by lounger on March 23rd, 2007

lounger

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If someone came up to me and said they spoke to God I would want some kind of evidence. So why should I believe what Joseph Smith said since there isn't any evidence that he ever spoke to God? I am dead serious. If there is evidence please let me know.

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Answers. 15 helpful answers below.

  • by Glenn Blaylock on March 24th, 2007

    Glenn Blaylock

    Let me ask you this. How do you know that Moses spoke to God or Abraham or Isaac or Jacob? How do you know that Noah spoke to God or Samuel. Out side of the Bible I don't think that there is any evidence that any of these people even existed let alone spoke to God. How do you know that Jesus was the Son of God and not just the product of a sexual relationship between Mary and some guy. Again, all that we have is the Bible's word on this. What it all comes down to is a matter of faith. I see the evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that his successors are too. There was a question on here someplace asking if any of Joseph Smith's prophecies have come true. My brother's answer gave the following link (http://www.fairlds.org/The_God_Makers/tagm36.html) which lists a number that have happened. I gave some stories about prophecies by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimbal that came true. So, there is evidence if you are willing to accept it. However, it is still a matter of faith.

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  • by lounger on March 23rd, 2007

    lounger

    Let me clarify my question by saying this also: I wouldn't believe madam claire if she said she could talk to the dead without some kind of evidence, or proof. I wouldn't believe the car dealer if he said something remarkable about the car I was interested in. I would want to look it up; see proof; something to substantiate the claim!! Joseph Smith said a number of things that cannot be verified. Somethings he said are not even possible according to DNA.

    I look and search for truth by in part weeding out the false truths. If something contradicts it's self I am not going to believe in it. (Contradiction: X and ~X)
    If something is done in private I am likely to doubt it a LOT!!

    So what has Smith got over any other regular Joe in the world?

    I just don't get it. I personally would not believe the guy for a second.

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  • by John. on March 23rd, 2007

    John.

    I think the idea of "faith" is that you dont need evidence.

    This is a bit of a tired argument, I think people should let it die.


    (P.S not a mormon.)

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  • by xhepera on March 14th, 2009

    xhepera

    Why have you singled out the LDS for this question? Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to ask a general question of this nature of the religious at large? Or do you just have a hard on for Mormons?

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  • SHORT ANSWER: Since the LDS Church hasn't been able to produce any credible evidence since it was formed (albeit in an informal, primitive form) in 1827 or since the Book of Mormon was published in 1830 I wouldn't hold your breath.

    NOTE TO THE CRITICS OF THIS QUESTION:
    as ExMormon Ross Anderson so appropriately put it in his book, "Understanding the Book of Mormon":

    "A sincere inquirer should not be expected to ignore honest questions that bear on the Book of Mormon's credibility"

    I think that this is a perfectly valid question and I thank you for asking it.

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  • by Mephistopheles on March 15th, 2009

    Mephistopheles

    You shouldn't listen to anybody that's selling you anything. You should always, look, listen and search for yourself and based your opinion on what you find not on what someone else tells you

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  • by edndori on March 14th, 2009

    edndori

    There IS evidence.
    Don't take the man on his own word alone.
    Ask God.
    There are promises from him in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon that prayers will be answered, and that through the power of the Holy Ghost you can know the truth of all things.
    So if your seriously want to know, take God at his word as recorded in scripture and ASK him.

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  • by Law on March 15th, 2009

    Law

    there is plenty of evidence, including DNA evidence, supporting that what Joseph Smith claimed was untrue - however, there really is no way to prove or disprove someone talking to God.

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  • by laie_techie on March 15th, 2009

    laie_techie

    What evidence would you accept that couldn't be faked?

    BTW, I thought the very act of praying was speaking to God.

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  • by Lennette on May 23rd, 2010

    Lennette

    Because the evidence is in the Bible, and one must except the word of God as
    True based on faith, you have no evidence that the words of God spoke the earth, sun and Moon into existence, but in Genesis I, it said and God spoke and there was, these things, so we know that his words brought forth our very world. Now having faith, which is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11.1 then you realize that there is the existence of things not yet seen .which by faith become one's reality. Therefore we know that these prophets, who are true followers of God Heard from God, there are many different roads to salvation, yet they all must lead to God, whoever the messenger is; as long as the path that he follows is of God.

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  • by Moongrim on May 30th, 2009

    Moongrim

    What Mephisotopheles said.

    The 'Church" requires, no, DEMANDS- tithing.

    They're mostly after money.

    Read more about what I and other Ex-mormons have to say concerning Islam. Excuse me, Mormonism.

    http://www.exmormon.org/

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  • by Twisted Taco on February 8th, 2010

    Twisted Taco

    If someone came up to me and said they spoke to god, I would want to put as much physical distance between them and me as possible. Just in case...

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  • by ConservativelyLiberal on May 30th, 2009

    ConservativelyLiberal

    There isn't any. There isn't any for any religion. It's all faith based, because the originators understood that proof would never and can never be manufactured. The power of religion is the same as TV, politicians, and lawyers; make promises that no one can disprove.

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  • by TenLostTribes on February 8th, 2010

    TenLostTribes

    In the Church's new movie, Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith points out that he didn't blame anyone for not believing his story. In fact, he said if the things had happened to him that did happen he would not believe it himself. There is actually "evidence" of Joseph-Smith-being-a-prophet that you may not have even considered--the Book of Mormon. You must read the book and pray to know if it true, that is if you want to know. If it is true, then it was translated by the gift and power of God. If that's true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World.

    I'm sorry if this is not the answer that you're looking for but there's something you ought to realize. If you are converted by "proof" or physical "evidence," it will do you no good. The only way to know the truth for sure is to gain a witness for yourself from the Holy Ghost. I promise you that if you sincerely pray and intend to receive an answer then you will have a prompting. This is the only right way to know that it is true.

    I testify to you that the Book of Mormon is true and that it is another witness of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet of God and I am honored to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is the most correct book and it is a companion to the Holy Bible.

    This is Jeffrey R. Holland's testimony of Joseph Smith Jr. and the Book of Mormon--

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  • SHORT ANSWER:
    The Bible not only AGREES with your assertion that evidence is required to prove whether someone has spoken with God but also gives us the tests for determining if a so-called Prophet had actually heard from God in the following passages:

    Deu 13:1-11
    Deu 18:18-21
    Mat 7:15-20

    LONG ANSWER:
    The Bible requires that the following evidence be provided before one is to accept the premise that someone has spoken with God:

    Deuteronomy 13:1-11 (New International Version)
    1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

    6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.

    Deuteronomy 18:18-22 (New International Version)
    18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."

    21 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD ?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

    Matthew 7:15-20 (New International Version)
    15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

    HOW DOES JOSEPH SMITH COMPARE TO THE EVIDENCE TESTS REQUIRED BY THE BIBLE?
    The reasons why Joseph Smith is demonstrably a false prophet is a LONG topic but a cryptic list includes (but is not limited to) Joseph Smith's:
    .
    1) Numerous unfulfilled prophecies.
    (failing the test of Deu 18:18-22)
    http://www.ils.unc.edu/~unsworth/mormon/unfulfilledprophecies.html
    .
    2) Use of Occult practices like scrying and Shamanism.
    (failing the test in Deu 13:1-11)
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=79046&catid=3#79046
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=73023&catid=522
    .
    3) Incorporating Free Masonry into the LDS Temple ceremonies
    (it is rooted in Kabbalah which is occultic - thus failing the test in Deu 13:1-11)
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=69507&catid=522
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=72979&catid=522
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=72975&catid=522
    .
    4) Lied constantly - even habitually; committed adultery and then "lied for the Lord" denying it; and bore false witness against others.
    (thus failing the test of Matthew 7:15-20)

    The following portal pages for the embedded videos go into further detail on each of these points here's a link:
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=75164&catid=513
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&catid=513&id=75164#75164

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