A Christian Discipleship, Apologetics and Evangelism Ministry
Examining former President Gordon B. Hinckley Concerning Joseph Smith Testimony
“That becomes the hinge pin on which this whole cause turns. If the First Vision was true, if it actually happened, then the Book of Mormon is true. Then we have the priesthood. Then we have the Church organization and all of the other keys and blessings of authority which we say we have. If the First Vision did not occur, then we are involved in a great sham. It is just that simple.” (New York Rochester Missionary Meeting, July 12, 1996.) (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 227)
Gordon B. Hinckley is the former Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. (Mormon Church) In the above reference from Gordon B. Hinckley he states the following in so many words:
The foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints hinges on Joseph Smith’s First Vision, namely his testimony. If Joseph Smith’s testimony and First Vision is true then they have the priesthood. However if his testimony and First Vision is false then they don’t have the priesthood.
If Joseph Smith’s Testimony is true then the Book of Mormon is true. However if the First Vision of Joseph Smith is false then the Book of Mormon is false and those who are of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints are deceived and it is a great sham.
There are three main reasons why Prophet (President) Gordon B. Hinckley is a false prophet:
Joseph Smith could not have seen God the Father and Jesus Christ without the priesthood authority
Joseph Smith could not have actually received the priesthood authority according to Mormon Resources
Joseph Smith’s Testimony is a fulfillment of Matthew 7:15 & Galatians 1:6-9
Joseph Smith Did Not See The Father According To Doctrines & Covenants Section 84
The testimony of Joseph Smith in his “First Vision” is that he had a literal experience with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Here is what is stated from Joseph Smith’s History: “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me,” the Prophet also wrote “When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing to the other — This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right — and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: `they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.’ He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me.” (Joseph Smith History 1:16-20) According to this Joseph Smith claims to have literally seen and experienced God the Father and Jesus Christ. However, according to a so-called revelation that Joseph Smith received he states the following:
“20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. 21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; 22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” (Doctrines and Covenants 84:20-22)
From this Joseph Smith states that for a person to be able to see God and live a person must have the priesthood and the ordinances thereof. (Ordinance thereof means knowing the doctrines and commandments of God/ Joseph Smith did not know the ordinances thereof before his testimony experience) If a person does not have these two things then they will not be able to experience God being manifested in the flesh (being able to see God), and if they were to see God then according to D&C 84:22 they would die. Even a Mormon scholar agrees with this:
“In Section 84, verses 21 and 22, it is said that in order for one to see the face of God, and, therefore, to know him, the Priesthood is necessary.” (Doctrines and Covenants Speaks, Volume 1, Page 58, Roy Doxey)
According to Mormonism Joseph Smith did not actually receive the priesthood authority until 1829, nine years after his supposed experience with God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. If Joseph Smith did experience seeing God the Father as his testimony states then he would of died, plain and simple. Even a Mormon scholar affirms what Doctrines and Covenants 84:20-22 states about the necessity of having the priesthood authority. There are some who say people saw God in the Old Testament and rightly so, that is Biblical. The priesthood authority doctrine is not a Biblical doctrine and has no bearing on those in the Bible who have seen God. Mormons who say people saw God in the Old Testament all affirm according to what they believe that those people already had the priesthood authority, thus showing the affirmation of the priesthood being required. (According to Mormonism) Case and point, Joseph Smith did not have the priesthood according to Mormonism until 1829, thus proving Joseph Smith’s testimony being false. Another thing, if a person could see God without the priesthood authority and the ordinances thereof then what Joseph Smith wrote as revelation from God in D&C 84 is false, thus from another angle this would then be identifying him as a false prophet.
Joseph Smith Lineage Proves He Could Not Have The Priesthood Authority
According to the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith is from the tribe of Ephraim or the lineage of Ephraim.. Who is Ephraim according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?
“Ephraim was the son of Joseph and Asenath and the younger brother of Manasseh (Genesis 41:50-52)…The Book of Mormon records that Joseph of old “obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord” (2 Nephi 3:5). Further, a “choice seer” would arise from Joseph’s descendants who would “do a work for the fruit of [Joseph’s] loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I [the Lord] have made with thy fathers” (2 Nephi 3:7). Many Latter-day Saints believe that they are of the branch of Ephraim, of whom Joseph prophesied (2 Nephi 3:5-16; D&C 133:30-34) and that the Prophet Joseph Smith is the “choice seer” (3 Nephi 3:6)…In the last days, Ephraim’s descendants have the privilege and responsibility to bear the message of the restoration of the gospel to the world and to gather scattered Israel…For Latter-day Saints, identification of a person’s lineage in latter-day Covenant Israel is made under the hands of inspired Patriarchs through patriarchal blessings that declare lineage. Elder John A. Widtsoe, an Apostle, declared, “In giving a blessing the patriarch may declare our lineage-that is, that we are of Israel, therefore of the family of Abraham, and of a specific tribe of Jacob. In the great majority of cases, Latter-day Saints are of the tribe of Ephraim, the tribe to which has been committed the leadership of the Latter-day work.” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pages 461-462, 1992)
What does that have to do with Joseph Smith? Joseph Smith is said to be from the lineage of Ephraim and that is of the up-most importance. The following information will demonstrate that Joseph Smith could not of had the priesthood according to what the Mormon scholars have written, the Standard Works, and other Bible sources.
“45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah. And he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On, for his wife. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt…50 And two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine came, whom Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bore to him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh, saying, For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house. 52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim, saying, For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:45&50-52 KJV)
“Pharaoh’s claim to the priesthood was invalid, because he insisted with great force that it was the patriarchal priesthood of Noah, received through the line of Ham. (Abr. 1:25-27; above, pp. 133f.) His earthly rule was blessed (Abr. 1:26), but he could not, of course, claim patriarchal lineage through his mother.” (Hugh Nibley, Abraham In Egypt 1981, pages 188-189)
“Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh, who was half Egyptian. His mother was Asenath, who was of the blood of Ham, a pure Egyptian. She had to be-her father was a high priest of Heliopolis. [Lehi] was a descendant of Manasseh whose twin brother was Ephraim. We claim that we are descended from him. He was also a son of Asenath, the Egyptian woman.” (Hugh Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon – Semester 1: Transcripts of Lectures Presented to an Honors Book of Mormon Class at Brigham Young University, 1988-1990 Provo: Foundation for Ancient Re 309. vol. 2, p.309)
According to the Bible and Mormons scholarship Ephraim was born of an Egyptian woman named Asenath, who was from the lineage of Ham. According to Mormon Scripture (Book of Abraham 1:20-27, Pearl of Great Price) anyone who was from the lineage of Ham (Egyptians) was cursed as to not being able to have the priesthood authority.
The Book of Abraham 1:20-27 declares that all those who were in the lineage of Cain could not have the priesthood and spoke of those who were cursed through the lineage of Ham and his wife Egyptus. Those who could not hold the priesthood are Negroes, Egyptians, Ethiopians and all those who were from the lineage of Ham and Egyptus.
“20 Behold, Potiphar’s Hill was in the land of Ur, of Chaldea. And the Lord broke down the altar of Elkenah, and of the gods of the land, and utterly destroyed them, and smote the priest that he died; and there was great mourning in Chaldea, and also in the court of Pharaoh; which Pharaoh signifies king by royal blood. 21 Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. 22 From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land. 23 The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden; 24 When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. 25 Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal. 26 Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. 27 Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry;”
Hugh Nibley who is considered to be one of the most gifted scholars of the Latter-Day Saints, and he clearly proves that the information concerning Asenath being an Egyptian woman is accurate and is not anti-Mormon. This information proves Joseph Smith being from the lineage of Ephraim, who being from Asenath an Egyptian woman from the lineage of Ham, could of in no way had the priesthood authority as claimed of the Mormon Church. From the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies known as FARMS which is an institute of Brigham Young’s University for the Study and Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts states the following concerning Hugh Nibley: “One of the most gifted scholars in the LDS Church today. He graduated summa cum laude from UCLA and completed his Ph.D. as a University Fellow at UC Berkeley. He taught at Claremont College in California before serving in military intelligence in World War II. Since 1946 he has been associated with and taught at Brigham Young University.” (Hugh Nibley died at the age of 94, March 2, 2005)
More information refuting Joseph Smith being able to have the priesthood since he was of the lineage that could not receive it. Former Mormon prophet (10th President) Joseph Fielding Smith said the following concerning this topic: “If Abraham, Joseph, and Moses had married Negro wives their descendants would have been denied the priesthood according to the word of the Lord to Abraham. Had such a thing happened the Lord would not have called Israel as a chosen people, neither would he have chosen the Prophet Joseph Smith and given him the keys of authority for the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, as he was a descendant of Joseph and of Abraham.” (Smith, Joseph Fielding. Answers to Gospel Questions. vols. 1-4. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957-1966, page 169) There was a question to whether or not Abraham, Joseph, and Moses had married Negroes and this former Mormon prophet stated that if they had done this their descendants would of been denied the priesthood, and if that did happen then even Joseph Smith would of been denied the priesthood. Joseph Fielding Smith validates the facts by his comments concerning Joseph Smith because the Joseph in Genesis 41:45-52 did have an Egyptian wife and thus Joseph Smith did not have the keys of authority for the Dispensation of the Fullness of times because he was a descendant of Joseph.
Abraham and Moses according to the Bible married Negro women. Abraham had an Egyptian woman named Hagar as his concubine (secondary wife) and Moses had an Ethiopian woman for his wife.
“And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her slave woman, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife (after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan).” (Genesis 16:3 KJV)
“And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had taken. For he had taken a Cushite woman.” (Numbers 12:1 KJV)
“And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.” (Genesis 10:6 KJV)
Abraham married Hagar an Egyptian woman and Moses married a Cushite (Ethiopian, descendants from Ham), thus they would of been denied the priesthood authority according to Mormon theology before 1978 Mormon Theology changed after 1978 stating the priesthood authority was available to all people. However, the point has been shown that before 1978 Joseph Smith could not be a true prophet, and his testimony and priesthood are invalid.
Read our detailed article concerning Joseph Smith Priesthood and how according to Mormonism he could not of had the priesthood, thus being a false prophet.
Joseph Smith Testimony is a fulfillment of Matthew 7:15 & Galatians 1:6-9
“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me,” the Prophet also wrote “When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing to the other — This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right — and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: `they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.’ He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me.” (Joseph Smith History 1:16-20)
Again, this is the testimony of Joseph Smith in 1820. In this account Joseph Smith makes claims of what was told to him concerning truth and what others believe. In so many words Joseph Smith was told the following:
All Sects/Denominations/Religious Groups are false
All people are corrupt, teach commandments of men
Join none of the Sects that were known then
Looking back in history the Sects that would of been during that age are the same main Sects today. Essentially this is still considered as true today for the Mormon Church though they may not state this to you. In fact consider the following Mormon resources that confirm this.
“And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually.” (DOCTRINES AND COVENANTS 1:30)
“The position that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true Church upon the face of the earth is fundamental…. Now to those who think us uncharitable, we say that it was not devised by us; it was declared by Him, for he gave commandments to the early brethren, and I quote: [D&C 1:30 quoted.]” (COMPANION TO YOUR STUDY OF DOCTRINES AND COVENANTS, DANIEL H. LUDLOW, VOLUME 1, PART 2, SECTION 1)
“9 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the mother of abominations, whose founder is the devil. 10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.” (BOOK OF MORMON, 1 NEPHI 14:9-10)
“In the realm of religion there are only two categories: religion that will save and religion that won’t. The former is the church of the Lamb, and the latter- no matter how well intentioned- is a counterfeit. Thus, even a “good” church must still be part of the devil’s kingdom in the sense used in 1 Nephi 14 (“there are save two churches only”), for it cannot do what it pretends to do.” (BOOK OF MORMON SYMPOSIUM SERIES, NYMAN/TATE/CHEESEMAN, PAGE 184)
This is the truth of what Joseph Smith taught and what he claims to be truth of the Book of Mormon. Most people don’t hear these types of things from Mormons, which is very interesting. The facts are still true that this is official Mormon doctrine. What importance is this? This is important because many Mormons think they are the ones who are being attacked or opposed by those who attempt to share information such as what this article states. However, truth be known, it was through Joseph Smith and his writings that have attacked others who are not of the same beliefs as the Mormon Church. The above references are very clear to understand and don’t need much explanation. In short the Book of Mormon states there are only two possible Churches in this world. The Church of the Lamb of God being the Mormon Church/ Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, and all those who are of this Church will be saved. The Church of the devil is in reference to all other Churches that are not Mormon. Since the Mormon Church claims to be the only true Church that would then logically conclude anyone who is not of this Church will in turn not be saved.
According to a recognized Mormon apostle Bruce McConkie and 10th President of Mormon Church the following was stated: “If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, pp. 1-350/ Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, page 670)
Brigham Young, 2nd Prophet & President of the Mormon Church, successor to Joseph Smith, stated the following: “From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are–I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent.” (Journal of Discourses, Brigham Young, October 9, 1859, page 289)
The above two statements regarding Joseph Smith as being essential for Salvation and to be able to enter into the heavenly realm where the Father and Christ are is simply heretical, false, and is another Gospel message. Brigham Young and Bruce McConkie demonstrate that they are not of the true faith. According to the Mormon Church the blood of Jesus Christ does not atone for all sins:
“Do you believe this doctrine? If not, then I do say you do not believe in the true doctrine of the atonement of Christ. This is the doctrine you are pleased to call the “blood atonement of Brighamism.” This is the doctrine of Christ our Redeemer, who died for us. This is the doctrine of Joseph Smith, and I accept it. Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone…This is scriptural doctrine, and is taught in all the standard works of the Church.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, pages 133-138/ Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pages 92-93)
“And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come." (Doctrines and Covenants 42:18/ revelation from Joseph Smith)
“Christians speak often of the blood of Christ and its cleansing power. Much that is believed and taught on this subject, however, is such utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one’s salvation. Many go so far, for instance, as to pretend, at least, to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips and avow that we accept Him as our personal Savior, we are thereby saved. His blood, without other act than mere belief, they say, makes us clean.” (Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, What the Mormons Think of Christ, 1973, pg. 22)
The above information is a small list that demonstrates that the Mormon Church Prophets and Teachers teach another Gospel of Christ. Jesus and Paul warned the early Church of false prophets and teachers, and I warn those those of you who are either in the Mormon Church or considering joining to know that they have been deceived into believing they are of the faith but in reality they are not. Look at what Jesus and Paul warned people about:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 KJ)
“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9 KJ)
Biblically speaking Joseph Smith’s testimony and teachings have fulfilled what Jesus and Paul warned the early Church about. (There are many other false prophets, false teachers, false movements, that have also fulfilled that what was spoken above) The Scriptures refute the false doctrines of the Mormon Church in regards to Salvation:
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin….If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us (our) sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7&9 KJV)
The blood of Jesus Christ atones for all sins period! We have a very solid and informative article on the Gospel message and what God calls us to do to be saved from our sins. Check out “What Must I Do To Be Saved” Simply believing in Jesus does not mean you are for-sure saved. What is required for salvation is coming to know the Jesus of the Bible and the true Gospel message.
President Gordon B. Hinckley is, by Biblical definition, a false prophet
Gordon B. Hinckley taught others to follow the teachings of Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, and many other things that are unbiblical. This information has been presented for the purpose of helping people be aware of the truth concerning the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. This was not presented in any way to attack anyone personally or bash, but rather to share the truth of God’s Word so that people would come to know the Jesus and Gospel of the Bible. If you have any questions concerning this information please contact us.