Is the act of paying a tithe a financial transaction in the traditional sense?
i.e. I pay you $ XXX.XX and I get YYYYYY
or
i.e. I have given you YYYYYY, now you owe me $ XXX.XX
I’d like to know what the actual church stance is on this as well as anyone’s personal views on the matter.
Since I’ve never paid tithing, I really have no idea how it is handled and I’m quite curious.
One more thing to remember, Jesus left His Spirit with us to testify of Him and of truth. The Spirit will testify of truth and will guide, comfort and lead us in the right paths as long as we are listening.
first you have to decide am i in the new testiment or the old? hm-
Tithing under the Law of Moses. Tithing under the Law of Moses was somewhat tedious and demanding. The Jew was to give a tenth of his crops and a tenth of his flocks (Lev. 27; Deut. 14). A tenth, it appears, was to be paid to the Levites (priests, Num. 18: 21-32). All things considered, the Jew under the law appears to have been required to give anywhere from 20 to 38 percent of his income. The laws regulating giving under the law were very exacting (Lev. 27; Deut. 14).
Giving, as taught in the gospel. When one comes to the Covenant or Testament of Christ, one finds a total absence of teaching regarding tithing. Instead of tithing, one is to give into the treasury of the local church as “he has been prospered†(I Cor. 16: 2). Giving is to be based on first having given oneself to the Lord and in proportion to love (2 Cor. 8: 5, . There must be a willing mind, as purposed in heart, and cheerful and liberal (2 Cor. 8: 12; 9: 7; 6). Giving to the truly needy is also taught (Eph. 4: 28).
The subject of tithing, as observed, pertained to the Jews and the Law of Moses. That system or law has been “blotted out†and “nailed to the cross†(Col. 2: 14). The New Testament, Jesus’ law and covenant, does not stipulate the amount to be given, but provides principles to guide the Christian in his giving. The gospel also contains the ultimate example of giving: The Father gave his Son and Jesus divested himself of heaven’s glory and died on the cross (2 Cor. 8: 9). In urging giving we read, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift†(2 Cor. 9:15).
this is on of my recordings i am a musician/ sound tech
Michael Elzey is an interesting person. Afraid of the truth perhaps but interesting. Truth is truth no matter where it is found.
“Afraid of the truth”—hmm, now where have I seen that before? ;)
Michael, in #43 you say you refuse to read any of the explanations written on Jeff’s web site because they reflect his personal opinions. But if you’re uninterested in personal opinions, what are you doing on this site?
Jesus told us whats up and what we need to do. Man is after $$$/ power and control.
christians have given Jesus a bad name. They have added and added to it. Lied you name it. Jesus came as the poorest of the poor yet he was a king. He made the gospel simple for anybody to understand. He was God in the flesh. So i find it hard to believe that God would make a mistake by leaving something out that we all need to know. When he died on the cross he said it is finished. Its a done deal!
You’re refusing to test the Book of Mormon as you suggest things should be tested. You’re refusing even to read or consider any of the answers that have already been given to every issue you’ve raised. So what’s the point of talking with you? You don’t listen.
personal opinions are just that. But when someone preaches or teaches opinions as truth well that needs to be tested.
Jesus told us whats up and what we need to do. Man is after $$$/ power and control.
christians have given Jesus a bad name. They have added and added to it. Lied you name it. Jesus came as the poorest of the poor yet he was a king. He made the gospel simple for anybody to understand. He was God in the flesh. So i find it hard to believe that God would make a mistake by leaving something out that we all need to know. When he died on the cross he said it is finished. Its a done deal!
Wow. Are you planning to repeat that paragraph EVERY time you post?
Michael
Are you a prophet? It sounds like you are interpreting scripture. Are you doing this with the guidance of the Spirit or is it your own opinions? You are just a man, as well.
Michael, all you’re doing is raising issues and questions that have all been thoroughly dealt with before. Whenever we try to offer you or refer you to the answers, you refuse to look at them.
You also keep posting the same things, verbatim. Your #60 is a repeat of #58 and your #52 is a repeat of #26.
So, if all you’re going to do is refuse to listen and repeat yourself, why is there any point in our trying to communicate iwth you?
God had a plan and his plan is perfect and complete in Jesus Christ.
No comment
Michael: I, too, believe that God had—and still does have—a plan, and that his plan is perfect and complete in Jesus Christ. For that reason, I don’t reject the words of Jesus Christ when they come through ancient prophets or modern prophets.
The perfection of God’s plan is so marvelous that he continues to communicate it to his children even now. He does so through ancient scripture and through modern revelation. His voice is heard now. That doesn’t mean he made a mistake. It does mean that even though mankind makes a lot of mistakes, he still condescends to reach out to us.
You say there are conflicts between the Book of Mormon and the Bible but you say that without ever taking a look at the Book of Mormon. You’re just taking someone else’s word for it—someone mortal and fallible.
You say, in comment 43, that we must trust “spiritual voices” that come from God. Yet you refuse to try to do that very thing when it comes to the Book of Mormon.
You say we must put biased feelings aside (see comment 49). Do that. Put those biases aside, stop parroting what someone else tells you about the Book of Mormon, and put it to the test yourself.
modern prophets? I’d say be careful what you take in as truth. In the area of direction real carefully. Anybody can jump up a say (thus sayth the lord). Most
prophecy I’ve heard that came through people in modern times wasn’t real clear and you just had to wait to see if it came to pass. or just dis it completely.
then there are some under the spirit of witchcraft trying to control.
Satan trys to make himself look like a angel of light and he as we all know is very good at lieing and deception, that is his game.
so i trust Jesus he is my foundation and my safe place and i love him and thank him so much for what he has done for me. I have seen prayers answered that were called impossible. But we know nothing is impossible for him. I am so amazed with the workings of his hands. I look within myself and see the miracle. God has made a flesh working machine that i live within. Wow! Everything had a design he is wonderful and all mighty God!!! All loving and knowing. To think that he would want to be my best buddy,big brother,friend, lover of my soul,provider,healer and all else that i would need. He is God and would never leave me or forsake me no matter what the situation looked like. So i know for me it doesn’t matter what i call myself, christian, baptist, mormon it doesn’t matter. I am a believer in god’s only son Jesus! You guys have just camped out on this mormon thing and i’m sure thats cool with God. He meets us where were at loving and trying to guide us and he waits. Good Bless you all.
Something is coming, its like a balloon thats about to burst.
“Satan trys to make himself look like a angel of light and he as we all know is very good at lieing and deception, that is his game.”
This is where the spirit of discernment comes in. We know the fruits of the spirit and can tell if it is Satan or not.
test all things and hold fast to whats good.
Michael
That’s exactly what discernment is. It is easy to miss it if you don’t know what you are looking for, but if you are already close to the spirit and have the companionship of the Holy Ghost as well as study your scriptures and pray regularly and know what you are looking for, you don’t have to be worried about hearing false voices. You know truth. If you have spent as long as I have (and as long as many others have) striving to understand, know the difference, you can understand what is truth. Like I said, by their fruits you know them.
I am not perfect, I just have learned to recognise what the Spirit is telling me, and to listen to it. And most times I succeed. But what the Lord expects for us is to keep trying. That’s what repentance and learning is all about.
If you know the fruits of the spirit you are unlikely to go seriously, wrong. Surely you know that.
Yes, pretty much. Galatians 5:22-23.
Micheal Elzy: I believe you are geniune and sincere. However in order to be taken seriously you really do need to study the Book of Mormon carefully before you should take on the task of comparing it to Bible. Unfortunately it is evident that you have not. It’s difficult to engage in this discussion when you mention teachings in the Book of Mormon that do not exist.
As for tithing, while the NT is pretty specific about permanently abandoning the laws regarding pork, animal sacrifice, circumcision and the “eye for an eye” law I see nothing that permanently bans a tithing percentage in the KJV bible.
God may very well have provided the entire gospel in biblical times, just as the scripture says. However, considering the early history of the compilation and publication of the Bible, it’s well know among biblical scholars that many of the original manuscripts are not included and translations into English have varied, along with almost 2000 years of handling and corruption by man.
God does not make mistakes, but man does. God provides and preserves the written information according to mankind’s willingness to listen. So while we believe in the biblical teachings, we see no need to conclude that the Bible, as it is published today, can be the only possible source of God’s word.
Reinforcing gospel principals is very different than “adding on” to gospel principals. And why wouldn’t God reinforce gospel principles if some of the original prophet’s teachings had been lost some time along the way? And if this is the case, it wouldn’t be adding on to God’s teachings at all, but rather simply replacing teachings which have been lost.
I also see no reason why God would not have communicated with other civilizations than those in the Biblical geographical regions. In fact it may be possible He communicated with other nations that we have no record of at this time. To claim this is impossible is rather presumptious about the activities of God.
Meanwhile, having read and studied both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, and taking into account the context and meaning of what the prophets are actually saying, I see no contradictions, only a reinforcement of who Jesus was and what he taught. Unless you become truly familiar with the entire Book of Mormon, we really can’t take this discussion much further. Until then, I wish you well.
Mormonism contradicts God’s word. God’s word affirms its sufficiency, the Book of Mormon denies the completeness of the Bible (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; I Nephi 13: 24-32). The Book of Mormon teaches God has flesh and blood, the Bible denies this (Ether 3: 8, 9; I Cor. 15: 50, Jn. 4: 24). The Book of Mormon says that Jesus is the Father, the Bible teaches they are separate entities (Ether 3: 14; 2 Cor. 13: 14, Eph. 4: 4-6). The Bible says Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, the Book of Mormon says Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Matt. 2: 1; Alma 7: 10).
take the time to read everything posted here. You still speak your opinions. I have posted proof and you close your eyes .
Michael, you just did it again. Please stop re-posting things you’ve already posted, verbatim. There are already answers to every point you’ve raised (or rather, to every point you’ve copied and pasted). As long as you refuse even to look at those answers, there’s still no point in conversing.
This is not conversing, ltbugaf.
This is the online equivalent of picketing and yelling at bypassers.
The light will always shine through the darkness no matter what you do or say. You have been exposed.
Michael’s starting to sound like Bill…
Not sure I know exactly what #83 means. Confirmed that Michael is the same person as Bill and George?
…I don’t really think Michael is the same as George/Bill, but the whole bit about telling people how evil they are just seemed so familiar. :(
Hey Michael, you wrote:
>Satan trys to make himself look like a angel of light and he as we all know is very good at lieing and deception, that is his game.
I agree. We also know that Satan does not fight against himself, for “And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Christ used this to explain that by casting out evil spirits he could NOT be using Satan’s power.)
When Joseph Smith saw the First Vision, he says this happened:
* He prayed to ask which church to join
* During that prayer he was overcome by darkness, it shut his mouth so that he could not take and he almost gave up in despair
* A light descended and immediately the darkness disappeared and he was freed
* In the light he saw two personages who identified themselves as God the Father and Jesus the Christ
So if Satan was in the light and deceived Joseph Smith, was God in the darkness?
Joseph Smith, Jr. was born Dec. 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. As a youth, he gained a bad reputation at an early age. It is said that, “His word was received with the least confidence by those who knew him best. He could utter the most palpable exaggeration or marvelous absurdity with the utmost apparent gravity.”v Such accusations are obviously not appreciated in Mormon circles, but they have never been refuted by non-Mormon contemporaries.vi
Also we should consider a statement signed by 62 residents of Palmyra, NY, were the Smith family lived for some time: “We the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a number of years, while they resided near this place. We have no hesitation in saying that we consider them destitute of that moral character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects; spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth, and a large excavation may be seen in the earth not far from their residence where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Sr., and his son, Joseph, were in particular considered entirely destitute of moral character and addicted to vicious habits.”vii
This statement “cannot be impeached by any honest historian – and it certainly has never been disproved by any Mormons as attested by history.”viii “Howe was a contemporary of Smith and did the most thorough job of research on the Mormon prophet and his religion; his work is today considered prima face evidence of the highest veracity.”ix
Smith’s father also claimed to receive visions and his mother displayed an interest in the occult and could be called a psychic.x With such parents it is not surprising that Smith’s youth could be summed up by his principal biographer as that of “a likable ne’er-do-well who was notorious for tall tales and necromantic arts and who spent his leisure leading a band of idlers in digging for buried treasure.”xi “Was it not inevitable that with such a background plus a highly imaginative disposition of his own, fanned by religious fanaticism which was rampant around Palmyra, New York, where his family now lived, that Joseph Smith would, in 1820, have his first vision?”xii
The Book of Mormon versus The Word of God. Mormons respect the authority of the Bible “as far as translated correctly.” This is a convenient loophole to avoid Biblical teaching. The Mormon apostle Orson Pratt said, “What shall we say then, concerning the Bible being a sufficient guide? Can we rely upon it in its present corrupted state, as being a faithful record of God’s word? We all know that but a few inspired writings have descended to our times… Who knows that even one verse of the whole Bible has escaped pollution, so as to convey the same sense now that it did in the original.”xiii
Despite Mormon assertions to the contrary, the New Testament of Jesus Christ is absolute, complete and final. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into ALL the truth” (John 16:13). Truth was fully revealed in the first century (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Thus, the gospel is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). The Faith was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). That leaves no room for the Book of Mormon. Furthermore, since God has given to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” then the Book of Mormon can only contain that which pertains to death and ungodliness (2 Peter 1:3). Not only is the Book of Mormon superfluous, it stands condemned as another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Man is not permitted to add to or diminish ought from the word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19).
Discrepancies In The Book Of Mormon. A fundamental principle of truth is that it does not contradict itself. Yet the Book of Mormon repeatedly contradicts the Bible. Notice some of the outlandish statements found in their “inspired” books:
The Book of Mormon, supposedly written approximately 400 B.C., is filled with direct plagiarisms of the KJV, which was not translated from the Greek until over 1000 years later. For example compare 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 with Moroni 7:45-46. Shakespeare is also quoted. Compare Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 with 2 Nephi 1:14. Why would the Book of Mormon contain such quotations in Elizabethan English? Is it prophecy or plagiarism? I affirm the latter.
There are great differences between the original versions and the modern Book of Mormon. Although Joseph Smith claimed divine guidance in translating the golden tablets, there have been more than 3,900 changes in the Book of Mormon since the 1830 edition. Is the process of inspiration so full of mistakes? (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-8 ; Luke 2:4), but the Book of Mormon says he was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10).
The Bible teaches baptism for remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), but the Doctrine and Covenants teaches remission of sins before baptism (D&C 20:37). Interestingly, Mormons contradict themselves on this point (3 Nephi 12:2).
ltbugaf said: Not sure I know exactly what #83 means. Confirmed that Michael is the same person as Bill and George?
Are you ever going to get tired of trying to insult me?
So which is your view, Michael:
(i) Joseph Smith lied about the First Vision or
(ii) the vision occurred but he was deceived by Satan?
Michael. I notice that your post is an apparent copy from this site:
http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR135.htm
You should always give credit to the source of material. By failing to give credit, you make a claim that you are the author, when you are not. That’s plagiarism.
It’s bad form and dishonest in any conversation, but isn’t it especially deceitful when one does so to make a religious point?
One thing that I have learned is to not take another’s word for anything unless they can back it up. I dont know how anyone can justify putting this Law ( the tithe) on another. Its putting yourself under the law and the law saved no one. In christ Jesus the law has no hold on anyone, the law is dead As is the tithe.
I no longer call myself a christian Because most Christian leaders have given Jesus a bad name and dont teach the whole truth. They have decided to serve $$$. Jesus said to feed my sheep and i didn’t hear him say to fleese them. Love God and love your neighbor and give from your heart not meaning just money.
I now call myself a believer.
Believe in the lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Now thats good news!
What i posted above is from another site and are not my words but agree with it 100%. I think the questions you are asking you have already made up your mind on.
One thing that I have learned is to not take another’s word for anything unless they can back it up. I dont know how anyone can justify putting this Law ( the tithe) on another. Its putting yourself under the law and the law saved no one. In christ Jesus the law has no hold on anyone, the law is dead As is the tithe.
I no longer call myself a christian Because most Christian leaders have given Jesus a bad name and dont teach the whole truth. They have decided to serve $$$. Jesus said to feed my sheep and i didn’t hear him say to fleese them. Love God and love your neighbor and give from your heart not meaning just money.
I now call myself a believer.
Believe in the lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Now thats good news!
Joseph Smith, Jr. was born Dec. 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. As a youth, he gained a bad reputation at an early age. It is said that, “His word was received with the least confidence by those who knew him best. He could utter the most palpable exaggeration or marvelous absurdity with the utmost apparent gravity.â€v Such accusations are obviously not appreciated in Mormon circles, but they have never been refuted by non-Mormon contemporaries.vi
Also we should consider a statement signed by 62 residents of Palmyra, NY, were the Smith family lived for some time: “We the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a number of years, while they resided near this place. We have no hesitation in saying that we consider them destitute of that moral character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects; spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth, and a large excavation may be seen in the earth not far from their residence where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Sr., and his son, Joseph, were in particular considered entirely destitute of moral character and addicted to vicious habits.â€vii
This statement “cannot be impeached by any honest historian – and it certainly has never been disproved by any Mormons as attested by history.â€viii “Howe was a contemporary of Smith and did the most thorough job of research on the Mormon prophet and his religion; his work is today considered prima face evidence of the highest veracity.â€ix
Smith’s father also claimed to receive visions and his mother displayed an interest in the occult and could be called a psychic.x With such parents it is not surprising that Smith’s youth could be summed up by his principal biographer as that of “a likable ne’er-do-well who was notorious for tall tales and necromantic arts and who spent his leisure leading a band of idlers in digging for buried treasure.â€xi “Was it not inevitable that with such a background plus a highly imaginative disposition of his own, fanned by religious fanaticism which was rampant around Palmyra, New York, where his family now lived, that Joseph Smith would, in 1820, have his first vision?â€xii
The Book of Mormon versus The Word of God. Mormons respect the authority of the Bible “as far as translated correctly.†This is a convenient loophole to avoid Biblical teaching. The Mormon apostle Orson Pratt said, “What shall we say then, concerning the Bible being a sufficient guide? Can we rely upon it in its present corrupted state, as being a faithful record of God’s word? We all know that but a few inspired writings have descended to our times… Who knows that even one verse of the whole Bible has escaped pollution, so as to convey the same sense now that it did in the original.â€xiii
Despite Mormon assertions to the contrary, the New Testament of Jesus Christ is absolute, complete and final. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into ALL the truth†(John 16:13). Truth was fully revealed in the first century (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Thus, the gospel is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). The Faith was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). That leaves no room for the Book of Mormon. Furthermore, since God has given to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,†then the Book of Mormon can only contain that which pertains to death and ungodliness (2 Peter 1:3). Not only is the Book of Mormon superfluous, it stands condemned as another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Man is not permitted to add to or diminish ought from the word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19).
Discrepancies In The Book Of Mormon. A fundamental principle of truth is that it does not contradict itself. Yet the Book of Mormon repeatedly contradicts the Bible. Notice some of the outlandish statements found in their “inspired†books:
The Book of Mormon, supposedly written approximately 400 B.C., is filled with direct plagiarisms of the KJV, which was not translated from the Greek until over 1000 years later. For example compare 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 with Moroni 7:45-46. Shakespeare is also quoted. Compare Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 with 2 Nephi 1:14. Why would the Book of Mormon contain such quotations in Elizabethan English? Is it prophecy or plagiarism? I affirm the latter.
There are great differences between the original versions and the modern Book of Mormon. Although Joseph Smith claimed divine guidance in translating the golden tablets, there have been more than 3,900 changes in the Book of Mormon since the 1830 edition. Is the process of inspiration so full of mistakes? (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-8 ; Luke 2:4), but the Book of Mormon says he was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10).
The Bible teaches baptism for remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), but the Doctrine and Covenants teaches remission of sins before baptism (D&C 20:37). Interestingly, Mormons contradict themselves on this point (3 Nephi 12:2).
i am finished here god bless
You posted a lengthy reply. I did not see that you credited the source, yet you claim that you did.
Where?
Which is your view on the First Vision, Michael:
(i) Joseph Smith lied about the First Vision or
(ii) the vision occurred but he was deceived by Satan?
Your heart isn’t into truth. What i post i believe 100% no where did i claim it as my writings. stop judging me. the evil is in your own heart and the cult you follow.
fearless leader
Joseph Smith, Jr. was born Dec. 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. As a youth, he gained a bad reputation at an early age. It is said that, “His word was received with the least confidence by those who knew him best. He could utter the most palpable exaggeration or marvelous absurdity with the utmost apparent gravity.â€v Such accusations are obviously not appreciated in Mormon circles, but they have never been refuted by non-Mormon contemporaries.vi
Also we should consider a statement signed by 62 residents of Palmyra, NY, were the Smith family lived for some time: “We the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a number of years, while they resided near this place. We have no hesitation in saying that we consider them destitute of that moral character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects; spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth, and a large excavation may be seen in the earth not far from their residence where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Sr., and his son, Joseph, were in particular considered entirely destitute of moral character and addicted to vicious habits.â€vii
This statement “cannot be impeached by any honest historian – and it certainly has never been disproved by any Mormons as attested by history.â€viii “Howe was a contemporary of Smith and did the most thorough job of research on the Mormon prophet and his religion; his work is today considered prima face evidence of the highest veracity.â€ix
Smith’s father also claimed to receive visions and his mother displayed an interest in the occult and could be called a psychic.x With such parents it is not surprising that Smith’s youth could be summed up by his principal biographer as that of “a likable ne’er-do-well who was notorious for tall tales and necromantic arts and who spent his leisure leading a band of idlers in digging for buried treasure.â€xi “Was it not inevitable that with such a background plus a highly imaginative disposition of his own, fanned by religious fanaticism which was rampant around Palmyra, New York, where his family now lived, that Joseph Smith would, in 1820, have his first vision?â€xii
The Book of Mormon versus The Word of God. Mormons respect the authority of the Bible “as far as translated correctly.†This is a convenient loophole to avoid Biblical teaching. The Mormon apostle Orson Pratt said, “What shall we say then, concerning the Bible being a sufficient guide? Can we rely upon it in its present corrupted state, as being a faithful record of God’s word? We all know that but a few inspired writings have descended to our times… Who knows that even one verse of the whole Bible has escaped pollution, so as to convey the same sense now that it did in the original.â€xiii
Despite Mormon assertions to the contrary, the New Testament of Jesus Christ is absolute, complete and final. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into ALL the truth†(John 16:13). Truth was fully revealed in the first century (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Thus, the gospel is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). The Faith was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). That leaves no room for the Book of Mormon. Furthermore, since God has given to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,†then the Book of Mormon can only contain that which pertains to death and ungodliness (2 Peter 1:3). Not only is the Book of Mormon superfluous, it stands condemned as another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Man is not permitted to add to or diminish ought from the word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19).
Discrepancies In The Book Of Mormon. A fundamental principle of truth is that it does not contradict itself. Yet the Book of Mormon repeatedly contradicts the Bible. Notice some of the outlandish statements found in their “inspired†books:
The Book of Mormon, supposedly written approximately 400 B.C., is filled with direct plagiarisms of the KJV, which was not translated from the Greek until over 1000 years later. For example compare 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 with Moroni 7:45-46. Shakespeare is also quoted. Compare Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 with 2 Nephi 1:14. Why would the Book of Mormon contain such quotations in Elizabethan English? Is it prophecy or plagiarism? I affirm the latter.
There are great differences between the original versions and the modern Book of Mormon. Although Joseph Smith claimed divine guidance in translating the golden tablets, there have been more than 3,900 changes in the Book of Mormon since the 1830 edition. Is the process of inspiration so full of mistakes? (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-8 ; Luke 2:4), but the Book of Mormon says he was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10).
The Bible teaches baptism for remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), but the Doctrine and Covenants teaches remission of sins before baptism (D&C 20:37). Interestingly, Mormons contradict themselves on this point (3 Nephi 12:2).
Do you believe that plagiarism is honest?
If someone wanted to learn more about these beliefs of Michael Elzey where would they turn to since Michael Elzey claims he does not belong to any church? Is this a religion that only belongs to Michael Elzey or has he copied someone else’s and claimed it to be his own?
Does Michael Elzey claim to be a Prophet?