---

Mormon Pearl of Great Price

By Joseph Smith

---

Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, produced the "Mormon Pearl of Great Price" and published it in the Church's periodicals. It consists of the Book of Moses, Book of Abraham, an "additional" chapter to Matthew, a brief autobiography of Joseph Smith, and the Mormon Articles of Faith.

I am no Biblical Scholar, but much of what is included in the text is in direct contradiction to Old and New Testament Scripture. Some of the most notable assertions is that: Moses 7:8 "blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people." Moses 7:22 "for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them." Moses 7:42 "all the sons of Noah should be saved with a temporal salvation." Moses 7:68-69 The entire city of Zion disappears to heaven with Enoch. Methuselah is the only person left behind. Moses 8:24 Noah preached of baptism through Jesus Christ.

Abraham 1:23 Egypt was discovered by a woman named Egyptus, and it was under water. Abraham 1:31 Abraham was given knowledge of all creation. Abraham 2:24 God told Abraham to lie about Sarah being his wife. Abraham 3:9 There will be a reckoning for each planet of peoples depending upon distance to God. Abraham 3:19 "there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other." Abraham 3:23 The more intelligent spirits will be made rulers, and Abraham is included in these spirits. Abraham 5:4 all living matter was formed spiritually before it was physically on earth.

The chapter of Matthew just seems to be a regurgitation of various New Testament parables.

Joseph Smith's history according to himself: He was first visited by God when he was 15. God told him that the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians "were all wrong." That Joseph should not join any of the churches, but indeed start his own. When Joseph begins to tell people he finds himself persecuted. Because of the persecution of the churches and the "weakness of youth", Smith begins to hang out with unsavory types. He is referred to as a "money-digger."

When he is 18, he is visited by Moroni, son of Mormon. Moroni tells him of 2 secret tablets, but Smith cannot get them until 4 years have passed. Over 2 days, Moroni visits him 4 times. After Moroni's third visit, the cock crowed. He visits him annually for the next 4 years. He is told not to show them to anyone because some may want to make financial gain from them. He is warned that "grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation."

He gets married at 22 to Emma Hale. Her family does not like Smith and they eventually move to Pennsylvania. He gets the tablets when he is 22 as well. After interpreting, he gives them back to Moroni. Smith and companion Oliver Cowdery are visited by John the Baptist when Smith is 24 years old. They are brought into the Priesthood of Aaron by John the Baptist, under the direction of Peter, James, and John. Smith becomes the first elder and Cowdery the second elder of the Church. For a time, they keep the Priesthood secret due to persecution. (Cowdery was later excommunicated, but simulataneously left the Church. He lost many job appointments and elections due to his connection to the Church, and later rejoined the Church)

There are 13 Articles of Faith. The 10th Article states that New Jerusalem will be located on the American continent. The 11th Article claims the privilege to allow all men to worship "what" they may and "how" they may. The 12th Article states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

Chapter I. Moses, Ch 1
Chapter II. Moses, Ch 2
Chapter III. Moses, Ch 3
Chapter IV. Moses, Ch 4
Chapter V. Moses, Ch 5
Chapter VI. Moses, Ch 6
Chapter VII. Moses, Ch 7
Chapter VIII. Moses, Ch 8
Chapter I. Abraham, Ch 1
Chapter II. Abraham, Ch 2
Chapter III. Abraham, Ch 3
Chapter IV. Abraham, Ch 4
Chapter V. Abraham, Ch 5
Joseph Smith -- Matthew
Joseph Smith -- History
The Articles of Faith