Joseph Smith, Nephi and Moroni
What do you think? Could both stories be true?
Introductory page of D&C 1976, 3rd paragraph; “This took place in the early spring of 1820. In September, 1823, and at later times, Joseph Smith received visitations from Moroni, an angel of light, who revealed the resting place of the ancient record from which The Book of Mormon was afterward translated.”
Joseph Smith History 1:32-33; “The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. 33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil…”
Or maybe it was a different angel of light…
Times and Seasons, vol. 3 (November 1841 – October 1842): p. 753; “The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him I was afraid, but the fear soon left me. He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Nephi. That God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil…”
Why are these two stories so vastly different? If this was such a monumental event for mankind, why couldn’t Smith remember this angel’s name?
2 Cor. 11:13-15; “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
The warning from Paul to the Corinthians is scary and should make you want to run the other way as fast as you can!
Why would you be proud of people knowing your name for evil?
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
1 Cor. 1:18-19