“And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside by fables (2 Timothy 4:4).”
The church of Latter Day Saints, in an effort to be more transparent, recently released photos of a sacred stone called “the seer stone.” It is believed to have been used by their prophet Joseph Smith to translate what would become the Book of Mormon (BoM). According to Mormon doctrine, Smith received the revelation from an angel named Moroni 185 years ago. By those who esteem the BoM as divine, Smith is regarded as a prophet who restored the church with the aid of this very stone which we can all now see for ourselves.
On several occasions we have received fresh-faced “elders” into our home who are very earnest in sharing their faith. Without fail they ask us to pray to God to reveal if Joseph Smith is His prophet. We have gently expressed to them that this is not how God directed us to test a prophet or the truth.
In the Old Testament there were many who presumed to speak for God and He provided a test. “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken if presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:22).” If Smith is God’s prophet we merely need to inspect his words against the truth (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1).
In 1835, Smith prophesied that Jesus would return within 56 years (Matthew 24:23, 36). Smith also prophesied that in the Civil War the Confederacy would draw Great Britain and other nations into the conflict (Doctrines & Covenants 87:1-3). The Mormon “Seer” also spoke by “the word of the Lord” that their temple would be constructed in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri (Doctrines & Covenants 84:2-5). Genuine prophets speak only as the Lord directs them (1 Kings 22:14, 2 Peter 1:20-21) thus they are never wrong, not even once.
Worse still, Smith said that the BoM is the “most correct book of any on earth.” The cover of the book even states “ANOTHER Testament of Jesus Christ.” This particular claim puts Smith at odds with inspired Bible writers. Peter wrote that God had already “given us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).” If Peter is correct then Smith’s work is at best superfluous. If Smith is correct then the inspired Apostle is in error. Smith testified that he received new revelation from an angel. Paul wrote that even if the Apostles “or an angel from heaven, preach ANY OTHER gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8).” Jude wrote that Christians had received “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).” Why then should we trust ANOTHER testament, or covenant?
Tragically, Smith has mislead many of his faith for generations concerning the identity of Jesus Christ. Latter Day saints believe Jesus is literally the son of Elohim God. That is, they believe, He has a beginning in contrast to the teachings of the Bible that Jesus is eternal (Isaiah 9:6, Malachi 5:2, John 8:58).
Sadly, these dear people have been misled by a false prophet and this stone which is central to their faith. The true faith is also built upon a stone, and a right identification of who Jesus truly is, the eternal Son of God (Matthew 16:18). The rock upon which His church was built and endured through all generations (Ephesians 3:21) is based on this. God has long ceased to speak to men through various means and prophets and instead has given His revelation through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) who is the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20). Jesus is that “living stone chosen by God and precious (1 Peter 2:4).” Test these two stones and see for yourself.
“And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder (Matthew 21:44).”
-Billy Alexander