Sekä Raamattu että Mormonin kirja väittävät, että Jumalan sana ei muutu.

Eikö mormonismi pohjaa Mormonin kirjaan?

Oletetaan, että olet lukenut Mormonin kirjan ja että olet rukoillut saadaksesi tietää, onko se totta ja oliko Joseph Smith Jumalan profeetta. Oletetaan vielä, että olet saanut tunnepohjaisen vastauksen — "palavan tunteen rinnassasi" — joka mormonien mukaan on Jumalan vakuutus näistä asioista.
Vaikka jokainen näistä olisikin totta, se ei silti merkitsisi, että MAP-kirkko on Jumalan oma kirkko. Tämä siksi, että mormonikirkko ei perustu tiukasti Mormonin kirjassa esitettyihin oppeihin. Itse asiassa monet kirjassa esitetyt opit ovat suorastaan ristiriidassa MAP-kirkon nykyisten oppien kanssa.

Esimerkkejä

1. MK:n mukaan on olemassa vain yksi Jumala.
   Alma 11:27-39, 44; 2 Nefi 31:21; Mormon 7:7; 3 Nefi 11:27 jne.
   MAP-kirkko väittää, että on monia jumalia.
   LK 121:32; 132:18-20, 37 sekä eräät Joseph Smithin opetukset.
2. MK:n mukaan Jumalan säädökset ovat muuttumattomat.
   Alma 41:8
   MAP-kirkko väittää, että Jumalan sanaa voidaan muuttaa.
   LK 56:4-5.
3. MK:n mukaan ihmisen pelastusmahdollisuus päättyy kuolemaan.
   Moosia 2:36-39; Alma 34:32-35
   MAP-kirkko väittää, että kuolleitakin voidaan pelastaa.
   LK 76:106-112 & 88:99
4. MK tuomitsee moniavioisuuden.
   Jaakob 1:15, 2:24, 3:5; Moosia 11:2
   MAP-kirkko väittää, että Jumala vaati sen täytäntöönpanoa.
   LK 132:1-4, 37-39, 61.

Kuten lukija voi nähdä, nämä eivät ole vain sivukysymyksiä, vaan koskevat kristinuskon ydinoppeja. Ylläolevat ovat vain esimerkkejä niistä monista ristiriitaisuuksista, joita mormonismista löytyy.
Tämä on seurausta niistä monista opillisista muutoksista, joita mormonismiin on istutettu Mormonin kirjan ensimmäisen painoksen jälkeen. Muutokset ovat tapahtuneet pääasiassa jonkun MAP-kirkon profeetan julistusten pohjalta. Ne ovat olleet aiheina "ilmoituksissa", joita MAP-kirkon edustajat ovat esittäneet Jumalan sanana. Lisäksi kirkko usein panee enemmän luottamusta profeettojensa sanoihin kuin Raamattuun tai edes omiin pyhiin kirjoituksiinsa Mormonin kirja mukaan lukien.
Tässä artikkelissa keskitytään joihinkin mormonismin pyhien kirjoitusten historian osiin, ja tarjotaan lisätodisteita mormonijohtajien toimeenpanemista, laajallelevinneistä opillisista muutoksista.
Monet seuraavista lainauksista ovat otteita David Whitmerin kirjoittamasta kahdesta pamfletista. Whitmer oli yksi mormonikirkon perustajajäsenistä, kolmas henkilö, joka kastettiin jäseneksi, sekä myös yksi "kolmesta todistajasta". Hänet erotettiin v. 1838 — synnintekemisen perusteella — ja hänet leimattiin luopioksi. Kuitenkin hän piti uskonsa sekä Raamattuun että Mormonin kirjaan koko lopun elämänsä ajan.
Vielä nykyäänkin kirkko käyttää hyväkseen hänen "silminnäkijän todistustaan" Mormonin kirjan jumalallisesta aitoudesta.

David Whitmerin kahdesta pamfletista lainatut kohdat on merkitty kirjaimin DW.
An Address To All Believers in the Book of Mormon
An Address To All Believers in Christ [pdf-tiedosto]

Joseph Smith oli ihmisten vaikutuksen alainen?

LDS "...[T]he gospel must always be the same in all its parts. ...No one can change the gospel, and if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views." Editorial, Latter Day Saints' Church News, June 5, 1965, p. 16.

DW "They have written several columns to prove that Brother Joseph was not persuaded by men; but God says in plain words that he was persauded by men. ...The very time when Brother Joseph should have been strongest, while he was translating, God said to him these words: "Behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone in the persuasions of men." (Sec. 2:3). ...I say I know that Brother Joseph was persuaded and led by Sydney Rigdon for some time. Rigdon became Brother Joseph's most intimate friend and brother after he came into the church.... Brother Joseph was persuaded and influenced by him during their first and intimate acquaintance in Ohio, at which time many errors were introduced into the Church of Christ through the direct influence of Sydney Rigdon." Whitmer, p. 7.

Note: Whitmer refers to "The Church of Christ." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was originally named "The Church of Christ." Later it became "The Church of Latter Day-Saints." After members objected to the removal of "Christ," its name was eventually changed again, to its current form. Some researchers believe that Sydney Rigdon was the real impetus behind the rapid growth of the newly-formed Mormon church. Some believe Rigdon actually helped Smith author the Book of Mormon, or authored it himself. David Whitmer was obviously convinced that Rigdon even influenced the "revelations" which Joseph Smith allegedly received.

DW "[The Book of Commandments] was printed complete, and many copies distributed among the members of the church, before the printing press owned by the church was destroyed. Brother Joseph and the brethren received it at first as being printed correctly; but they soon decided to print the Doctrine and Covenants." Whitmer, p. 5.

Note: Many of the doctrines illustrated within the Book of Mormon are similar to Biblical doctrines. The major differences between Christianity and Mormonism arise not out of the doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon, but rather out of the utterances of the LDS "Prophets." Many of the early "revelations" were first "codified" and distributed as The Book of Commandments. But the majority of these books were quickly retrieved and destroyed. After revisions and additions, the "revelations" were again printed and distributed as the LDS Doctrine and Covenants. The LDS Doctrine and Covenants was "canonized," declared to be the Word of God, and became part of Mormonism's "standard works."

DW "The revelations in the Book of Commandments up to June, 1829, were given through the "stone," through which the Book of Mormon was translated. ...The Lord told us not to teach them [the revelations] for doctrine.... They should have been kept with the sacred papers and records of the church, and never published in a book to become public property for the eyes of the world. ...The written word is full on all matters pertaining to the Church of Christ." Whitmer, p. 53.

Note: In addition to the Lord's apparent prohibition against using "revelations" as doctrine, the above quote provides further evidence that Smith's "revelations" were actually received through a "magic" stone, including the alleged "translation" of the Book of Mormon. This, of course, is in direct contradiction with Mormonism's present claim that Smith used the Biblical Urim and Thummim to do so.

DW "It displeased the Lord when they printed those revelations in a book. ...I objected from the first to having those revelations printed." Whitmer, p. 5.

DW "The MAIN REASON why the printing press was destroyed, was because they published the Book of Commandments. It fell into the hands of the world, and the people of Jackson county, Missouri, saw from the revelations that they were considered by the church as INTRUDERS UPON THE LAND OF ZION, as ENEMIES TO THE CHURCH, and that they should be CUT OFF OUT OF THE LAND OF ZION AND SENT AWAY. The people seeing these things in the Book of Commandments became the more enraged, tore down the printing press, and drove the church out of Jackson county. (See Doc. And Cov., Sections 52:9, 64:7, 45:15.)" Whitmer, p. 54.

Note: Whitmer maintained that the "revelations" were never intended to be published as new doctrine. He stated that they were more personal in nature, and were actually intended as "assistance" in the administration of the church. As you can see from Whitmer's quote, some of the persecution of Mormons was the result of provocation. The "revelations" to which he refers threatened the residents of Jackson County, Missouri with the loss of their homes, farms, and literally all that they possessed. We do NOT mean to imply that Mormons did not suffer from real persecution. In fact, there were numerous instancew wherein non-Mormons did commit acts against Mormons that would shock anyone, of any faith. However, as Whitmer pointed out, inflammatory rhetoric did turn many non-Mormons agians the Mormon church. It is merely that aspect that we seek to bring to your attention.

If the Lord told Mormonism's founders NOT to teach the "revelations" as doctrine, why has the Mormon church published and "canonized" many of them in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants?

DW "In June, 1829, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and myself [Whitmer], received this commandment through the stone, "Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written (then, at that time, June, 1829), for in them are all things written concerning my church, my gospel, and my rock." This revelation reads this way to-day in the old Book of Commandments. But the Latter Day saints changed it in 1834 to read different in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. The revelations received through the stone in 1829, agree with the teachings of Christ in The Bible and Book of Mormon; but in order to support the errors which were afterwards introduced by men, some of the early revelations have been changed and added to.... You have changed the revelations from the way they were first given and as they are to-day in the Book of Commandments, to support the error of brother Joseph in taking upon himself the office of seer to the church. You have changed the revelations to support the error of high priests. You have changed the revelations to support the error of a president of the high priesthood, high counselors, etc. You have altered the revelations to support you in going beyond the plain teachings of Christ in the new covenant part of the Book of Mormon. You have changed and altered the revelations to support the error of publishing those revelations in a book.... You who are now living did not change them, but you who strive to defend these things, are as guilty in the sight of God as those who did change them." Whitmer, p. 49.

Note: In summary, Whitmer adamantly proclaims that:

1. The Lord directed Mormon leaders to rely only upon The Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon;
2. The "revelations" were deliberately changed and added to by Smith and his associates;
3. The effect of certain changes allowed Smith to declare himself "Seer" to the church, and to effect other changes in the church's organizational structure, thereby granting significant new power to himself and his key associates; and
4. Smith used a "magic" stone in receiving "revelations" (often referred to as "glass-looking," or "crystal-gazing").

Raamattu 5 Moos. 18:20: "Jos taas joku profeetta julkeaa minun nimissäni puhua sellaista, mitä minä en ole käskenyt hänen puhua, tai puhuu vieraiden jumalien nimissä, hänen on kuoltava."

Since Mormonism's own designated "witness" to the events clearly states that Joseph Smith used a "magic" rock to allegedly "translate" the Book of Mormon, why does Mormonism claim that he used the Biblical Urim and Thummim?

Raamattu 5 Moos. 18:10-12: "10 Keskuudessanne ei saa olla ketään, joka panee poikansa tai tyttärensä kulkemaan tulen läpi, ei myöskään ketään taikojen tekijää, enteiden tai ennusmerkkien selittäjää, noitaa, 11 loitsujen lukijaa, henkienmanaajaa, tietäjää eikä ketään, joka kysyy neuvoa kuolleilta. 12 Jokainen, joka sellaista harjoittaa, on iljetys Herralle, ja juuri näiden iljettävien tapojen vuoksi Herra, teidän Jumalanne, hävittää ne kansat teidän tieltänne."

3 Moos. 20:6: "Jos joku luopuu minusta ja kääntyy vainajahenkien ja tietäjien puoleen, minä käännyn häntä vastaan ja poistan hänet kansansa keskuudesta."

Ei mitään muuta lahjaa = ei valtuutta

DW "I was present when Brother Joseph [Smith] gave nearly every revelation that is in the Book of Commandments, besides many other revelations that were never printed, and I knew everything that was in them, and when I tell you that I know they were changed and added to, I know what I am saying. One of the most important changes is in the very revelation that was to myself and Brother Oliver, to search out the Twelve. This is the one about relying upon the Book of Mormon alone in building up the church. Many, many times have I read and studied it, and I tell you I know that those seven words were added to it, reversing the meaning entirely. I was present when [Joseph Smith] gave this revelation. ...Oliver Cowdery, F. G. Williams, and W. W. Phelps... admit in their quotations which you have published, that the revelations have been added to; that a few items have been added from other revelations, etc...."

"The errors that these men refer to are "typographical and other errors." Now do you suppose that the type-setters in the printing office made the error, and added to that revelation concerning Brother Joseph's gift, adding twenty-two words to one paragraph, leaving room for brother Joseph to take upon himself the gift of seer to the church when God commanded him to pretend to no other gift, for he would grant him no other gift, except to translate the Book of Mormon? And do you suppose those other changes are typographical errors? Of course you must know that the important changes and additions to these revelations did not happen by any errors or mistakes - typographical, transcribing manuscript, or any other kind of mistakes. How can you help but see and understand that these revelations were wilfully changed and added to? ...You must remember that the Herald of December 25, 1886 has already admitted that these revelations were changed, claiming that - "God had the same right to authorize his appointed Seer to add to any of the revelations certain words and facts, that he has to give him any revelations at all." ...Those who are spiritually blinded enough to believe that God authorized those changes spoken of in my letter, may have the right to believe that God works in that manner, but I will not believe it, and thousands of others will never believe it. When God gave his word, saying he would grant brother Joseph no other gift but to translate the book, he meant what he said. Brother Joseph giving the revelations of 1829 through the same stone through which the book was translated, was the same gift. He then gave up the stone forever, and told me and the rest of us that he was through what the Lord had given him the gift to do. ...Brother Joseph afterwards took upon himself the great gift, and not the ordinary gifts of the spirit." Whitmer, p. 3.

Note: Whitmer states that even though Smith was given no other gift from God but to translate the plates, he simply changed the "word of God" and declared himself to be "prophet, seer and revelator"! Furthermore, Whitmer again proclaims that both the "revelations" and the Book of Mormon came "through the stone!"

If God gave Smith no further gift but to translate the golden plates, how could he subsequently issue doctrines which significantly differ from both The Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, and then declare them to be the Word of God?

DW "Is it possible that any one can believe that those changes could have happened by a mistake in copying before the Book of Commandments was printed: in the revelation to rely upon the Book of Mormon in building up the church, there are seven words added in one paragraph which changes the original meaning entirely; In the one concerning Brother Joseph's gift, twenty-two words are added in one paragraph, which reverse the original meaning entirely. In the one which gives the duties of high priests, etc., eighty-seven words are added. In other revelations there are also words added, all of which shows too plainly on the face of it, that these changes were wilfully made to cover up errors into which they had drifted. I made it plain in my letter that God would not work in that manner, authorizing any one to add words or facts to revelations, changing and reversing the original meaning...." Whitmer, p. 4.

Note: Whitmer clearly accuses Mormonism's leaders of altering the alleged "Word of God," thereby reversing the original meanings of the "revelations". Whitmer's claims can be "tested" by comparing the 1833 Book of Commandments, and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Photo reproductions of both books are available in Wilford C. Wood's book entitled "Joseph Smith Begins His Work," Vol. 2, (n.p.: Wilford C. Wood, 1995). Wood's book can be purchased from Utah Lighthouse Ministries.

Raamattu: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up...." 2 Peter 2:1-3.

"...[I]f anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or, `Look, there he is!' Do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." Mark 13:21-23.

"[Jesus said:] Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23.

"This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. ...He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:5-7.

DW "I said that the people... who afterward went to Salt Lake... were the people who had gone deep into error and blindness...." Whitmer, p. 5.

DW "...Grievous errors and abominations were praticed by some persons in the church. I have told you, but a small portion of what I know of my own personal knowledge." Whitmer, p. 6.

DW "I want to ask you who is an apostate from the faith, he who stands for the doctrine as Christ taught it to the "twelve" at Jerusalem, and the "twelve" upon this land, or he who teaches more or less and establishes it for his doctrine?" Whitmer, p. 8.