problems with Joseph Smith

[fiona84]

Hi everyone,

So...my question is on behalf of my husband who is investigating the church.

He knows all about it,has had some of the discussions, goes with me to church, etc, but just hasn't (in his word) 'bought' the Jospeh Smith story.

He is very scientificly minded and views things logically.

I am a convert who had no problem 'buying' the BoM and Joseph Smith. So its hard for me to relate to to someone who needs to view it in a factual sense.

He said he is going to start researching the church more fully and then re-take the discussions (it was a few years ago he took them).

He is approaching this prayerfully (it was his idea for us to start praying together daily) as well, and there is no denying the potential magnitude of the results of his investigating.

He really likes the church....takes issue with its founding and the BoM.

So, my questions are as follows:

Any general advice?
Any good resources for him to do research?

And I suppose one fear is that his research will lead him to anti-mormon material online. I've been there, done that, and know how confusing it can be.

And I'm not even a logic/science/fact kind of person.

Thanks everyone.

ETA: He is aware of 'pray about it'. We even have kind of an ongoing banter about the 'the challenge'. I wish it were that easy for him lol.

[Palerider]

here is a suggestion....try to find a set of DVD's by Truman Madsen......he does a series about Joseph Smith.....not sure how many cd's perhaps 3-4.....excellent lectures....

[sixpacktr]

Your husband is doing what he should: he is reading, he is praying (with you, no less), he is going to take the discussions again. There are many good resources out there, but it will be the Spirit that converts him, nothing else. Particularly since he is, as you state, more logical in his approach to things, as weird as it seems it will have to be the Spirit that convinces him. Too many will poo poo things and explain them away, which is why it is impossible to gain a 'logical' testimony.

Good luck. Happy to hear that he is trying to learn and understand.

[prisonchaplain]

I'm curious. Is your husband a Christian who is uncertain about Joseph Smith, or is he from another religion, or is he uncertain about God in general? It seems to me that he will need to proceed upon the foundation of what he is already sure of. For example, if he is uncertain about God, he might need to become convinced that there really is one true and living God, who is both all powerful and good. Only after he desires communion with the true God will he desire to find a church where he can worship the Almighty in Spirit and in truth.

[MaidservantX]

I don't know about scientific, but I think his foundation should be exploring the Church's website Joseph Smith - Home. That's my opinion, and then he can go from there. Good luck. I'm excited for him actually.

[Stone_of_Truth]

You are correct; the wrong type of "investigation" can lead to anti-material, and that is always bad. I would stay away from things like FARMS, it is good to remember to have the milk before the meet, and stuff like FARMS isn't really that "spritually nutritional".

If he wants some additional reading beyond the scriptures than the next best thing is The Missionay Library. You can get it at any LDS book store or distribution center, or online. Those have some of the best information you will ever find.

The Truman Madsen lectures are great also. Any thing on church history by Susan Easton Black is amazing. the video Joseph Smith: An American Prophet is very spiritual.

ans 'Six' is right, its the Spirit that will convert even if he is looking for a so called "logical" or "scientific" answer. Spirutal matters make sense when considered in the Spirit.

good lcuk

[fiona84]

Thanks everyone...my husband just had me read out all of your answers to him (he's cooking dinner on the other side of the room).

prisonchaplain, he said sometimes he wonders about God in general, but 'mostly just joseph smith' that he has doubts about.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

What are his doubts and why does he have them? I mean - doubting the "Joseph Smith story" is a bit vague. Try to get him to be specific; does he take issue with:

A 14 year old prophet? (What about Samuel in the OT?)
God and Christ appearing together? (Look up Stephen in Acts)
God and Christ as seperate beings vs the Trinity? ( LDS.org - Topic Definition - Godhead )

I could go on, there are dozens of specific doubts a person can have. My point is that your husband isn't going to find his answers if he doesn't ask the right questions. Once you and him know specificaly where his doubts are, you can begin to focus on resolving them.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by fiona84

prisonchaplain, he said sometimes he wonders about God in general, but 'mostly just joseph smith' that he has doubts about.

My logical and scientific mind tell me that before he can grapple with the veracity of Joseph Smith's claims, he really needs to become deeply hungry for righteousness, through God. What's the point of believing Joseph Smith is a true prophet if one is not even that passionate about the God he is supposed to represent. So, imho, a first step might be to pray that your husband would develop a deep desire to know God. Figuring who best represents him is an afterthought--again, imho.

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by fiona84

Any good resources for him to do research?

And I suppose one fear is that his research will lead him to anti-mormon material online. I've been there, done that, and know how confusing it can be.

And I'm not even a logic/science/fact kind of person.

Thanks everyone.

One of the weapons of sites critical to the Church is history. Unfortunately somewhere along the way, faith promoting legends got substituted for some Church history, and so when members and investigators run across the discrepancy between the two they can become disconcerted. Just know that such discrepancies exist and that you will run across them as you do research. When you have questions about this material, feel free to bring it to a forum such as this to discuss in a supportive atmosphere.