|
|
| Zeile 66: |
Zeile 66: |
| | | | |
| | ===Gedrucktes Material=== | | ===Gedrucktes Material=== |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | <!-- [A]ny man who says he is a teacher or preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and by this key false teacher and impostors may be detected" (Teachings, p. 269).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the First Vision Jesus Christ was introduced by God the Father as his "Beloved Son" (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). God the Father was, in essence, witnessing that Jesus Christ was his Only Begotten Son just as he had done when Jesus "came in the flesh" and was baptized (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11). In a subsequent appearance Jesus identified himself as "the first and the last...he who liveth...he who was slain" (D&C 110:4). Jesus Christ was testifying that he was the same person who lived in the Holy Land and crucified for our sins. He confirmed that he indeed came "in the flesh" to accomplish the atonement.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The angel Moroni who appeared to Joseph Smith also confirmed that "Jesus Christ was come in the flesh" by quoting Old and New Testament scriptures which were fulfilled with his coming (Joseph Smith—History 1:40). He also stated that his (Moroni's) purpose was to reveal a book "giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent" and containing the "everlasting Gospel...as delivered by the Savior" following his mortal ministry. The stated purpose of the Book of Mormon is in fact to convince both "Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ" (title page); as such, it is subtitled Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints believe it to be a second witness, after the Bible, of Jesus Christ's divine mission. If Moroni were Satan or one of Satan's ministers acting as an instrument of evil, he surely would not have done so much to convince mankind to believe in Christ; it goes counter to Satan's purpose (Matthew 12:25).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the Book of Mormon, Jacob told us:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord." (2 Nephi 9:5–6.)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Jacob's brother Nephi taught:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, harken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye — for Christ will show unto you with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness." (2 Nephi 33:10–11)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The Book of Mormon also contains an account of Christ's visit to those upon this continent wherein he allows them to "feel the prints of the nails" in his flesh (3 Nephi 11:14) that they might understand that he died for them also. Thus Moroni and the book which he brought, both testify that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and was come in the flesh "manifesting himself unto all nations" (title page; 1 Nephi 10:4–11; 11:18–21, 27–33; 15:13; Mosiah 7:27; 15:1–2; Ether 3:6, 9, 16–17; Moroni 9:25).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | None of the messengers which appeared to Joseph Smith ever denied that Jesus Christ was the Messiah come in the flesh (D&C 13:1; 18:11–12; 19:16–19; 20:1; 110:4) and all had a "testimony of Jesus." Paul gave us a final key to detection of false messengers; he said that their "end shall be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:15). If their works be evil or unrighteous we will know they are not from God. "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Conclusion
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Some have argued that Joseph Smith might have been deceived by Satan or been misled by his imagination but these objections fail an objective analysis using the scriptures as our standard of truth. The teachings of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the LDS Church affirm that Jesus is the Christ and that he "came in the flesh" as prophesied and affirmed in scripture. For Satan to inspire these latter-day truths goes counter to Christ's own teachings (Matthew 12:25–26; also Matthew 9:33–34; Mark 3:22–30; Luke 11:14–26; Jesus the Christ, pp. 265–266).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To believe that an uneducated farm boy could have imagined these things and convinced so many others of their veracity is difficult to justify especially in view of the testimonies of all those who were also intimately involved as eyewitnesses to many of these same events. Indeed, to deny these events took place as so many witnesses testified takes more faith than to accept their accounts as factual. Joseph Fielding McConkie pointed out:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Many a pretender to the prophetic office has claimed to entertain angels or to have spoken with God, but who other than Joseph Smith introduced his angels to others? Joseph Smith introduced Moroni to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. He was never alone when priesthood or keys were restored.... He and Sydney Rigdon received the revelation on the degrees of glory together. Together they saw legions of angels, along with the Father and the Son (see D&C 76:21–23). Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when John the Baptist came to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and when Peter, James, and John came to restore the Melchizedek Priesthood. Oliver was also with Joseph Smith when Christ came to accept the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, and Moses, Elias, and Elijah restored their keys, powers, and authorities." [1]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Endnotes
| |
| − |
| |
| − | 1. [back] Joseph Fielding McConkie, Sons and Daughters of God: The Loss and Restoration of Our Divine Inheritance (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1994), 194–195. ISBN 0884949362.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Further Reading
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | FAIR wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:FirstVisionWiki
| |
| − | First Vision wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * First Vision accounts (Summary and index page)
| |
| − | * Religious revivals in 1820
| |
| − | * Conflation of 1824-25 revival?
| |
| − | * Early Smith family history
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith did not know if God existed in 1823
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith joined other churches
| |
| − | * 1830 statement about seeing "God"
| |
| − | * First Vision fabricated to give "Godly authority"
| |
| − | * D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood?
| |
| − | * No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications?
| |
| − | * 1838 account modified to offset leadership crisis?
| |
| − | * First Vision story became more detailed and colorful after 1832?
| |
| − | * The "Angels" of the 1835 account
| |
| − | * Controversy Concerning D&C 121:28
| |
| − | * The Father: A Spirit vs. Embodied
| |
| − | * Lack of contemporary Father/Son vision until 1838?
| |
| − | * No mention in non-LDS literature before 1843?
| |
| − | * Seldom mentioned in LDS publications before 1877
| |
| − | o Longer version (timeline)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Claims about the 1832 First Vision account
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Only one Deity appears in the 1832 account
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention new dispensation
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention a revival
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't forbid joining a church
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention persecution
| |
| − | * Motivation in 1832 account is different
| |
| − | * Different age provided in the 1832 text
| |
| − | * Struggle with Satan not in the 1832 account
| |
| − | * 1832 says wicked will be destroyed but 1838 doesn't
| |
| − | * 1832 vision set in heaven or on earth?
| |
| − | * Eternal life regardless of church affiliation in 1832 text?
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Claims about other members and the First Vision
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * George Q. Cannon referred to "angels"
| |
| − | * Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35
| |
| − | * Orson Hyde referred to "angels"
| |
| − | * Andrew Jenson called personage an "angel"
| |
| − | * Heber C. Kimball denied the Father appeared
| |
| − | * Orson Pratt confused about "angel" or Father-Son
| |
| − | * Parley P. Pratt only said that "God" appeared
| |
| − | * George A. Smith said First Vision was an "angel"
| |
| − | * Lucy Mack Smith claimed "angel"?
| |
| − | * William Smith said First Vision was an "angel"?
| |
| − | * Orson Spencer said an "angel" was the first manifestation?
| |
| − | * John Taylor's understanding of the First Vision
| |
| − | * Wilford Woodruff spoke of an "angel"
| |
| − | * Brigham Young said the Lord didn't appear
| |
| − | * Brigham Young never mentioned the First Vision
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:JSOtherVisionWiki
| |
| − | Joseph Smith other visionary issues wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith's early conception of God
| |
| − | * Moroni as an angel of Satan
| |
| − | * Did Nephi or Moroni appear in 1823?
| |
| − | * Personages who appeared to Joseph Smith
| |
| − | * Swedenborg and three degrees of glory
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:Godwiki
| |
| − | God wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Corporeality of God
| |
| − | * Creatio ex nihilo
| |
| − | o Creation in Colossians 1:16
| |
| − | * Downplaying the King Follett discourse?
| |
| − | * Elohim and Jehovah
| |
| − | * Foreknowledge of God
| |
| − | * God is a Spirit
| |
| − | * Godhead and the Trinity
| |
| − | * Infinite regress of Gods?
| |
| − | * "No God beside me"
| |
| − | * No man has seen God
| |
| − | * Theosis/deification of man
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Retrieved from "http://www.fairwiki.org/index.php/Moroni_as_an_angel_of_Satan"
| |
| − | Views
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Article
| |
| − | * Discussion
| |
| − | * Edit
| |
| − | * History
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Personal tools
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Log in / create account
| |
| − |
| |
| − | FAIR Wiki
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Main Page
| |
| − | * Table of Contents
| |
| − | * Recent changes
| |
| − | * Support FAIR
| |
| − | * Random page
| |
| − | * Help
| |
| − |
| |
| − | FAIR Website
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * FAIR
| |
| − | * Topical Guide
| |
| − | * Support FAIR
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Search
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Toolbox
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * What links here
| |
| − | * Related changes
| |
| − | * Upload file
| |
| − | * Special pages
| |
| − | * Printable version
| |
| − | * Permanent link
| |
| − |
| |
| − | MediaWiki
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * This page was last modified 01:18, 29 November 2006.
| |
| − | * This page has been accessed 1,276 times.
| |
| − | * Privacy policy
| |
| − | Response
| |
| − |
| |
| − | This is certainly possible in LDS belief, since the Book of Mormon describes two instances where this occurred (2 Nephi 9:9; Alma 30:53). Joseph Smith also briefly described several incidents of this nature associated with the restoration (D&C 128:20; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 214 ). Nevertheless, it appears that Joseph became aware of this tactic early on and taught the members how to recognize this ruse (Teachings, pp. 202, 204, 214, 227; see also Bruce R McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:440–441).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The Bible also contains a test to enable us to judge or, as John says, to "try spirits whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). If Jesus Christ or Moroni or any of the other messengers who appeared to Joseph Smith failed this test we would know they were ministers of Satan.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | John states, "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:2–3). Joseph Smith likewise taught, "...if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness.... [A]ny man who says he is a teacher or preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and by this key false teacher and impostors may be detected" (Teachings, p. 269).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the First Vision Jesus Christ was introduced by God the Father as his "Beloved Son" (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). God the Father was, in essence, witnessing that Jesus Christ was his Only Begotten Son just as he had done when Jesus "came in the flesh" and was baptized (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11). In a subsequent appearance Jesus identified himself as "the first and the last...he who liveth...he who was slain" (D&C 110:4). Jesus Christ was testifying that he was the same person who lived in the Holy Land and crucified for our sins. He confirmed that he indeed came "in the flesh" to accomplish the atonement.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The angel Moroni who appeared to Joseph Smith also confirmed that "Jesus Christ was come in the flesh" by quoting Old and New Testament scriptures which were fulfilled with his coming (Joseph Smith—History 1:40). He also stated that his (Moroni's) purpose was to reveal a book "giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent" and containing the "everlasting Gospel...as delivered by the Savior" following his mortal ministry. The stated purpose of the Book of Mormon is in fact to convince both "Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ" (title page); as such, it is subtitled Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints believe it to be a second witness, after the Bible, of Jesus Christ's divine mission. If Moroni were Satan or one of Satan's ministers acting as an instrument of evil, he surely would not have done so much to convince mankind to believe in Christ; it goes counter to Satan's purpose (Matthew 12:25).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the Book of Mormon, Jacob told us:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord." (2 Nephi 9:5–6.)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Jacob's brother Nephi taught:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, harken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye — for Christ will show unto you with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness." (2 Nephi 33:10–11)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The Book of Mormon also contains an account of Christ's visit to those upon this continent wherein he allows them to "feel the prints of the nails" in his flesh (3 Nephi 11:14) that they might understand that he died for them also. Thus Moroni and the book which he brought, both testify that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and was come in the flesh "manifesting himself unto all nations" (title page; 1 Nephi 10:4–11; 11:18–21, 27–33; 15:13; Mosiah 7:27; 15:1–2; Ether 3:6, 9, 16–17; Moroni 9:25).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | None of the messengers which appeared to Joseph Smith ever denied that Jesus Christ was the Messiah come in the flesh (D&C 13:1; 18:11–12; 19:16–19; 20:1; 110:4) and all had a "testimony of Jesus." Paul gave us a final key to detection of false messengers; he said that their "end shall be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:15). If their works be evil or unrighteous we will know they are not from God. "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Conclusion
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Some have argued that Joseph Smith might have been deceived by Satan or been misled by his imagination but these objections fail an objective analysis using the scriptures as our standard of truth. The teachings of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the LDS Church affirm that Jesus is the Christ and that he "came in the flesh" as prophesied and affirmed in scripture. For Satan to inspire these latter-day truths goes counter to Christ's own teachings (Matthew 12:25–26; also Matthew 9:33–34; Mark 3:22–30; Luke 11:14–26; Jesus the Christ, pp. 265–266).
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To believe that an uneducated farm boy could have imagined these things and convinced so many others of their veracity is difficult to justify especially in view of the testimonies of all those who were also intimately involved as eyewitnesses to many of these same events. Indeed, to deny these events took place as so many witnesses testified takes more faith than to accept their accounts as factual. Joseph Fielding McConkie pointed out:
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Many a pretender to the prophetic office has claimed to entertain angels or to have spoken with God, but who other than Joseph Smith introduced his angels to others? Joseph Smith introduced Moroni to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. He was never alone when priesthood or keys were restored.... He and Sydney Rigdon received the revelation on the degrees of glory together. Together they saw legions of angels, along with the Father and the Son (see D&C 76:21–23). Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when John the Baptist came to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and when Peter, James, and John came to restore the Melchizedek Priesthood. Oliver was also with Joseph Smith when Christ came to accept the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, and Moses, Elias, and Elijah restored their keys, powers, and authorities." [1]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Endnotes
| |
| − |
| |
| − | 1. [back] Joseph Fielding McConkie, Sons and Daughters of God: The Loss and Restoration of Our Divine Inheritance (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1994), 194–195. ISBN 0884949362.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | Further Reading
| |
| − | [edit]
| |
| − | FAIR wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:FirstVisionWiki
| |
| − | First Vision wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * First Vision accounts (Summary and index page)
| |
| − | * Religious revivals in 1820
| |
| − | * Conflation of 1824-25 revival?
| |
| − | * Early Smith family history
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith did not know if God existed in 1823
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith joined other churches
| |
| − | * 1830 statement about seeing "God"
| |
| − | * First Vision fabricated to give "Godly authority"
| |
| − | * D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood?
| |
| − | * No reference to First Vision in 1830s publications?
| |
| − | * 1838 account modified to offset leadership crisis?
| |
| − | * First Vision story became more detailed and colorful after 1832?
| |
| − | * The "Angels" of the 1835 account
| |
| − | * Controversy Concerning D&C 121:28
| |
| − | * The Father: A Spirit vs. Embodied
| |
| − | * Lack of contemporary Father/Son vision until 1838?
| |
| − | * No mention in non-LDS literature before 1843?
| |
| − | * Seldom mentioned in LDS publications before 1877
| |
| − | o Longer version (timeline)
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Claims about the 1832 First Vision account
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Only one Deity appears in the 1832 account
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention new dispensation
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention a revival
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't forbid joining a church
| |
| − | * 1832 account doesn't mention persecution
| |
| − | * Motivation in 1832 account is different
| |
| − | * Different age provided in the 1832 text
| |
| − | * Struggle with Satan not in the 1832 account
| |
| − | * 1832 says wicked will be destroyed but 1838 doesn't
| |
| − | * 1832 vision set in heaven or on earth?
| |
| − | * Eternal life regardless of church affiliation in 1832 text?
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Claims about other members and the First Vision
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * George Q. Cannon referred to "angels"
| |
| − | * Oliver Cowdery not aware of First Vision in 1834-35
| |
| − | * Orson Hyde referred to "angels"
| |
| − | * Andrew Jenson called personage an "angel"
| |
| − | * Heber C. Kimball denied the Father appeared
| |
| − | * Orson Pratt confused about "angel" or Father-Son
| |
| − | * Parley P. Pratt only said that "God" appeared
| |
| − | * George A. Smith said First Vision was an "angel"
| |
| − | * Lucy Mack Smith claimed "angel"?
| |
| − | * William Smith said First Vision was an "angel"?
| |
| − | * Orson Spencer said an "angel" was the first manifestation?
| |
| − | * John Taylor's understanding of the First Vision
| |
| − | * Wilford Woodruff spoke of an "angel"
| |
| − | * Brigham Young said the Lord didn't appear
| |
| − | * Brigham Young never mentioned the First Vision
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:JSOtherVisionWiki
| |
| − | Joseph Smith other visionary issues wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Joseph Smith's early conception of God
| |
| − | * Moroni as an angel of Satan
| |
| − | * Did Nephi or Moroni appear in 1823?
| |
| − | * Personages who appeared to Joseph Smith
| |
| − | * Swedenborg and three degrees of glory
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Template:Godwiki
| |
| − | God wiki articles
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Corporeality of God
| |
| − | * Creatio ex nihilo
| |
| − | o Creation in Colossians 1:16
| |
| − | * Downplaying the King Follett discourse?
| |
| − | * Elohim and Jehovah
| |
| − | * Foreknowledge of God
| |
| − | * God is a Spirit
| |
| − | * Godhead and the Trinity
| |
| − | * Infinite regress of Gods?
| |
| − | * "No God beside me"
| |
| − | * No man has seen God
| |
| − | * Theosis/deification of man
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Retrieved from "http://www.fairwiki.org/index.php/Moroni_as_an_angel_of_Satan"
| |
| − | Views
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Article
| |
| − | * Discussion
| |
| − | * Edit
| |
| − | * History
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Personal tools
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Log in / create account
| |
| − |
| |
| − | FAIR Wiki
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Main Page
| |
| − | * Table of Contents
| |
| − | * Recent changes
| |
| − | * Support FAIR
| |
| − | * Random page
| |
| − | * Help
| |
| − |
| |
| − | FAIR Website
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * FAIR
| |
| − | * Topical Guide
| |
| − | * Support FAIR
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Search
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Toolbox
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * What links here
| |
| − | * Related changes
| |
| − | * Upload file
| |
| − | * Special pages
| |
| − | * Printable version
| |
| − | * Permanent link
| |
| − |
| |
| − | MediaWiki
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * This page was last modified 01:18, 29 November 2006.
| |
| − | * This page has been accessed 1,276 times.
| |
| − | * Privacy policy -->
| |
Einige Kritiker beschuldigen Moroni, den auferstandenen Propheten, der Joseph Smith die Buch-Moron-Platten gab, in Wirklichkeit ein Engel des Teufels zu sein. Ihre Beschuldigung basiert auf zwei Passagen des Neuen Testaments.
Kritiker fragen: “Wenn Satan als Engel des Lichts erscheinen kann, hätte er doch Joseph Smith täuschen können, indem er behauptete, Jesus Christus oder Moroni oder irgendeiner der anderen Boten zu sein, die ihm erschienen sind.
Dies ist nach dem HLT-Glauben durchaus möglich, zumal das Buch Mormon zwei Umstände beschreibt, wo das vorkommt.([2 . Nephi 9:9]; [[1]]). Joseph Smith hat im Zusammenhang mit der Wiederherstellung ebenfalls zwei Zwischenfälle dieser Art geschildert.([LuB 128:20]; Lehren des Propheten Joseph Smith)] Nichtsdestoweniger ist Joseph anscheinend dieser Taktik früh gewahr geworden und lehrte seine Mitglieder, wie man diese List erkennen kann. (Teachings, pp. 202, 204, 214, 227; siehe auch Bruce R McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:440–441).
Die Bibel enthält auch einen Test, der uns ermöglicht zu entscheiden oder, wie Johannes sagt, uns zu inspirieren, ob es von Gott ist. Wenn Jesus Christus oder Moroni oder irgend ein anderer Bote, der Joseph Smith erschienen ist, den Test nicht besteht, würden wir wissen, es sind Diener Satans.
Joseph Smith lehrte gleichfalls, „...Wenn ich behaupte, ein Zeuge oder Lehrer zu sein und habe nicht den Geist der Prophezeiung, nämlich das Zeugnis Jesu, dann bin ich ein falscher Zeuge ... Ein Mann, der sagt, er wäre ein Lehrer und Prediger der Rechtschaffenheit und leugnet den Geist der Prophezeiung ist ein Lügner und die Wahrheit ist nicht in ihm und seine Irrlehre und Hochstapelei kann bemerkt werden.“
Bei der Ersten Vision wurde Jesus Christus von Gott dem Vater vorgestellt als der geliebte Sohn (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). Gott der Vater bezeugte im wesentlichen, dass Jesus Christus sein einzig gezeugter Sohn war, genau wie er es getan hatte, als Jesus im Fleisch kam und getauft wurde. (Matth. 3:17; Markus 1:11). In einer darauf folgenden Erscheinung bezeichnete Jesus sich selbst als „der erste und der letzte... der lebe... und der erschlagen wurde“ ([LuB 110:4]). Jesus bezeugte, dass er der Gleiche war, der im Heiligen Land lebte und für unsere Sünden gekreuzigt wurde. Er bestätigte, dass er tatsächlich im Fleische kam, um die Sühne zustandezubringen.
