*When Joseph Smith claims that the Church stayed with him, more so than Paul, Peter and Christ (who is the head of the Church) was he joking? I am not sure I understand why anyone would say this? Perhaps you could explain another way?
Well we could start a whole thread on the apostasy, there are tons of references in the New Testament by way of prophecy and the different apostles watching it happen. Jesus started teaching this strange doctrine about eating his flesh and many of his disciples no longer followed him, shortly afterwards they are yelling Crucify Him, Crucify Him.
While speaking to his apostles “privately” Jesus prophesied
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Strongs says the word ‘offended’ there means; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey
He was telling them about the apostasy and how many of the early church members would betray them and cause their deaths. “and shall betray one another” they would then turn on each other and send each other to the lions. All of the early Jewish members were martyred and the Church lost it’s founding members who knew the true Gospel
*What do think is the difference between Muhammed and Jospeh Smith (in terms of biblical criteria)?
*1 John 4 :2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
Mohammad denied the deity and atonement of Christ, at least he seems so it depends on how one translates some of the Quran
Joseph Smith reaffirmed the deity and atonement of Christ over and over again.
*Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Like Christians who accept the Trinity Islam teaches God is an immaterial substance, he is without gender and they both insist there is one God.
Joseph taught that Jesus is the Son of God the Father and the Father is a he and we are made in his actual image, he has a right hand. There are three personages who are separate but one in purpose and authority.
*Matthew 18:16
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mohammed had no witnesses to his visions while Joseph had 11 plus many more.
*Acts 2:37 ¶Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Like Born Again Christianity In Islam one need only to declare his faith by repeating a few words and bang you are saved. Here’s the little prayer which is in a pamphlet that was left on my son’s car.
Dear Lord, I know I’m a sinner; but I am sorry for my sins. I believe that the Lord died for me and rose again and with all my heart I turn from my sin and receive Him as my Savior right now. Thank you , Lord; for saving me! Amen.
Now the Muslim prayer is this;
"La ilaha illallah, Muhammadun rasulullah " This translates to "I testify that there is no other god but Allah, and Muhammad is God's messenger (prophet)."
They do ask you to read their scriptures, talk to an Imam, have a witness and then go take a shower.
In Mormonism we ask a little more, with fruits of repentance, a confession of faith and baptism by one having authority and then the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands.
*Rev 1
5 And from Jesus Christ, ….And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Like Born Again Christianity Mohammed claimed no priesthood.
Joseph claimed to have the priesthood passed down through the prophets and then given to him by Peter, James and John. Joseph healed many people using his priesthood, I don’t think there is any such claim with Mohammed.
*Mal 4: 5 ¶Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
See also 1 Peter 3 & 4 & 1 Cor 15
Like Born Again Christianity Mohammed has no concept of saving families and those that are dead.
Joseph said Elijah came to him and he taught that we can help save our ancestors by doing their baptisms by proxy.
* Eph 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine
*Islam claims that Mohammed was the last prophet, born again Christians claim there were none after the apostles died. To both God stopped talking to mankind.
Joseph claim there would be continuing revelation and set up a church that would have new prophets and apostles.
There are many difference between Joseph and Mohammed whose doctrines more closely resemble some “Christian” doctrines.
