Life After Ministry

Studying the Book of Mormon 8

My Endless List of Questions in the Ongoing Saga of Nephi 

Plagiarism:  the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.

www.dictionary.com

3 Nephi 1:14; “Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.” 

If anyone knows what the verse above actually means and can explain it to me, I’d love to hear from you!  The quote comes from “the voice of the Lord”. 

The story of third Nephi opens up repeating some of the things Helaman told us about at the end of his book.  This particular book has been called “the holies of the holies of the Book of Mormon” (John Welch, Maxwell Institute) and looked upon as the best literary work of the Church, rivaling the writings of Isaiah. 

This time around we’re going to be listing the main events with a list of question at the end of each chapter for the Mormon to ask themselves in their private time.  I’m praying the questions will spark further investigation of what their god is all about and whether or not he’s worthy of their adoration. 

Chapter One Theme 

The main theme in the first chapter is undoubtedly the birth of Jesus Christ.  But there are glaring questions that need to be asked.

Where did the father of Nephi go and why did he leave his family?  What purpose does this serve in glorifying God or learning more about Him (1:3)?  Did his family go out looking for him?  If he was a man of God why would he do this?  The man is the only source of money to the family in ancient societies so why would he just up and leave his wife like this?

 Why Smith felt it necessary to tell his readers the dark people had to set aside a day to kill the white and delightsome people is very telling.  There’s really no reason for that verse as it doesn’t glorify God or promote a holy atmosphere.  (1:9)

 What it does promote is further mistrust and hatred for those who don’t think like you do.

 Why isn’t the focus of their scripture about the miracle of Jesus’ birth and how awesome it is their Redeemer has come to rescue them?  What about all the specific prophecies His birth fulfilled?  Since those Nephites supposedly had all the writings of their fathers, it shouldn’t be too difficult to drag them out and look, right?

 Who is the guy talking from the clouds in v. 14?  The Mormons don’t believe in the Trinity.  This verse has to be at the top of the list for the absurd.  Honestly people…

 Why are they baptizing people in 3 AD?  Jesus would’ve been about 7 yrs old around that time…  (1:25)

 Chapter Two Theme

 “And this ended the _____ year”…

 Most of the nineteen verses in this chapter are riddled with the repeated phrase of how many years had passed away.  How does this point to God and what does he want for you to learn from it?

 What is the doctrine of Christ spoken of in 2:2?  More contentions arose from the bad guys leading people away from the Lord.

 Is it reasonable that people living in Mesoamerica would be worried about their “liberties of their church and worship and their freedoms”?  (2:12)

 Do you honestly believe God would change the color of someone’s skin because they became righteous?  (2:15)

 If you’re African American, Mexican, Peruvian or Asian are you still dark now that you’re considered righteous?

 Chapter Three Theme

 Epistles of Governor Lachoneus’ and Giddianhi the Chieftain Robber

 How did the governor end up with a Greek sounding name in Mesoamerica in 15 AD?

 Do you really believe that a band of thugs are going to be sending the governor an detailed “epistle” and use vocabulary in this manner?

 “And behold, I am Giddianhi; and I am the governor of this the secret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be good…And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and government, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi.”  (vs. 9-10)

 Lachoneus delivers marvelous prophecies to the Gadianton robbers to surrender and “so great” were his words that it caused fear to come upon the Gadiantons.  Really?  What all did he say that it caused so much fear and is this really believable?

 3 Nephi 3:22 lists most all of the things that didn’t exist in Mesoamerica at that time and claims they marched to the appointed place to wait for a battle with the robbers.  Chariots, grain, cattle, herds and horses were only existent in the mind of Joseph Smith.

 The other problem with this claim is how many people Smith claims was there.  Tens of thousands…yet not one single shred of any archaeological evidence has been found.

 Chapter Four Theme

 The Greatest Slaughter and Giddianhi’s Death

 Other than the slaughters being so great and the horrible grammar used in this chapter, the most remarkable event we learned of was the use of the word “scantiness”.  True story.  The etymology of this word only goes back to the early 17^th Century.  Why is it in the Book of Mormon in 21 AD?  (4:19)

 The only other thing worthy of mention was the last two verses when the Nephites were victorious over the robbers.  The way this event is phrased makes it laughable if it wasn’t so sad.  Why do the Mormon people believe this?

 3 Nephi 4:32-33; “Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.  33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.”

 Chapter Five Theme

 Supposed Allusion to the Gathering of Israel

 Is it reasonable to believe that not one single Nephite doubted the prophets?  Not one.  (5:1)

 Did every single Nephite really forsake all their sins (5:3)?  This claim would mean tens of thousands of people were perfect.

 If the Book of Mormon was really written on brass plates, how did Nephi have the room to write this in verse seven;

 “And thus had the twenty and second year passed away, and the twenty and third year also, and the twenty and fourth, and the twenty and fifth; and thus had twenty and five years passed away.”

 The very next verse we’re told that so many things happened they couldn’t all be written.  Okay, so you have the time, space and energy to write the verse above, but you can’t tell us about the miracles?  It also used the phrase from the Apostle John again… “…this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years.”  John wrote that circa 90 AD.

 In 5:13 Mormon tells us he’s a disciple of Jesus Christ but that’d be kind of hard to do since Jesus wasn’t out on the mission field yet.  It’s 21 AD.

 We find in 3 Nephi 5:18-19 how Mormon tells us that his work isn’t from God, but himself.

 “And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write.  19 And now I make an end of my saying, which is of myself, and proceed to give my account of the things which have been before me.”

 The next verse makes it sound like he’s a breed of an animal or something.  What in the world is a “pure descendant”?

 “I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi…”

 Is that opposed to a fake descendant?

 Chapter Six Theme

 The Pretended Appearance of God’s Presence

 If these prophets don’t have the time, space or materials to write everything down, why do they continually have to repeat themselves in their writings?  3 Nephi 6:2;

 “…and they did return to their own lands and their possessions, both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward and on the land southward.”

  To back track one verse, you’ll see that they also have a problem remembering that cattle and horses still weren’t available to the Americas in 30 AD.

 1 John 4:4 says; “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

 I’m convinced Joseph didn’t understand how the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of true believers.  Smith’s obvious hatred for God shows up in the repetitive stories of how God failed the people time and again.  God doesn’t fail, people do. 

 John 14:16-18; “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

 The building up of the church, the contentions and then continual peace times back and forth are proof that God did not exist with these people.  They only lived in the imagination of Joseph Smith’s mind.

 From verses 10 – 30 is one of many examples that Smith made this whole thing up.  The church broke up then got back together…

 Chapter Seven Theme

 Pathetically Uninspired

 My Book of Mormon chapter headings says this chapter contains Nephi’s powerful ministry.  I would find it difficult at best that Nephi could do anything if their god can’t deliver on his promises.  Be that as it may, there are also other uninspiring events to take a look at in this chapter.  3 Nephi 7:8 is plagiarized from 2 Peter 2:22, but with a twist of Smith’s grammar problem thrown into the mix.

 “And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.”

 In 7:17-19 it tells us again too many things happened to write them in their books.  It also tells us of Joseph’s obsession with angels because angels administered to Nephi on a daily basis and then we’re told of Nephi’s power to raise someone from the dead.  Just out of the blue, no background, no recorded witnesses, no proof, no reason why the person died, nothing.  And then just as a reminder this is not an inspired work of God, the chapter ends with this;

 “And there were many in the commencement of this year that were baptized unto repentance; and thus the more part of the year did pass away.”

Chapter Eight Theme

 Nephi’s Perfection and Three Days of Darkness with the Crucifixion

 3 Nephi 8:1; “And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity—”

 

Somehow the Mormon god just can’t seem to get any good men but Nephi to serve in his army.  Additionally, notice how the prophet Mormon has to remind people that their writings are true.  Who was this meant for?

 3 Nephi 8:3; “And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land.”

 Mark 15:33; “And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”

 This is a classic example of how the Book of Mormon is not inspired of God.

See our article on Life After Ministry blog for 1,000 Reasons to Leave the Mormon Church.  Look under the topic of crucifixion for our insight above.

http://lifeafterministry.com/2010/10/01/reasons-starting-with-c

 In 8:18 they use the term “rent in twain” again.  This time they were talking about their rocks.

 In 8:21-22 it says the darkness over the earth was so great they couldn’t even light campfires.  Nothing but continual weeping and how they could “feel the vapor of darkness (vs. 20).

 The majority of this chapter is filled with horrific events of God destroying the earth in cataclysmic earthquakes at the time of Jesus’ death some 5,600+ miles away.  Again they mention the earth was darkened for three days (8:23), people were killed and there were “thunderings and lightening”. 

 Some Book of Mormon apologists have claimed that as many as 70,000 to 90,000 people died during the three days of darkness and earthquakes that took place when Jesus was crucified.

 How do you explain John 10:10?

 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

 Chapter Nine Theme

 Plagiarisms Abound in Jesus’ Travels to the Americas

 Just one question about 9:13.  If the survivors Jesus is talking to are more righteous than those who died why are they told to repent?  Wouldn’t they have already done that?

 Here’s a list of the bible verses they plagiarized and the verses from the Book of Mormon they used them in.

 3 Nephi 9:13 and John 12:40; “…and be converted, that I may heal you.”

 3 Nephi 9:15: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.”

 John 1:2-3; “The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him…”

 John 14:11, 13; “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me… that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

 3 Nephi 9:16; “I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.”

John 1:11; “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

 3 Nephi 9:17; “And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.”

 John 1:12, 17; “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

 Also see Luke 24:44; John 15:25; Matthew 5:17…

 3 Nephi 9:18; “I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.”

 John 1:4, 8:12; “In him was life; and the life was the light of men… Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

 Revelation 22:13; “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end…”

 Why were the Nephites speaking Greek?  Apha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Joseph Smith said the Book of Mormon contained no Greek or Latin.  See our article about the Greek and Latin words in the Book of Mormon here:

http://www.lifeafter.org/greek.asp

 3 Nephi 9:19-20; “And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost… ”

 Psalm 51:16-17; “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

 And finally –

 3 Nephi 9:22; “Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.”

 Luke 18:16; “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

 John 10:18; “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself…”

 Isaiah 45:22; “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

 Isn’t it ironic they’d quote this verse and not believe it?  How sad for those who trust in Joseph Smith.

 They plagiarized the bible 17 times in 8 verses.

 Chapter Ten Theme

 Jesus’ Repeated Saying of a Hen and Her Chickens

 Everybody hears a voice from the sky.  Really?

 3 Nephi 10:12 gives an outrageous story of how the earth and its inhabitants behave.  Check this out.

 “And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.”

 The above verse and the last verse of this chapter is the only thing worthy of mention.  In the last verse Jesus shows his resurrected body to the believers.

 Chapter Eleven Theme

 The Sky Voice Comes Again and a Multitude of People Thrust Hands into Jesus

 In 11:1 the voice from the sky makes another appearance but no one understands it this time around.  Just two verses later they still don’t understand the “small voice”.

 In verse four they heard the voice again and in verse five they heard it a third time.  I guess the third time’s a charm because they finally caught on in verse six and it just so happens that God is paraphrasing Matthew 17:5. 

 3 Nephi 11:7; “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.”

 Hey, wait a minute…isn’t that what the exalted god told Smith in the grove of trees?

 Joseph Smith Testimony 1:17; “It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

 Hmmm…

 In verses 9-11 Jesus makes his curtain call and reveals to the people that he’s all that and more while paraphrasing John 1:4, 8:12 and 17:4.  Immediately afterwards the entire crowd falls to the earth from shock.

 For the second time we see another verse that would be hilarious if not for the fact that people like my own mother actually believes this stuff.

 3 Nephi 11:15; “And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.”

 3 Nephi 11:25 “borrows” from Matthew 28:19 which is the Great Commission.  And two verses later they’re copying from 1 John 5:7, John 10:30 and John 14:11.

 3 Nephi 11:28 says that anyone who disagrees with the establishment is of the devil.  Don’t even think about having your own opinion.  You will obey.

 If you think that’s bad, just wait, there’s more.  From 11:32-40 you will find they’ve plagiarized the Bible 11 more times.  We’re listing only one example here.

 3 Nephi 11:39 plagiarizes Matthew 16:16 when it says;

 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.”

 This chapter should be confusing for the Mormon people.  The text declares that Jesus is God and the gates of hell won’t prevail against the body of Christ.  Mormons emphatically denounce these two fundamentals of the Christian faith.  Why they’d use these verses is beyond me.

 Chapter Twelve Theme

 Sermon on the Mount in the Americas and the 12 Nephite Apostles

 This entire chapter with the exception of four verses is plagiarized from the Bible.

 Chapter Thirteen Theme

Plagiarizing Matthew 6

 This chapter is word for word from Matthew chapter six.  I just have one question.

 In 13:24 it says no man can serve two masters for he will hate the one and love the other…

 Hasn’t anyone in the Church figured this out yet?  Their love of Joseph has caused them to hate Jesus.

 All right, I changed my mind.  Why don’t they believe their own writings?  In 13:31 it says not to worry about food or clothing.  What’s up with the food storage?

 Chapter Fourteen Theme

 The Mormon Jesus’ Continued Plagiarisms – Matthew 7

 This chapter is twenty seven verses long and has been copied verbatim from Matthew chapter seven.

 I asked a Mormon once if they’d believe the Bible if it said exactly the same thing that the Book of Mormon did.  Their answer?  Absolutely not.  They’d only believe the teaching if it was in the Book of Mormon.

 Chapter Fifteen Theme

 The Other Sheep

 The main thing I’d want to convey to the Mormons in this chapter is to set the record straight about the other sheep that Jesus spoke of in the Bible.  The other sheep are not the Nephites, Jaredites, Lamanites or Zoramites in the Book of Mormon.

 The other sheep He was referring to in the Bible are the Gentiles.  Show your Mormon friends and loved ones the truth next time you have the opportunity.  John 10:16.

 3 Nephi 15:13 changes the whole scheme of things for the Jews.  America has now become the land of their inheritance.

 In 15:15 they repeat the lie about receiving a commandment from God to leave Jerusalem.  See Jeremiah 42:10-17.

 Chapter Sixteen Theme

 The Other Sheep are the Gentiles!

 Not much happens here but the rhetoric of the Mormon Jesus talking about the Gentiles who believe in him.  From 16:18-20 is the repeating of Isaiah 52:8-10.

 Chapter Seventeen Theme

 Jesus Heals the Children and Leaves to Search for the Lost Ten Tribes

 There are just a couple of things to look at here. 

 In 17:1 the Mormon Jesus tells the crowd his time was at hand.  As a clarification here – Jesus’ time was at the crucifixion.

 In verse four he tells them he’s gotta go talk to the lost ten tribes.  Nowhere in the Bible does it mention a “lost ten tribes of Israel”.  This theory was popular in the days of Joseph Smith.  Ethan Smith (no relation) wrote a novel called “View of the Hebrews”.  The premise of the story was that the Native American people were from the Israelites.

 Chapter Eighteen Theme

 Gorging on the Sacrament

 After filling themselves from the bread and wine a dark cloud came and overshadowed all the people.  When the cloud disappeared Jesus had vanished.  Maybe the dark ominous cloud was a sign they were doing things wrong?

 While plagiarizing the Bible on numerous occasions through this chapter it’s important to point out to the Mormon the significance of the elements taken at communion.

 The LDS Church has used water for the past 150 years or so and in doing so has watered down the true meaning of partaking the elements.  The other area that has dumbed down the thinking in this genre is believing Jesus paid the price for sin in the Garden of Gethsemane.  In 18:7 it says;

 “And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you…”

 Compare that to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:24;

 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

 Jesus’ body was broken and given for them and us – not shown to them.

 Chapter Nineteen Theme

 Raising the Dead and the Race Issue

 Wow!  They opened up this story with the news that every man took his wife and kids and went home.

 It wasn’t long after the “translation” when Joe started his polygamy practices – 1831 to be exact.

In 19:4 Smith uses the Greek names of Timothy (the guy who was raised from the dead) and Jonas which is the Greek form of Jonah.

 In verse 18 they’re praying to Jesus which is something the Mormons of today are forbidden to do.  See Bruce McConkie’s speech in March 1982 when he clearly states that praying to Jesus is wrong.

 Joseph’s “countenance” and obsession with white folks shines forth loud and clear when he describes the people who are righteous.

 3 Nephi 19:25; “And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus…”

 It’s repeated again in 19:30 that only the righteous are white.

 The very last verse is another bad habit of Joseph’s which he passed down to his believers.  No one has greater faith than they do.  No one has seen or heard the things they have…

 Chapter Twenty Theme

 Communion Problems…Again…

 This chapter makes Jesus sound like a magician.  The disciples were hungry again but had no bread or wine (vs. 6).  Lo and behold, in the next verse Jesus gave some to them.

 Just a few verses later we’re told that when they ate and drank they were filled with the Holy Ghost (vs. 9). 

 Unbelievers are those who don’t have the companionship of the Holy Spirit.  Why were they partaking of the elements?

 20:16-18 is taken from Micah chapter 5.

 20:18-20 is Micah chapter 4.

 20:23-26 is taken from Acts chapter 3.

 3 Nephi 20:38 says you can get saved without money.  In the Mormon Church of today that’s not possible.  At the end of each year the Mormons go to a “tithing settlement”.  If you don’t give at least ten percent of your gross income you can pay up in January or not get the needed temple recommend.

 The rest of the chapter from 20:32-45 is taken from Isaiah chapter 52.

 Chapter Twenty One Theme

 The Ongoing Grammar Problems of Joseph Smith…

 3 Nephi 21:11; “Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ…”

 The verse above is just one example of the problem Joseph had with spelling, grammar and editing.  It’s also a sign of the other people he kept company with – no one was very educated.

 3 Nephi 21:2-7 should be pointed out to your Mormon friend.  It is one sentence.

 “And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them; 3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you; 4 For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel;  5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; 6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel; 7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.”

 The chapter consists of Jesus telling the Nephites he will save the Gentiles and gather the lost tribes of Israel that he dispersed out of Jerusalem.  Remember, in the Bible this is exactly the opposite of what God told the Israelites to do – Jer. 42:10-17.

 In 21:8-9 we find copying of Isaiah chapters 52 & 29 and in 21:12-19 are plagiarisms from Micah 5 again.

 Chapter Twenty Two Theme

 Plagiarizing Isaiah 54

 This entire chapter is Isaiah 54.

 Chapter Twenty Three Theme

 Jesus Wants Nephite Records to be Included

 3 Nephi 23:7-9 take the number one spot for stupid things to write.

 “And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.  8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said: 9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?”

 Okay, so Jesus tells Nephi to bring him the records and sacred writings.  Nephi lays them at Jesus’ feet.  Jesus takes a look at them, and summarily tells Nephi he left out some parts so they needed to be added to their text about Samuel the Lamanite.

 Honestly…

 Chapter Twenty Four Theme

 Plagiarizing Malachi chapter 3

 This entire chapter is from Malachi 3.

 Chapter Twenty Five Theme

 Plagiarizing Malachi chapter 4

 This entire chapter is from Malachi 4.

 Chapter Twenty Six Theme

 Jesus  Plays the Part of a Courier and Delivers Scriptures from the Father

 So after they’ve quoted extensively from Malachi Jesus finally tells Nephi and company that he has scriptures God the Father wanted him to hand deliver?  This is so strange (26:2)…

 The rest of this chapter is more plagiarizing from 2 Peter, Revelations, 2 Corinthians, Acts and the gospel of John.  Nephi tells us that not everything can be written down and Jesus told them God will judge their works.

 26:7-8 was written to confuse.  I am convinced Satan used Smith to confuse these people of Mormonism and to dumb down the masses.  He played Smith like a fiddle.

 “But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.  8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.”

 In verse 11 God supposedly told Mormon not to write all the things they needed to know because he wanted to try the people and test their faith.

 If that verse isn’t scary enough to make you want to run the other way I don’t know what is.

 In verse 15 Jesus ascended for the 2^nd time.  Does this mean no one was raptured???

 What do they think of Jesus’ real 2^nd coming?

 Verse 18 can’t be spoken about.

 Chapter Twenty Seven Theme

 Jesus’ Third Appearance and the Name of the Church

 In 27:5 Jesus tells the Nephites they have to name the Church after him with his name in it.

 “Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day.”

 3 Nephi 27:6 is the martyr call for every single Mormon…“endure to the end….”

 And the next few verses Jesus is reminding them again to name the church after him (vs. 7-9).

 3 Nephi 27:14 is a maze of lies.

 “And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—”

 The only people who were judged by their works were the Israelites before Jesus came to die for our sins.  Today if you don’t believe in Him you will be judged by your works.  That is why Jesus went to the Calvary and paid the price for our sin on the Cross.  You will not be judged by your works for salvation if you’re a believer.  The Mormons don’t believe Jesus died on the cross to draw mankind to himself.  They believe he paid that price in the Garden of Gethsemane.

 In 27:29 Smith has plagiarized Matthew 7:7.

 Smith shows again that he doesn’t understand how God operates.  In verses 31- 32 he tells the crowd that everyone in their generation is saved, but watch out because four generations after them they won’t be.  He tells them that the fourth generation will be selling him for silver and gold.

 How could this be?  How could they sell Jesus if He’s already risen and sitting on the right hand of God?

 Chapter Twenty Eight Theme

 Jesus Promises Life Until Age 72…for Most of Them

 This is the infamous chapter where Smith claimed the three Nephites didn’t taste death.  According to Mormon legend, they’re still wandering the earth somewhere.  If this were true, why was there a complete and utter apostasy?  Why weren’t those three Nephites out pounding pavement to see people saved?

 In verses 19-22 we find out the prisons can’t hold the Nephite believers, furnaces can’t burn them and wild beasts can’t tear them apart.  Again, the stories always have to be bigger and better than the Bible.

 In 28:26 Mormon tells us they’ve appeared to him but he’s not allowed to name names.  Ahh, that’s convenient…

 Chapter Twenty Nine Theme

 Mormon Warns Unbelievers they’re Like the Son of Perdition

 Remember, don’t think for yourself or have your own  opinion.

 Chapter Thirty Theme

 The Condemnation of the Gentile

 The only thing worth mentioning in the two verses of this chapter is that all Gentiles are damned.

 If you’re not a Mormon you’re a Gentile.

 Please, please pray for a Mormon today won’t you?

 With Love in Christ,  Michelle Grim

1 Cor. 1:18

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