseph didn't know what it meant, but he figured that it probably would NOT happen BEFORE that time. Besides, it said IF he lived to be 85, and he did not live to 45. So, it was a conditional prophecy to begin with. I'm not sure of your reference to the blood red moon, but did it give a specific time, or just some vague time line? Because just because it did not happen yet does not mean it won't.

Answer 4

Here is what the bbc research and informational series Religion & Ethics said about Mormonism http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/index.shtml

It is difficult to find any really good books or articles on the topic as the LDS are such a new, small, and closed insulated religion that not much time or energy has been spent studying their theology outside of their own circle. I live in an area that is about 75% Mormon (a greater per capitia of LDS then Salt Lake City). From having previously studied other religious studies I find many inconsistency with in the LDS religion and many inconsistentcies with Christianity. The World Council of Churches as not produced anything on them as they are not defined as Christians and have not signed of on the agreed Christian doctrines. So you are left with only writings from those that are Mormon or those who are rabid anti Mormon.

There are a few good books comparing Mormon theology to other Christian Theology like Tale of Two Cities: Rome and Salt Lake, which might serve to enlighten you more on Mormon theology.

Good Luck

Answer 5

I just read a book called "Under the Banner of God". It was a retelling of a murder committed by FLDS, but there is a lot of info about the origins of the faith, and quite a bit aqbout the life of Joseph Smith, and the succeeding presidents of the church. Of course, the LDS church dismisses the book as fictionalized. There is a list of sources in the back that might be of help to you. I got the book at my library.

I know several people who are faithful LDS, and others that have left the church for other faiths. They all have faith in Jesus and have chosen what they feel is the best way to be a Christian.

For the record, I believe there can be beauty in all faiths, and most of them have dark parts of their pasts. There are denominations that supported slavery, and others supported the abuse of women and children. A religion that is alive is also evolving and overcoming it's past wrongs.

Answer 6

Here are some sites to go to check out more about the LDS Religion and also some of its history including some archaeological findings.
www.ancientamerica.org, www.fairlds.org,
farms.byu.edu,
www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2671/EC.html#Ref,
www.josephsmith.net/portal/site/JosephSmith

One thing I can tell you is to read James 1:5-6.


I can also say that those that tell about the bad things that Joseph did need to re-read their history and to read it completely not just part of it. Most that I have read, I have also checked out are old stories that they want to keep repeating even though they have already been shown that they didn't know what they were talking about.
I am the same as you but I have done some Scripture reading and for my limited knowledge of them have been able to understand that most other Religions say they believe in the Bible, but yet when I ask about some of the scripture they don't believe it. So , my question to them is, "How can you tell me that your religion or church teaches ALL THE BIBLE, but don't believe in those parts. One reason they have never been able to change my mind is because they DON'T actually BELIEVE in the Bible.

Answer 7

Why would you really want "man's" opinion - and they are all opinions - on a subject SOOO important???
I suggest you kneel down, ask your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, if Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I promise you if you are sincere, you will receive an answer.
If you really want to read about him, go directly to the source. Would you trust the Nazi's to learn about Jews? Would you have a plumber lay your carpet? Would you have a child build you a home? Don't trust under-educated or slandering information.
Try Josephsmith.net
mormon.org
LDS.org

Pray. Really. The only way you will get 100% correct and unbiased answers is to ask your Heavenly Father.
Good luck.

Answer 8

If you are truly seeking the truth, you need to look to its source God's word the Bible. The Bible itself can answer all of your questions if you are sincere about seeking for the truth.

(Psalms 19:7) The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.

(Ecclesiates 3:14)  I have come to know that everything that the [true] God makes, it will prove to be to time indefinite. To it there is nothing to add and from it there is nothing to subtract; but the [true] God himself has made it, that people may be afraid on account of him.

(Revelation 22:17-19) And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.  “I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll;  and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.

Everything you need to know about God is in the Bible. God is God of order not of confusion. God can not lie and He is always the same one. To time indefinite He will not change his words. Be aware of those that disregard the teachings from the bible and says Jesus is Jehovah.

Facts, Jehovah is God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob known to Israelites as God Almighty. (Exodus 6:1-3) Jesus is Jehovah's begotten son. They are not equal in power.

The Book of Mormon teaches that Jehovah is Christ Jesus. Many of the Mormon teachings contradict the Bible.

Answer 9

AMEN!! Yes, the second coming will not go un noticed by one soul, it could not have been Joseph SMith.

He will return riding a white horse, His name is Faithful and true, He will rule and reign from the temple mount in Jerusalem after He walks across the Keydran Valley and through the Eastern gate.

Smith did none of this. I am sure you will find the documents you are looking for. But the Bible is all u need!

I'd suggest the Bible! Bless you precious, welcome to fredom through Jesus Christ! Email me anytime!


David

Answer 10

I think that only a lds who has backed away and renounced the church, could post a question like this. Look in to arguements against lds, and research the proofs they post.