The Impossible Gospel of Mormonism; The Plan of Salvation

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References:

[1]     "Premortality, a Glorious Reality", Neal A. Maxwell, General Conference, Oct. 1985
[2]     War in Heaven, LDS Bible Dictionary
[3]     "The Time to Prepare", Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference, April 1998
[4]     "The Salvation of Little Children", Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, April, 1977
[5]     Baptisms for the Dead, Gospel Topics Online
[6]     "Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher's Manual", Lesson 22: Striving for Perfection, p. 122-27
[7]     "Postmortal Spirit World", Gospel Principles, Ch. 41
[8]     "Confession", New Era, J. Richard Clarke, November 1980
[9]     Church Disciplinary Councils, Gospel Topics Online
[10]   "after all we can do", List of rules and commandments
[11]   "Redemption through Jesus Christ after All We Can Do", Ezra Taft Benson, Liahona, dec. 1988
[12]   "The Miracle of Forgiveness", Spencer W. Kimball, p.169
[13]   "The Gospel of Jesus Christ", L. Tom Perry, Gen. Conf., April 2008

[14]    Outer Darkness, LDS Online Guide to the scriptures

[15]    D&C 76:98-103
[16]    “Celestial Kingdom” , LDS Topics Online
[17]    “Terrestrial Kingdom”, LDS Topics Online
[18]    “Telestial Kingdom”, LDS Topics Online
[19]     BAPTISM, LDS Online Guide to the scriptures

 

Scriptures Quoted in Panel:

• Moroni 10:32
• 2 Nephi 25:23
• D&C 58:43
• 1 Nephi 10:21
• Alma 34:32-34

Panel Made by Mormon Infographics

Panel Made in Collaboration with:

• http://www.impossiblegospel.com
• http://www.evidenceministries.org/

PDF Copy

Population Growth in the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon population growth rate would have to have been more than double that of the Roman Empire and other peers.

Nephite/Lamanite Populations with the most conservative estimates possible:

• Population Start (Ps) = 100 
• Number includes both Lehi's family and the Mulekites who colonized during the same period.
• Lamanite army size estimate using the same number of as the Nephite Army
• Even though Mormon 6:8 indicates that the Nephites were "filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers"
• Warrior to Population ratios used is 1:4
• Even though anthropologists say 1:5 is the usual ratio.  And they sometimes go as high as 1:6 depending on the type of battles.

References:

[1]  Mormon 6:8-16

[2]  "An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon", John L. Sorenson, BYU Anthropologist

[3]  Pop. Start = 100, Pop. Finish = 1.8 Million = 1.02% Annual Growth Rate See Note [5]

[4]  "Roman Empire Population", Chris Heaton, unrv.com

[5]  "Calculating Growth Rates", University of Oregon, Bob Parker

Other Resources:

[A]  "Multiply Exceedingly", John C. Kunich, Signature Books
[B]  "Population Growth", Wikipedia, 17th-19th Century Growth Rates

From John C. Kunich's "Multiply Exceedingly"
Table 2 - Growth Rates

DATE	U.N.	Smith; Ehrlich	Hauser	Bogue
1650-1750	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.34
1750-1800	0.4	0.5	-	0.5
1800-50	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.43
1850-1900	0.5	0.8	-	0.68
1900-10	0.8	0.8	-	0.65
1910-20	0.8	0.8	-	0.65
1920-30	0.8	0.8	-	1.07
1930-40	0.8	0.8	1	1.11
1940-50	0.8	0.8	-	1.1
1950-60	1.8	1.8	-	1.83
1960-	2	1.8	2	-

Equation to calculate the Growth of a Population:

Where:

Pf   = Population Final

Ps   = Population Start; Ps = 100

r      = Annual Growth Rate

n     = Years of Growth; n = 984

Apologist Response:
http://www.fairlds.org/authors/danderson-steven/adding-up-the-book-of-mormon-peoples

Kinderhook Plates; Hoax or History?

References:

[1]  Letter from the Chicago Historical Society, 5/23/2005
[2]  Joseph Smith the Prophet, His Family and His Friends, Volume 1, 1886, Affidavit, pp 207-8
[3] As recorded by his scribe William Clayton in History of the Church, v. 5, p. 372
[4] Ensign Magazine, August 1981, "Kinderhook Plates Brought to Joseph Smith Appear to Be a Nineteenth-Century Hoax", Stanley B. Kimball

More Resources:

BYU's FAIR group has a Kinderhook apology
Mormon Expression did a detailed podcast analysis.

Two Cumorahs Explained with Science

Mormon scholars have presented a number of theories to explain the Cumorahs.  This panel is a parody of the Two Cumorah theory.  The theme for the panel is the video game :Portal.  In this game the players use a gun (featured in Moroni's hands) to place portals which allow travel between two distant locations.

See:

• Portal Game
• Two Cumorahs Wikipedia

White And Delightsome Racism In Mormonism

References:

[1]    3 Nephi 2:15, Book of Mormon, Current Edition
[2]    2 Nephi 30:6, Book of Mormon, pre 1981 edition
[3]    1 Nephi 12:23, Book of Mormon, Current Edition
[4]    Improvement Era, December 1960, pp. 922-23, Spencer W. Kimball
[5]    Black Ban Lifted by Spencer Kimball, June 8, 1978, D&C Official Declaration 2, No Apology Given
[6]    Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 10, page 110 (March 8, 1863)
[7]    Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, page 290-291 (October 9, 1859)

LDS Patriarchal Blessings

Patriarchal Blessings
Patriarchal blessings are given to worthy members of the Church by ordained patriarchs. Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.
(See Explanation at lds.org) 

Members receive a written copy and consult the text regularly throughout their lives.  For many, it is used as a guide to help make decisions for an entire lifetime.

The strange lettering is written in the Deseret Alphabet, a script developed at BYU under the direction of the Prophet Brigham Young.

NOTE:
This satirical panel was used by permission of the anonymous author (not created by Mormon Infographics.)

Joseph Smith's First Vision and His Conflicting Accounts

References:

LDS owned Joseph Smith Papers
http://josephsmithpapers.org/site/accounts-of-the-first-vision

[A] 1832 - "The Lord" | ‘First Vision', from History, 1832, JosephSmithPapers.org: Joseph Smith Letterbook 1, pp.2,3
[B] 1835, Nov 9 - To Minister | Joseph Smith's Journal November 9-11, 1835
[C] 1835, Nov 14 - To Erastus Holmes | History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 312 | Also found in Joseph Smith Journal November 14th, 1835
[D] 1838 - Adopted as "Official" | Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith — History, 1:7-20
[E] All 10 Versions compiled @ http://mit.irr.org/joseph-smiths-changing-first-vision-accounts
[F] All Journal Entries @ JosephSmithPapers.org

See Also:

Watch the BYU-TV Documentary on the First Vision Accounts

1. Part I
2. Part II
3. Part III
4. Part IV
5. Part V

Here is a formatted PDF doublesided ready to print.

Apologetic Response

• http://en.fairmormon.org/Criticism_of_Mormonism/Online_documents/Letter_to_a_CES_Director/First_Vision_Concerns_%26_Questions
• http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith's_First_Vision/Accounts

Change Log

06/20/2012 Fixed an error in the 1835 Jewish Minister account.  Mistakenly had Joseph's age listed as 17 when it was actually 14.  I actually fixed this error about a month ago when I had hard copies made and t-shirts but I forgot to update the website here.  That was an oversight and I apologize.

A special thanks to the folks at FAIR for pointing this out.  I welcome any and all future input.

The Wives of Brigham Young; Visualized

Multiple Source References:
"Wives of Brigham Young", Jay Deuel, http://www.cc.utah.edu/~jay/Brigham_Young/Brigham_Young.html
"Brigham Young's Wives", Utah Lighthouse Ministry, http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/brighamyoungswives.htm
"List of Brigham Young's Wives". Wikipedia entry with multiple sources, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young's_wives

*The black cameo silhouettes were created by mormoninfographics for presentation purposes.

For prints, use 11x17 Ledger size. Anything smaller may not be completely legible.
Order a full color large print from the Mormon Infographics Cafe Press Store

See Also:
The Many Wives of Joseph Smith; Visualized

Joseph Smith: Praise to the Man!

References


[1] LDS Hymnbook, "Praise to the man", 1985, Hymn #27

1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

[Chorus]
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

2. Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.

3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again.

Text: William W. Phelps, 1792–1872

♬♪ Praise to the Man - Joseph Smith ♫♭

[2] Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p 154
      "Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him."

[3] Boast, Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408, 409

      “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a
      whole church together since the days of Adam... Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast
      that no man ever did such work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day
      Saints never ran away from me yet.”

[4] Consent, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-291
      "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the
      consent of Joseph Smith"

[5] Psalm 9:11 NIV

      "Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;
       proclaim among the nations what he has done."

Do Mormons Really Believe They Can Get Their Own Planet?

Panel Text

Q: Do Mormons really believe they can get their own planet?
A: No!  They believe they'll get their own universe.
"As man is God once was; as God is man may be"


References

[1]     Mormon News Room, "Mormonism 101: FAQ" 
         Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”?
         No. This idea is not taught in Latter-day Saint scripture, nor is it a doctrine of the Church.
         http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101#C14

[2]     Lorenzo Snow; “The Grand Destiny of Man,” Deseret Evening News, July 20, 1901, 22
          "As man is God once was; as God is man may be"

          This quote is reiterated in the 2012 manual:
          "Teachings of Presidents of the Church", George Albert Smith, Chapter 7

See Also

[Heber C. Kimball] When we escape from this earth, (do) we suppose we are going to heaven? Do you suppose you are going to the earth that Adam came from? that Eloheim came from? where Jehovah the Lord came from? No. When you have learned to become obedient to the Father that dwells upon this earth, to the Father and God of this earth, and obedient to the messengers He sends---when you have done all that, remember you are not going to leave this earth. You will never leave it until you become qualified, and capable, and capacitated to become a father of an earth yourselves. 160 years ago today - Nov 14, 1852

--Journal of Discourses 1:356

Gospel Principles, Chapter 47, Blessings of Exaltation

Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith inJesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. 1. 
   They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and JesusChrist (see D&C 76:62).
2. 2. 
   They will become gods (see D&C 132:20–23).
3. 3. 
   They will be united eternally with their righteous family members and will be able to have eternal increase.
4. 4. 
   They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. 5. 
   They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge (see D&C 132:19–20). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to His commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:36; italics in original).

The Inhabitants of the Moon & Sun

Quotes

[1] Joseph Smith, Jr.
"The inhabitants of the moon are more of a uniform size than the inhabitants of the earth, being about 6 feet in height.  They dress very much like the Quaker style and are quite general in the style or the one fashion of dress.  They live to be very old; coming generally, near a thousand years."

[2] Brigham Young
"So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun.  Do you think it is inhabited?  I rather think it is.  Do you think there is any life there?  No question of it; it was not made in vain.  It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets' and so will this earth when it is celestialized."

References

[1a] Joseph Smith, Jr., The History of Oliver B. Huntington, p. 10, typed copy, Marriott Library, University of Utah
[1b] Joseph Smith, Jr., (Similar Reference); Young Woman's Journal "The inhabitants of the moon", 3:263-264;
[2] Brigham Young, 1871, Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, page 271

LDS Modern Day Prophecy; Where is it?

If the image appears blurry, Click to Open full screen and full resolution


Quotes & References

[1] Chart Data http://www.afterallwecando.com/count-of-modern-lds-prophecies
[2] "the coming of the Lord, which was nigh--even fifty-six years"
      Joseph Smith, Jr. Quote ; History of Church, v2, p 182
[3] "We will never get a man into space."
      Joseph Fielding Smith Quote en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_doctrine/Changing
[4] "I am sustained as such"
      Hinckley-King Quote; CNN Larry King Live; sfgate.com; Sunday Interview; April 13, 1997
[5] "One, two, three--let's go shopping"
      Monson Quote businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-10/how-the-mormons-make-money
[6] Senator: "Have you ever received revelation from God?"
      Joseph F. Smith: "No sir, none whatsoever"
      en.fairmormon.org/Revelation_after_Joseph_Smith/Joseph_F._Smith_at_Smoot_hearings
[7] "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?  If what a prophet proclaims
      in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true"
      Deuteronomy 18:21-22 NIV

Christians agree with Moroni 8:18; Why don't Mormons?

References

[1] Moroni 8:18; Book of Mormon
"For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."

[2] Lorenzo Snow; “The Grand Destiny of Man,” Deseret Evening News, July 20, 1901, 22
"As man is God once was; as God is man may be"

[3] Joseph Smith Quote; History of the Church, Vol. 6, Ch. 14, p. 305-6; Joseph Smith, Jr. "King Follet Discourse"
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!  That is the great secret. ...I am going to tell you how God came to be God.  We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity.  I will refute that idea, and take away the veil,..."

See also:

http://WeAgreeWith818.com
Isaiah 44:6,8 
Romans 11:33-36

A Mormon Testimony is 60% "The Church", not Christ Focused

References

[1] Testimony Glove, Liahona, Oct. 2008
[2] John 14:6 NIV

Prescriptive LDS Testimony:

• 1. I know that God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us.
• 2. I know that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer.
• 3. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth and translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.
• 4. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth today.
• 5. I know that this Church is led by a living prophet who receives revelation.

References:
John 14:6 NIV
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2008/10/testimony-glove

Kirtland Banking Society

References

[1]    'Anti-Banking Company', "Mormon Enigma", by Newell & Avery, pp. 62

[2]    Painesville Republican, Feb. 22, 1838, Conflict at Kirtland, pg 297
         Joseph declared that the audible voice of God, instructed him to establish a banking-anti-banking institution."
         "[The Kirtland Safety Society] Shall swallow up all other Banks"

[3]    "No Man Knows My History", Fawn Brodie, pp. 199-202

[4]    "Joseph Smith As An Administrator," M.A. thesis, BYU, May 1969, pp. 80-88
         Smith tried in court and found guilty

[5]    "The Mormon Murders", by Naifeh & Smith, 1988, pp 25-26
         Prospective clients shown boxes of sand with a thin layer of coins on top

Book of Abraham; Facsimile #3 Examined

If the image appears blurry, Click to download full resolution

See also:

Facsimile #1 Examination	Facsimile #2 Examined

References:

Joseph Smith's Interpretation
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-3

Modern Eqyptological Interpretation
http://www.bookofabraham.com/boamathie/BOA_6.html

FAIR LDS explanation
http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Abraham/Joseph_Smith_Papyri

Joseph Smith's Interpretation	Figure	Modern Egyptological Interpretation
Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.	1	This is Osiris Writing above figure:  "Recitation by Osiris, Foremost of the Westerners" The "atef" crown also identifies him as Osiris
King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head.	2	This figure is female not male. Writing above figure:  "Isis the great, the god's mother"
Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1.	3	This is a libation table (wine, oils, etc.)
Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.	4	This figure is female not male. Writing above figure:  "Maat, mistress of the gods."
Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand.	5	This is the deceased individual wearing the traditional cone of perfumed grease and lotus flower on his head. Writing above figure:  "The Osiris Hôr, justified forever"
Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.	6	Not a slave, this is Anubis, guide of the dead, who is there to support the deceased. Writing above figure:  "Recitation by Anubis, who makes protection(?), foremost of the embalming booth,…"

Book of Abraham; Facsimile #2 Examined

If the image appears blurry, Click to download full resolution

See also:

Facsimile #1 Examination	Facsimile #3 Examined

References:

Joseph Smith's Interpretation available at: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-2
Modern Eqyptological Interpretation at:  http://www.bookofabraham.com/boamathie/BOA_7.html
FAIR LDS explanation at http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Abraham/Joseph_Smith_Papyri

Joseph Smith's Interpretation	Figure	Modern Egyptological Interpretation
Kolob, The residence of God	1	The god Khnumu.
Stands next to Kolob	2	"Amun-Re", god with two faces representing rising & setting sun.
God sitting on his throne, clothed with power and authority	3	"Horus-Re" riding in his boat
Raukeeyang; also the number 1,000; The measuring of time of Oliblish	4	Represents Sokar, not a number
Enish-go-on-dosh; a governing planet	5	Cow of Hathor, behind which stands a uzat-headed goddes holding a sacred tree.
Represents this earth in it's four quarters	6	The four (4) sons of Horus, they can represent the four cardinal points of earth
God sitting on his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood	7	The god "Min", an ithyphallic god; that is, a sexually aroused male deity.
Contains writings that can only be revealed in the temple.	8	"grant that the soul of Osiris Shechonk may live."
Ought not to be revealed at the present time.	9	"the netherworld (below the earth) and his great waters"
	10	"O might god, lord of heaven and earth"
	11	"O god of the sleeping ones from the time of creation" (Read in order 11, 10, 9, 8)
Will be given in the own due time of the Lord	12	"near" and "wrap"
	13	"which made by"
	14	"breathings"
	15	"this book"
	16	"and may this soul and its possessor never be desecrated in the netherworld"
	17	"May this tomb never be desecrated"
	18	"I am Djabty in the house of Benben in Heliopolis, so exalted and glorious.  [I am] copulating bull without equal.  [I am] that mighty god in the house of Benben of Heliopolis… that might god…"
	19	"You shall be as that god, the Busirian"
	20
	21
No Annotation Given	22	Writing: "The name of this mighty god"
	23	Figures 22,23; Baboons are adoring souls of that realm