Just because the man dreams something, suddenly he has 10 million followers (not sure the #) . There is no evidence that Jesus was in South America. - nothing. - nada. When it comes to religion, people are ready to believe anything - no matter how rediculous it might be. I do mean ANYTHING. What about Jim Jones, David Koresh, Calvin, Taggert, gay priests..... What makes all of you follow these quacks.
2007-09-07 18:11:37 · 12 answers · asked by 1st Liberal 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it is Joseph Smith and you are incorrect on many other things. Just about every Native American tribe has some sort of tradition about a bearded white God who promised to return. The Book of Mormon mentions cement, metals, barley, great towers (pyramids), and other things that have all been found in the Americas. There have been stone carvinges found of the 10 commandments in ancient Hebrew language. The Book of Mormon tells of an advanced civilization who knew astronomy... and it turns out the Mayan calendar is the most accurate calendar until the computer age.
I don't follow Smith. The Book of Mormon is far more spiritually advanced than anything Smith could have conjured up. In many ways Smith disobeyed various Book of Mormon teachings.
Yes, the Restoration did make a cult icon out of Smith, this led to his falling into pride and disobedience to God.
Today there are some 100 different churches that believe in the Book of Mormon (and Bible). Most are very similar to conservative Bible only churches. The LDS Mormons have many doctrines that are never mentioned in the Book of Mormon and in many ways go directly against the Book of Mormon. Polygamy is especially condemned in the Book of Mormon which terms the practice a whoredom and abomination before God. Apostates do not follow their own books.
2007-09-07 18:29:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
sure i believe in john smith- he's the one who married pochahontas! JOESPH smith is the one you are talking about- and you know, you are entilted to your belief, and i am entilted to mine. I don't need physical evidence to believe in something- that's what faith is. Believing in something that is not seen. Besides my faith is based on the huge change the gospel has made in life, and the better person that i am for it, and peace and comfort that i feel because of it. I don't need a scientist to prove that it all happened- that would defeat the purpose of faith. Billions of people believe in a God and a heaven that they cannot see, or have no physical evidence that they exsist. Does that mean that they don't? Or that they don't have a right to believe in it? There is evidence that there were dinosaurs that roamed the earth, but there is no mention in the bible- but still billions of people believe the bible teachings- are they wrong? Jesus taught that we must have FAITH to return to Him. Not proof beyond a resonable doubt. An furthermore i would like to point out- what does it matter what others believe? How does it affect you? You are not required to believe as we do- and if you do feel that we are wrong and you are right, than what are you concerned about? If we are wrong- than that will be something that God will judge us on when the day comes, and vice versa. He is the only that can do that.
2007-09-08 02:47:20 · answer #2 · answered by pono7 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We do not believe in "John Smith".
We do believe in Joseph Smith as a prophet called by God.
It is the message and the restoration of the true Gospel that I believe he brought back to us, under the direction of God.
Of course , if you never read the book of mormon, you probably never understand that.
You said there is no proof, but that is too soon to call. Remember, the LDS only just started to shine, besides, how many years before anything shows up to back up the Bible?
Keep an open mind, you will be amazed.
2007-09-08 02:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by Wahnote 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when I was a mormon I had an angel experience to, I didn't start a church, but it was pretty wild, this just goes to show that you can't trust every angel that just shows up. i was abused as a child and couldn't take it anymore, so this angel just shows up in my mom's kitchen, takes my hand and we go atro-projecting into space, literally were no man has gone before, like star trek, and I see all the planets and we go to some romote planet outside fo the universe, I am sure it was kolob, were the mormon God was suppose to be at, because i was a mormon at the time and well rehersed in the kolob story and Elohim, and the angel sets me down between two other angels or what looks like to be other angelic parents and I am at peace (maybe a hevenly mother and heavenly father) ((edit: the mormons believe in a heavenly Mother or more then one heavenly mother)) and then the angel takes me back to earth. But after that I was suicidal because I wanted to be there all the time (on the planet). It was just weird.
2007-09-09 13:29:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
John Smith fell for Pocahontas.
Our first latter-day prophet was JOSEPH Smith. And, yes, I do believe him to have been a prophet of God.
I don't know why people follow others, except that they like what they hear.
Myself, I believe that what Joseph Smith taught is totally Biblical and that I am right where God wants me. Those other guys, they didn't have God, they didn't know how to build a GOOD church.
2007-09-09 15:10:19 · answer #5 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith did not suddenly have 10 million followers. It took 150 years to reach that many people. It was not because of his dreams, even the first vision that people related to him. It was simply the message that God loves us. That he has not left us with His guidance.
2007-09-08 16:35:53 · answer #6 · answered by Isolde 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can learn about John Smith here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith_of_Jamestown
I believe that he existed, just I believe Joseph Smith did too. I think that is who you are referring to. Do a little more research and you'll find out the true story of his revelations and also evidence that Jesus did visit the Americas.
2007-09-08 16:57:56 · answer #7 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith. Why do any religious people believe what they do? It's a matter of "faith" no matter what religion you are
Mormons have faith that Joseph Smith is a true prophet for the same reason any religious person has faith in their particular religion's doctrine
An absence of proof is completely irrelevant. No religion has proof that their doctrine is correct, that is why faith is such an important concept to religious people
2007-09-08 01:16:48 · answer #8 · answered by lindsey p 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I can't prove it as much as you can prove Christ rose from the dead. I believe what the Bible, Book of Mormon & new revelations given to Joseph Smith & other prophets of the church by faith. The scriptures tell us we are saved by faith not by sight.
2007-09-08 01:42:52 · answer #9 · answered by Brother G 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
2007-09-10 01:01:02 · answer #10 · answered by Joseph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋