Was Joseph Smith Really a Prophet from God?

From http://www.equip.org/perspectives/was-joseph-smith-really-a-prophet-from-god/

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Introduction
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, claimed to be a prophet of God.  Was he?

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Smith’s Vision
In determining whether Joseph Smith was a prophet of God we need first to look at Smith’s so-called “first vision,” in which God supposedly instructed the would-be prophet to start a new church — what was to become the Mormon church.  The evidence shows, however that Smith’s testimony suffers from a host of internal discrepancies.  For example, the earliest recorded account of Smith’s “first vision” makes mention only of Jesus Christ, whereas other accounts report the appearance of both Jesus and God the Father, or of an angel, or a group of angels.  Whatever the case may be, it’s clear to see that such conflicting reports only serve to cast doubt on the veracity of Smith’s testimony.  Keep in mind that several of these accounts came from the same man — Joseph Smith himself.

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Prophetic Accuracy
Turning now to prophetic accuracy, we find that Smith fares no better than he did in recounting his alleged encounter with God.  According to Deuteronomy 18:22, God’s prophets have a one hundred percent rate of accuracy — that is to say, their prophetic predictions never miss the mark.  Unfortunately for Smith, such standards proved too much for him.  We note, for example, that Smith predicted that a Mormon temple in Missouri would be constructed before all of the people living in 1832 pass away.  This did not occur.

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- A Different god?
But even if Smith were flawless in all his predictions (which certainly was not the case), according to Deuteronomy 13:1-3 he would still not qualify as a prophet of God because he was speaking for a false god — a god other than the One revealed in Scripture.  The facts lead us to draw only one conclusion: that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet, but a false prophet.  And remember, the irony is that is was Joseph Smith who attacked Christianity by saying that all its teachers were corrupt.

On Joseph Smith and the question “Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?”, that’s the CRI Perspective.  I’m Hank Hanegraaff.

Our Relationship with the Lord by Bruce R. McConkie

Today I took the time to read a copy of Bruce McConkie’s 1982 BYU Devotional entitled “Our Relationship with the Lord.”  AS I read this 22 page paper I was blown away by what was written by the Apostle.  Every time I talk to a Mormon about them believing or worshipping Christ, one of the biggest answers I get is, “Yes… I mean the name of our church has Jesus in it.” 

But what did Bruce McConkie say about Jesus Christ? 

“We worship the Father and him only and no one else. We do not worship the Son and we do not worship the Holy Ghost.”

This Statement surprised me because I believed that the Mormon Church did worship Jesus.  I mean they did name the Church after Him.  We clearly have here that Bruce McConkie telling the people of the LDS faith that, “We worship the Father and him only and no one else.”   

But is that all… NOOOOOOOO!!!! What else did I find in this Devotional, well that Bruce McConkie taught that Jesus work off His salvation.  Point 5 in this devotional it states, “Christ worked out his own salvation by worshipping the Father.” 

WOW JESUS WORK OFF HIS SALVATION!!!

In another part he writes, “After all of this he was called upon to work out his own salvation”. 

But this make since seeing as most Mormons are trying to work their way to Heaven.  So even at the beginning there is not a since of grace of God to save when the Son has to be saved and work to be saved himself. 

The devotional comes to the conclusion with Bruce McConkie telling the people of the LDS faith that they don’t need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

“To single out one member of the Godhead for a Special relationship, the Father, not the Son, would be the one to choose.”  and “Our relationship with the Son is one of brother or sister in the pre-mortal…”

Mormons, this is why we see and call you non-Christians.  When you take Jesus and make Him a man who has to work for His own salvation, its wrong.  Jesus is God, not a God but God. 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome  it. John 1:1-5 (HCSB)

We Bible Believing Christians understand that Jesus is God and we need to have that relationship with Him.  Jesus saves us from our Sin by the blood be shed on the cross for us.  This is a gift that was given to us.  We can not work our way to Heaven because we can never pay for the sins we commit.  I proudly Worship Jesus because He is my God and my LORD (John 20:28). 

Look to the teachings of you teachers my Mormon friends and then look to the Bible for the truth.  It will set you free.

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