Joseph Smith said he restored the church of Jesus Christ.
Series · Mormonism 4 of 5
Joseph Smith said he restored the church of Jesus Christ.
The same man kept a Jupiter talisman — a magic square from Barrett’s The Magus — invoked for riches, favor, power, and influence over people, including women.
That is not a hymnbook. That is ceremonial magic. Reed Durham, LDS Institute director, stood in front of the Mormon History Association and named it.
Emma called it one of the prophet’s intimate possessions. Sandra Tanner: he wanted money, power, and women — and he kept the object.
Whether it was in the Carthage pocket or not is argued. The kind of object is not. You cannot claim the name of Christ and practice the table of Jupiter.
Scripture already closed that door.
Full video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qN6au6sDcI
“There shall not be found among you any one that… useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter… or a consulter with familiar spirits.”
Deuteronomy 18:10–11
“Should not a people seek unto their God?”
Isaiah 8:19
“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them.”
Acts 19:19
“No man can serve two masters.”
Matthew 6:24
Christ or the talisman. Not both.