Book of Mormon studies: Part 1

Home

---

About us and contact us
Blog
Free Biblical Downloads
Roman Catholic church lies revealed!
Glossaries & Commentaries
Jesus Christ, the red thread of the bible
LGBTQ
nostr: a simple, open protocol that enables global, decentralized, and censorship-resistant social media.
qortal.org: a new decentralized, uncensored internet!
Trinity Center
Bold Christian t shirts!
Unique & Powerful Teachings
Watch the New BBP YouTube channel!

View this page in 103 different languages!

1. Introduction
   
   
2. How to tell if the book of Mormon is the genuine bible or if its Satan's counterfeit
   
   
3. Is the book of Mormon another gospel that Galatians warned us of to avoid?
   
   
4. Nephi is not even in the dictionary! LOL
   
   
5. 20 Point Summary
   
   

INTRODUCTION

There are many different religions around the world, so how do they compare to the bible?

I have randomly selected the book of Mormon to study what it is all about. Come join me for the journey!

We are not starting off with the introduction page, or even the title page, but what looks like the table of contents to the official book of mormon website [LDS = Latter Day Saints] and I already see a problem, right off the bat!

Official book of mormon website

Near the top of the page is a large, dark brown header, and in the upper left corner we see a home page icon, then /SCRIPTURES/BOOK OF MORMON. That's a problem. Why? Look at the definition of scripture.

Definition of Scripture
noun
1. Often, Scriptures. Also called Holy Scripture, Holy Scriptures. the sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together.
2. (often lowercase) any writing or book, especially when of a sacred or religious nature.
3. (sometimes lowercase) a particular passage from the Bible; text.

noun
1. (Christianity) Also called Holy Scripture, Holy Writ, the Scriptures. the Old and New Testaments
2. any book or body of writings, esp when regarded as sacred by a particular religious group
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for Scripture
scripture
c.1300, "a writing, an act of writing," esp. "the sacred writings of the Bible," from L.L. scriptura "the writings contained in the Bible, a passage from the Bible," from L. scriptura "a writing, character, inscription," from scriptus, pp. of scribere "write" (see script ).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

So in the very first definition of "Scripture", we see that the first letter is usually capitalized, in order to distinguish it from other non-biblical scriptures, which are usually in lowercase letters. The very first definition of scripture "the sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together" contradicts the book of Mormon.

However, the book of Mormon does match definition #2, which is often in lowercase letters. However, if you go back to the book of Mormon table of contents page, where it says /SCRIPTURES/BOOK OF MORMON, notice that all the letters are capitalized, as if it were the bible itself! By definition #1, that is only the old and new testaments, not any other book, such as the book of Mormon.

Therefore, what we have here is a counterfeit bible, posing as holy scripture, before we even get to the introduction! Perhaps you think I'm being too picky, or pedantic, and thus am going too far. However, as you will see, this is a very clever and subtle deception and our first clue that the book of Mormon is anything but holy and it is definitely not the bible, which is God's word and will.

Definition of pedantic
adjective
1. ostentatious in one's learning.
2. overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching.



For example, no normal adult person is going to mistake the play money in a monopoly game with real paper currency from a bank because they are so different. However, a sophisticated $20 bill made by professional counterfeiters often cannot be distinguished from the original simply by a visual inspection. It often needs to be verified by advanced technology.



So I already have doubts as to whether or not the book of Mormon is inspired by the one true God or not. How come we have yet another holy book? Wasn't the bible good enough?

Look what's happening here - we have doubt and confusion setting in already. What does the bible say about these?

Matthew 14
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith [believing], wherefore didst thou doubt?

According to Jesus Christ himself, if we have doubt, then we are not believing. Now look what God's word says about confusion.

I Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

James 3
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

So doubt is a sign of weak believing and confusion is from Satan. If this is what you are feeling, then perhaps you should examine the scriptures more fully. But what if you FEEL GOOD about the book of Mormon, the Koran, the writings of Confucius, or any other non-biblical book and you are peaceful or confident that they are inspired by the one true God? Does that make them so? No, absolutely not!

How to tell if the book of Mormon is the genuine or a counterfeit bible

II Timothy 2
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker [gangrene]: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith [believing] of some.

If we don't rightly divide God's word, then its possible that we may be deceived by Satan.

Acts 17
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

You can see the Godly result of what these people in Berea did in Acts 17:11 - they believed in God by analyzing the bible and applied it in their lives and saw the Godly results.

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Contrast this to what the website about the book of Mormon says to do:
book of mormon beliefs
"How to Know the Book of Mormon is True Through honest study and humble prayer, we can each know for ourselves that the Book of Mormon really is the word of God.

Of course it's one thing to read the Book of Mormon and another to believe deep in our hearts that what it says is true. This sincere belief, or testimony, in the truth of the Book of Mormon comes when God sends His Spirit to confirm the truth of what we read. We can feel this confirmation when we study the Book of Mormon with diligence and faith, as we are promised in the following scripture:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. " (Moroni 10:4)

God's method is simple: we read the Book of Mormon; we pray and ask Him to tell us that what we've read is true and He answers us through feelings of peace and assurance given by the Holy Ghost. First of all, we have to study the Book of Mormon diligently, applying its principles to our own lives and doing our best to understand the lessons that God wants us to learn.

Second, we have to pray "with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ." We need to hope and believe that God will answer us, and we may have to pray more than once. Last, we need to be willing to accept the answer when it comes, however it may come."

This sounds all religious and wonderful, but look what it is NOT saying!

* Its not saying to rightly divide God's word, like II Timothy 2:15 says.
* Its not saying to "search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so", like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.

No, no. Its saying to study the BOOK OF MORMON. Look again at II Timothy 2

II Timothy 2
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker [gangrene]: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith [believing] of some.

Shun profane and vain babblings because it will increase ungodliness. Their word will spiritually eat away at you like gangrene, [a disease that dissolves your flesh].

Here is an image of the cover page of the book of Mormon as it appeared in 1830.



You could say that because the book of Mormon qualifies as scripture, [in definition #2], then II Timothy 2:15 & Acts 17:11 would apply to or refer to the book of Mormon also.

However, that cannot be true because these 2 verses in the bible were referring only to the bible, not any other book. The reason I know this is because the book of Mormon was not even translated until 1830AD, whereas the last book of the bible, [the book of revelation] was written around 95-100AD.

So these verses in Timothy and Acts can only be referring to the books of the bible that those christians had access to at the time, which were the books of the bible that were already written by that time.

They cannot be referring to an unknown book, written in an unknown language, in an unknown part of the world thousands of miles away, almost 2 thousand years in the future of which they had no knowledge [the book of Mormon].

Hosea 4
4 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

We are destroyed by a lack of accurate knowledge of the bible, God's revealed word and will and not any other religious book pretending to be like the bible.

II Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices [thoughts, plans & schemes].

I Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;



You must, as II Timothy 2:15 & Acts 17:11 say, study the bible [the only genuine source of truth] and then you have a way of comparing the counterfeit against the standard of truth, which is the bible. Only then can you separate truth from error, because without an eternal, unchanging, and perfect standard of truth to compare to, you are still lost in the dark.

Next in the large dark-colored header, we see this text: "The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Who or what is Mormon?

This is an image of a modern book of Mormon.



Definition of Mormon
noun
1. the popular name given to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. See under Book of Mormon.

Related forms
Mormonism, noun
non-Mormon, noun, adjective

Book of Mormon
noun
1. a sacred book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believed by members of the church to be an abridgment by a prophet (Mormon) of a record of certain ancient peoples in America, written on golden plates, and discovered and translated (1827-30) by Joseph Smith.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.

Ok, so now we have a bit more information and understanding. What is an abridgment?

Definition of abridgement
noun
1. a shortened or condensed form of a book, speech, etc., that still retains the basic contents: an abridgment of Tolstoy's War and Peace.
2. the act or process of abridging.
3. the state of being abridged.
4. reduction or curtailment: abridgment of civil rights.

British Dictionary definitions for Mormon
Mormon
noun
1. a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded in 1830 at La Fayette, New York, by Joseph Smith
2. a prophet whose supposed revelations were recorded by Joseph Smith in the Book of Mormon

adjective
3. of or relating to the Mormons, their Church, or their beliefs

Word Origin and History for Mormon
Mormon
1830, coined by religion founder Joseph Smith (1805-1844) in Seneca County, N.Y., in allusion to Mormon, supposed prophet and author of "The Book of Mormon," explained by Smith as meaning more mon, from Eng. more + Egyptian mon "good."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

So the book of Mormon is a condensed ink-on-paper version of the information from the golden plates. I have no problem with that and the word "Mormon" literally means "more good". However, let's find out more about this prophet Mormon.

If he's a true prophet from the one true God, then God must at least mention his name in his own word, which is the bible. From the word origin in the definition, it says "Mormon, supposed prophet and author of "The Book of Mormon,"", questioning his very existence. This doubt confirms our previous doubt on the authenticity of the book of Mormon earlier.

Furthermore, the definition says "a prophet whose supposed revelations"!

Definition of "supposed":
adjective
assumed as true, regardless of fact; hypothetical: a supposed case.
accepted or believed as true, without positive knowledge: the supposed site of an ancient temple.
merely thought to be such; imagined: supposed gains.

One of the BRITISH DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS FOR SUPPOSED is "highly doubtful"!

So we have a prophet, whose very existence is highly doubtful, whose revelations are also highly doubtful!

Search result for the word "Mormon" in the bible



Now we need to go back to the word origin and history section for the definition of the word "Mormon" and examine the word "coined" in the phrase "1830, coined by religion founder Joseph Smith".

Definition of coined
verb (used with object)
7. to make (coinage) by stamping metal: The mint is coining pennies.
8. to convert (metal) into coinage : The mint used to coin gold into dollars.
9. to make; invent; fabricate: to coin an expression.
10. Metalworking. to shape the surface of (metal) by squeezing between two dies.
Compare emboss (def 3).

Since we are dealing with a printed ink-on-paper book, definitions 7,8 & 10 do not apply. The only definition that applies is definition #9 - to make; invent; fabricate!!!

Definition of fabricate
verb (used with object),
fabricated, fabricating.
1. to make by art or skill and labor; construct: The finest craftspeople fabricated this clock.
2. to make by assembling parts or sections.
3. to devise or invent (a legend, lie, etc.).
4. to fake; forge (a document, signature, etc.).

Look at definitions #3 & #4 !!! Just by looking up a few words in the dictionary, we already have 2 doubts and one solid confirmation of the lack of integrity and trustworthiness of the book of Mormon.



Since we've now caught Joseph Smith lying red-handed, how can we trust anything else he says?

Look what the book of Mormon has in common with the books of the apocrypha!

• Both are apocryphal books
• Both have the same definitions of the apocrypha: doubtful authorship and authenticity and are fabrications of man
• Both are counterfeit bibles
• Both are designed to deceive, distract, and confuse
• Both were inspired by devil spirits

Is the book of Mormon another gospel?

We are still examining the phrase in the large dark-colored header near the top of the page on the Mormon website "The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ". The word "another" should be triggering alarm bells and red warning flags in your mind. Why do we need another testament of Jesus Christ???

Jesus Christ and Adam and Eve were the only people in the history of mankind to ever have a perfect nature. However, as we know, Adam and Eve, of their own free will, tried to break the spiritual laws of God and received the consequences of their actions and became corrupt, as the rest of us are.

So not only did Jesus Christ start off with a perfectly pure bloodstream, but he never sinned, and he perfectly carried out God's perfect plan of redemption, so why do we need another testament from him?? That implies that the first one was inadequate or imperfect somehow. Yet that is not what God says about his word.

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Greek word for "finisher" is teleiótés: a completer, finisher and 2 different concordances [Strong's & Thayer's Greek Lexicon] define it as perfecter!

Jesus already completely and perfectly finished the job almost 2 thousand years ago, so why do we need yet another testament from him or anybody else?

We don't.

Colossians 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Since we are already complete in Christ, then we cannot become any more complete, so nothing else is needed. We do not need another testament from Jesus Christ because his testament is already finished and we are complete in him.

II Peter 1
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.



Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Since God's original word was perfect, it is impossible to improve upon it, so why do we need yet another holy book purporting to be the final, or complete gospel?

We don't.

By definition, if you add anything to perfection, take anything away from it, or change any part of it, you only have IMperfection left.

This is verified by the book of Mormon 8:12



Galatians 1
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.




Greek lexicon of Galatians 1:6 Now go to the Strong's column near the bottom of the chart to link #2087

Greek concordance of another
Strong's Concordance #2087
heteros: other
Original Word: heteros
Part of Speech: Adjective
Phonetic Spelling: (het' -er-os)
Definition: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor.

HELPS Word-studies
2087 heteros - another (of a different kind). 2087 /heteros ("another but distinct in kind") stands in contrast to 243 /allos ("another of the same kind"). 2087 /heteros ("another of a different quality") emphasizes it is qualitatively different from its counterpart (comparison).

[2087 (heteros) sometimes refers to "another" of a different class group or type (as in Plato; Oxy. papyri).]

Look at that definition! Galatians 1:6 mentions another gospel of a different kind. The last book of the bible, the book of revelation, was completed approximately 100AD, one thousand, seven hundred and thirty years before the book of Mormon was written by a guy who has already been caught lying, fabricating, a prophet named Mormon, who never even existed. This is the gospel of a different kind because it was never authored by the one true God.

But Galatians 1:7 seems to contradict verse 6, until you look up just one more word...

Greek lexicon of Galatians 1:7 Now go to the Strong's column, the second link down to #243

Greek concordance of another
Strong's Concordance #243
allos: other, another
Original Word: allow
Part of Speech: Adjective
Phonetic Spelling: (al'-los)
Definition: other, another (of more than two), different.

HELPS Word-studies
243 allos (a primitive word) - another of the same kind; another of a similar type.

This is where the confusion comes in with our modern versions and translations - the translators of the King James version mistranslated 2 entirely different Greek words with the same english word.

So a more accurate translation would be as follows:

Galatians 1
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel of a different kind or type:
7 Which is not another of the same kind or type; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

God's word is being extremely clear and emphatic here - this other gospel is a different type than the original AND its not the same type as the original. He's basically saying the same thing twice, but both from a positive and a negative point of view so that we cannot miss the point. There is absolutely no room for misunderstanding here.



Definition of "purport":
verb (used with object)
to present, especially deliberately, the appearance of being; profess or claim, often falsely: a document purporting to be official.

Deuteronomy 4
1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

So way back in ancient Israel, God was already warning Israel not to add words to or take words away from the bible.

Revelation 22
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Again, in the book of revelation, God is providing a very clear, direct warning against adding or subtracting any words to his word. As a matter of fact, God is warning against this in the very last 4 verses of the entire bible! So how important can that be???

Galatians 1
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.

In verse 8, what does "other" mean?

Greek lexicon of Galatians 1:8 Go to the Strong's column to link #3844

Greek concordance of other
Strong's Concordance
para: from beside, by the side of, by, beside
Part of Speech: Preposition
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ah')
Definition: gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

HELPS Word-studies
3844 para (a preposition) - properly, close beside. 3844 /para ("from closely alongside") introduces someone (something) as very "close beside."

3844 (para) an emphatic "from," means "from close beside" ("alongside"). It stresses nearness (closeness) which is often not conveyed in translation. 3844 (para) is typically theologically significant, even when used as a prefix (i.e. in composition). 3844 (para) usually adds the overtone, "from close beside"(implying intimate participation) and can be followed by the genitive, dative, or accusative case - each one conveying a distinct nuance.

Look at this definition of other gospel - "It stresses nearness (closeness)". That, by definition, is an accurate description of a counterfeit, which corroborates what I was saying earlier, the closer the counterfeit is to the genuine, the more effective it is. That is why it's so important to be able to rightly divide God's word to see and understand the minute accuracy of it, so that we are not deceived.

And just look at the consequences of teaching a different type of gospel of Christ!



Greek lexicon of Galatians 1:8 Go to the Strong's column to link #3844

Greek concordance of "accursed"
Strong's Concordance #331
anathema: that which is laid up, i.e. a votive offering
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ath' -em-ah)
Definition: a votive offering, a thing devoted to God; a curse, the thing cursed.

HELPS Word-studies
331 anathema (from 303 /ana, "up" concluding a process, which intensifies 5087 /tithemi, "to place") - properly, place up, referring to something pledged (given up) to destruction; a divine curse/ban ("accursed"); an "oath-curse."

[331 (anathema) is the root of the English word, "anathema."]

So at this point, I believe we have established beyond a reasonable doubt that the book of Mormon is a counterfeit book, a counterfeit bible that was inspired by Satan. However, I don't like to leave any doubts at all, for, as we have seen in Matthew 14, doubt is a sign of weak believing, so we must eliminate it. We want to be a million percent certain of our beliefs so that we can never be deceived again.






Ephesians 4
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, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

So now we go to the title page of the book of Mormon website.

NEPHI IS NOT EVEN IN THE DICTIONARY! LOL

book of mormon title page

An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi

So we already know that there was no prophet named "mormon" - he is a fictitious character. As the saying goes, it was pulled out of thin air. Funny people say that. Look how that relates to this verse in Ephesians...

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:



Ephesians 1
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:



I went to www.dictionary.com and typed in "nephi". Here's the response I got... "Did you mean nepho-? More suggestions:" and then it had a long list of other words. Nephi is not even in the dictionary!! LOL. Not good.

Let's try another dictionary. I found an online etymology dictionary "This is a map of the wheel-ruts of modern English. Etymologies are not definitions; they're explanations of what our words meant and how they sounded 600 or 2,000 years ago."

Definition of nephi
"nephi" is not listed in this dictionary either! The closest thing it could find was nephilim, which could be the root word that nephi came from.

[The Nephilim in Genesis 6:4 are people who have sold their souls to Satan and are his spiritual children, so if nephi is associated or related to them, then that is very bad news for the book of Mormon!].

The book of Mormon central has written an article and thinks perhaps it came from an ancient Egyptian name.

Here is a dictionary done by Princeton University and maintained by the National Science foundation.

Definition of nephi
"WordNet® is a large lexical database of English. Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs are grouped into sets of cognitive synonyms (synsets), each expressing a distinct concept".

word search result for nephi in Princeton University's wordnet database "Your search did not return any results".

I also looked at my own hard copy dictionary - "The new lexicon Webster's dictionary of the english language. Deluxe encyclopedic edition. Its a 2,064 page volume. It did not contain the word "nephi" either. That's 4 different dictionaries that do not even acknowledge, let alone recognize, the word "nephi".

Now let's see what the bible has to say about Nephi.

word search result for nephi at www.biblegateway.com Look at that - Nephi is not mentioned one time in the entire bible.

In an interesting twist, nephi is mentioned in the encyclopedia britannica though.
word search result for nephi in the encyclopedia britannica

Nephi, city, seat (1882) of Juab county, north-central Utah, U.S. Located at the southern end of the Wasatch Range, the city was founded as an agricultural colony in 1851 and was originally called Salt Creek; in the late 1850s Mormon leaders renamed it after a prophet of the Book of Mormon.

Nephi grew as a ranching and farming centre, later becoming a shipping point for gypsum mined in the vicinity and a centre of rubber production. The city hosts the Ute Stampede Rodeo and lies at the western end of the Nebo Loop scenic drive. Inc. 1882. Pop. (2000) 4,733; (2010) ... (100 of 105 words)

However, in the second line, we see the phrase "Mormon leaders renamed it after a prophet of the Book of Mormon".



Furthermore, google maps and the encyclopedia Britannica both agree and recognize nephi as a city in Utah, which is a geographical location, not the name of a person.

Although some cities are named after individual people, we have already proven that Nephi, as a person, never existed, so even if the city of Nephi was named after him, he is still a totally fictitious person.

the city of nephi Utah in Google maps

Google maps says Nephi is 83 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. So at least there is some credibility associated with the name of "nephi". Technically then, since there is a city of nephi, if there were 2 or more people living there, then they could be called nephites.





Now we will look at the next paragraph on the book of mormon website title page.

"Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites-Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile-Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation-Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed-To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof-Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile-The interpretation thereof by the gift of God".

Ok, so the book of Mormon was "Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel..."

The word "lamanite" is the root word for the plural form of "lamanites", so if lamanite is a valid word, then so is lamanites.

I went to www.dictionary.com and typed in the word "lamanite". Here are the results: "Did you mean Amanite? More suggestions:" So this dictionary did not acknowledge the existence of this word - LOL!

Largest open source dictionary

Search result for Lamanite
The largest open-source dictionary in the world did not acknowledge the word "lamanite" as a valid word either. Somebody wrote a small paragraph that merely contained the word lamanite, but it didn't even define it.

Search result for Lamanite on www.biblegateway.com So the word "Lamanite" does not occur anywhere in the entire bible.

Wikipedia - lamanite info
Notice what it says at the end of the first paragraph! - "However, in the 21st century, Mormon scholars who favor a limited geography model have been disclaiming any significant genetic connection between Lamanites and any modern people.

As only Mormons consider the Book of Mormon to have any ancient historical basis, Lamanites are not considered to be a valid category of people by mainstream scholars"!



Furthermore, there is no scientific evidence for their existence. Let's look at the scientific data on the Lamanites further down the page...

"The existence of a Lamanite nation has received no support within mainstream science or archaeology. Genetic studies indicate that the indigenous Americans are related to present-day populations in Mongolia, Siberia, and environs,[21][22] and Polynesians to those in southeast Asia."

What is even more remarkable is that, according to the mormon website, Book of Mormon statistics the book of Mormon has been translated in its entirety, into 82 different languages, partially translated into 25 additional languages, 150 million copies have been printed out up to the year 2011, and endured 185 years of scrutiny after its first translation [1830 - 2015], and still, even after all of that:



In reference to the Mormon statistics site linked to:

"Flooding the Earth
In addition to the increasing number of translations available, the Church is also making use of advancing technologies to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon in different formats".

Its interesting that the Mormon church wants to flood the earth with the book of Mormon and the bible speaks of floods of ungodly men.

Psalms 18
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell [the grave] compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Contrast this with what God's word says in Acts.

Acts 1:3
To whom also he [Jesus] shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

There are "many infallible proofs" of the bible and the life of Jesus Christ, yet there are many many facts in the book of Mormon that have already been proven wrong, as we have seen with several different things.

In the second paragraph, it says that the lamanites came from Laman and Lemuel, sons of Lehi.

Search result for laman on www.biblegateway.com As you can see, "laman" does not occur anywhere in the entire bible.

I went to www.dictionary.com and typed in the word "laman" and here's the result: "Did you mean lawman? More suggestions:" LOL. How embarrassing! Where is the Mormon credibility or integrity?



Definition of Lemuel
However, there was a Lemuel, but look at the definition:
Lemuel
noun
1. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning "devoted to God.".
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.

Lemuel in the Bible
dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed (Prov. 31:1-9). Nothing is certainly known concerning him. The rabbis identified him with Solomon.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

If you look at the companion reference bible online, you can see in the notes on page 904, that Lemuel has nothing to do with Laman or the lamanites, both ficticious names.

E.W. Bullinger's companion bible on King Lemuel in Proverbs 31
"Solomon was the royal seed in the line of him who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Talmud says Solomon was called by six names: Solomon, Jedidiah, Koheleth, Son of Jakeh, Agur, and Lemuel."

The companion bible agrees with Easton's bible dictionary as well, so once again, we are dealing with more false data from the book of Mormon.

Search result for Lehi in the bible
So the word "Lehi" does occur 3 times in the bible, but it appears that its some kind of geographical location, instead of a person. This can be quickly and easily verified online.

Judges 15
9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

Hebrew Lexicon of Judges 15:9 In the Strong's column, go to link #3896 at the bottom

Hebrew concordance of Lehi
Strong's Concordance
Lechi: a place probably in Judah
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Phonetic Spelling: (lekh'-ee)
Short Definition: Lehi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as lechi
Definition
a place probably in Judah

Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. proper name, of a location scene of an exploit of Samson

So three independent, objective and authoritative sources are all in agreement that Lehi is not a person, but a city, a geographical location, most likely in Judah.





Encyclopedia Britannica - city of Lehi
Lehi, city, Utah county, northern Utah, U.S. First called Evansville and then Dry Creek, upon its incorporation the city was renamed Lehi, after a patriarch in the Book of Mormon. Located on the northern shore of Utah Lake, the city is an agricultural centre (alfalfa, sugar beets) and a suburb of Salt Lake City. At Point of the Mountain is preserved a portion of the Pony Express Trail. Other sites of interest are the John Hutchings Museum of Natural History, located in the Lehi Memorial Building, and Saratoga Springs, a swimming and diving facility on Utah Lake. The Lehi Roundup, a rodeo held each June, draws visitors from throughout the American West. Inc. 1852. Pop. (2000) 19,028; (2010) 47,407.

No archaeological evidence for the book of Mormon
"In a book review, Duwayne Anderson commented: "In 1993 Michael D. Coe, professor of anthropology at Yale University, summarized the situation by saying: 'I have seen no archaeological evidence before or since that [1973] date which would convince me that it [the Book of Mormon] is anything but a fanciful creation by an unusually gifted individual living in upstate New York in the early nineteenth century.'""

No archaeological evidence for the book of Mormon - 2
An LDS Archaeologist's Conclusion

As was noted earlier, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are alike in presenting themselves as records of ancient history. However, whereas the authenticity of the Bible is widely accepted even by secular scholars (see article titled "Does Archaeology Support the Bible?"), no non-LDS archaeologist accepts the Book of Mormon as authentic history, and now even many LDS scholars no longer support its historicity.13 Why do archaeologist take such a dim view of the Book of Mormon?

One of the best answers to this question was offered by former Brigham Young University anthropology professor, Dr. Raymond T. Matheny at an August 25, 1984 Sunstone conference in Salt Lake City.14 After working in the area of Mesoamerican archaeology for twenty-two years, Prof. Matheny reported his conclusion that the scientific evidence simply does not support the existence of the peoples and events chronicled in the Book of Mormon, be it in Central America or anywhere else in the western hemisphere.

At this point, I'm going to conclude part 1 of this series on the book of Mormon. We've seen too many blatant errors in the book of Mormon already, and as a consequence, I cannot put my trust in it.

In Part 2, we will examine several key claims of the book of Mormon.

SUMMARY

1. In the first definition of Scripture, its referring to the old or new testaments of the bible, or both and is capitalized to distinguish it from other, non-biblical religious books. On the book of Mormon website, under the category of scripture, the word SCRIPTURES, [referring to the book of Mormon] is capitalized, as if it were the bible, when it clearly is not. Thus it is posing as a counterfeit scripture, giving it a status normally reserved for the bible alone
   
   
2. The closer a counterfeit is to the genuine, the more effective the counterfeit is
   
   
3. You cannot find out that a counterfeit is a counterfeit by only studying the counterfeit. You must compare the counterfeit to the genuine in order to see the difference between them
   
   
4. In Matthew 14:31, doubt is a sign of weak believing
   
   
5. In I Corinthians 14:33, confusion is not from the one true God
   
   
6. The book of Mormon website says that in order to know whether or not the book of Mormon is true: "we read the Book of Mormon; we pray and ask Him to tell us that what we've read is true and He answers us through feelings of peace and assurance given by the Holy Ghost" However, this contradicts what the bible says in Acts 17:11 & II Timothy 2:15 and other verses. We must have an accurate knowledge of the genuine, the truth, which is the bible to be able to separate truth from error.
   
   
7. Matthew 22:29 - "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God"
   
   
8. In the definition of "Mormon", Joseph Smith completely fabricated, invented, forged, faked the word "mormon"
   
   
9. The word "mormon" does not occur anywhere in the entire bible
   
   
10. The dictionary casts doubt of the very existence of the prophet Mormon by saying, "supposed prophet and author of "The Book of Mormon""
    
    
11. Since Joseph Smith lied about the existence of the prophet Mormon, what else is he lying about? How can we trust the book of Mormon?
    
    
12. Jesus Christ is the author & finisher of our faith; we are complete in him; the bible has everything the pertains to life & Godliness; the bible is the perfect, eternal, revealed word and will of God, so there is no need for another testament of Jesus Christ.
    
    
13. Galatians 1 says twice that anyone who teaches a different gospel other than what is already in the bible is accursed.
    
    
14. In addition to Deuteronomy 4, the very last 4 verses of the bible contain stern warnings to anyone who adds or removes words to God's word, the bible. They shall have plagues and will be removed from God's book of life
    
    
15. Nephi, the supposed Mormon prophet, is not listed in 4 different dictionaries nor the bible, but is listed in Encyclopedia Britannica & Google maps as a city in Utah, [the state with almost a third of the entire U.S. Mormon population, more than any other state]. Thus, we have one more Mormon lie and more damaged credibility.
    
    
16. The Lamanites, the supposed race of people that the book of Mormon says are the ancestors of American indians, are not listed in 2 different dictionaries nor the bible. Furthermore, there is no scientific, genetic, or archaeological evidence for their existence, even after 184 years of research. No scholar outside of the Mormon church believe in their existence, and many Mormon scientists are joining them as well.
    
    
17. Laman, the supposed father of the lamanites, does not occur in the bible or the dictionary
    
    
18. Lemuel, the supposed brother of Laman, is actually one of the 6 names of king Solomon, and nobody else, according to two independent, objective and authoritative sources
    
    
19. Lehi, the supposed father of Laman & Lemuel, is not listed in the dictionary. Lehi is a city in the book of Judges and a city in Utah, but is not a person
    
    
20. In contrast to the book of Mormon, Acts 1:3 says there are "many infallible proofs" of Jesus Christ's resurrection, one of which is speaking in tongues, proof that you have the gift of holy spirit within