Immanuel Swedenborg and the New Church.

[riverogue]

After examining these three websites below about Swedenborg's life in the 18th century and the religion based on his teachings and philosophies, do you think there is a possibility that he could be inspired like Joseph Smith, a counterfit of Satan, or some gray area in between? Pay particular attention to the wikipedia page about his revelation and teachings that are close to that of The LDS faith, and those that contradict ours. I find him interesting to say the least. Many of my ancestors lived in Sweden during his life. In his day, he was revered as a great theologian and scientist.

Emanuel Swedenborg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home - The New Church
The New Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[riverogue]

The Mormon-Swedenborg connection: Johnny Appleseed!

Johnny Appleseed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Matthew0059]

I don't have time to read the links about Swedenborg now (I'll try at a later time), but from what I've heard previously I also was struck by the similarity of some of his teachings with Joseph Smith's. I don't know if Swedenborg was a real prophet or a false one or something in between, but whatever the case I wouldn't be surprised. We know that those outside of the Church can have visions, even in a time of worldwide apostasy.

[prophetofdoom]

The scriptures teach us that in the last days the Lord will pour his spirit on the Earth. I think Swedenberg could have been inspired of the Lord.. he got a few doctrines wrong.. but, no one is perfect.

[riverogue]

Here is another link with additional similarities Article this link also discribes their types of marriage garment worn which are similar to our own. They believe in eternal marriage as well.

[ThankGodForRepentence]

I went to their web site (as well as wiki) and got the answer I needed. That Church was already organized when Heavenly Father and Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. Joseph was told NONE of the Churches were correct and gave Joseph the means of Restoring the True Gospel to the earth at that time. If Swedenborg's Church was correct then our God's would have informed Joseph at that time, for why would our God's create a new Church when one existed already?

It's not really a matter of whether is has some correct principles it's a matter of providing imitation truth which can/will keep some from fulfilling their mortal probation on earth by not finding the True Gospel.

The Bible, Book of Mormon, PGP, Doctrine & Covenants, Ensign, and Conference holds enough truth to occupy me until the Hidden portion of the Book of Mormon and the Books of the Lost Tribes are revealed.

[captmoroniRM]

Visions were actually quite commonplace in the early 19th Century, especially in America. I can even think of a number of claims of the Virgin Mary appearing to people throughout the world in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Take a look through the BYU-I devotional archives for Nov 1998. Richard L Bushman, the author of that cultural biography of Joseph Smith gave a talk on how Joseph Smith was not alone in claiming visions of God, and how he set himslef apart from the rest as a true Prophet. He takes the idea that "If Jospeh Smith saw God the Father, then that guarantees that he was a prophet" (That the truth/falacy of his prophetic calling depends exclusively on that singular event) and examines it against the culture in which Joseph grew up.

When placed in that a historical context, that doesn't make any sense. Joseph Smith said little about the first vision, and we didn't even have a written version until 1831 or 1832, or even to 1838. Even the 1st Edition of the Book of Mormon says nothing about the visions of Moroni leading him to the plates. Bushman hypothesizes that is because visions were so commonplace in the early 19th century.

Between 1783 ane 1815 32 published accounts of visions were quickly found when he searched the internet. Many dealt with "the end of the world," or heavenly journeys. 10 accounts of these were visions of God, Christ, or both in human form. For Joseph Smith to publish one more, would make it tougher for Joseph Smith to really gain any ground, as he would have been "just another visionary." All the visions would have been 'static' around the real message of the Lord. One such was Charles Grandison Finney who is called by some as one of the greatest evangelists since Paul. He was born in new england, concerned about the welfare of his soul, he went into the woods and prayed. He recieved a vision of Christ.

The difference between Finney and Joseph Smith was that Finney did the "natural" thing, becoming a preacher, and creating religious revivals. He became the leader of Oberlin College. Many other great preachers and visionaries emerged during this time. They received a vision, felt called to preach of Christ, took the Bible, and taught others from it.

Joseph Smith stands out from the rest as he took a step that no other visionary of the day took. He became a translator, and not of the Bible, as other men were doing. And few of the most learned men with years of training dealt with translating egyptian, as the Rosetta Stone had just been discovered. Josepth Smith took on the role of translator of reformed egyptian without much education. Critics spoke not of the Book of Mormon's content, but that an unlearned boy was translating something. Later, he went on to translate the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price. Other visionaries only stayed on the path of the world and its churches. They preached the Bible under their interpretations that came from their visions. It was the first of many steps that would define him as the true prophet of the Restoration. The fruits of his translation are a physical proof of his prophetic calling. For me personally, it is how I know that Joseph Smith did in fact have the first vision.

[rameumptom]

I believe he was inspired. He just did not hold the priesthood authority.