A Familiar Spirit and Mormonism

"Those who are well acquainted with the teachings of the Bible know that the words "familiar spirit" are always connected with witchcraft." (Mormonism, Magic and Masonry, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1988, pg. 60)

The teachings in the Bible are clear that "familiar spirit" is based on evil. According to Sandra Tanner, those words are used fifteen times in the Bible. Take a little time and look up a few of the verses for yourself:
Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27
2 Kings 21:6; 23:24
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
2 Chronicles 33:6
1Samuel 28: 3, 7-9
Deuteronomy 18:10, 11
Isaiah 8:19
Isaiah 19:3
Isaiah 29:1-4

"familiar spirit, the spirit of a dead person, allegedly consulted by mediums who issued prophetic advice of a secular sort. Consultation of mediums was forbidden in the O.T. (Lev. 19:31, 20:6, 27; Deut. 18:11) as apostasy from Yahweh. Mediums were punishable by death. King Saul had put "those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land" (1 Sam. 28:3)...Josiah put away familiar spirits, together with many other "abominations" (II Kings 23:24). Isaiah (8:19, see also Isa. 19:3, 29:4) protested against consultation with those who had familiar spirits, and "wizards that peep, and that mutter." (Harper's Bible Dictionary, Madeleine S. and J. Lane Miller, Harper & Brothers, Publishers, New York, 1988, pg. 185)

Within Mormonism, their authorities (who are following after Joe Smith) have staked a claim on Isaiah 29:1-4. They say that it is a prophecy of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The truth is - this particular passage of scripture is a prediction of the destruction of Ariel, the city of Jerusalem. It is not what Mormonism claims it to be. Christianity and Judaism both know the correct translation and meaning of this scripture, Mormonism does not.

The Mormon apologetic's have given their best shot at trying to rationalize the Book of Mormon's use of the term "Familiar Spirits" written in 2 Nephi 26:15-17. "The word "familiar" has several meanings in English, according to Hoskisson. The most common meaning is "to be acquainted with." Hoskisson showed how applying this understanding of the word affects how the scripture is interpreted. It is certainly true that the Book of Mormon will have a spirit about it that will be familiar to those who know the Bible; they will recognize the same spirit in both books, he wrote." (Mormon Times) [Love how they twist the words around, cleaver, very sneaky!]

The Bible and the Book of Mormon do not have the same spirit - The Bible has the Spirit of God, the Book of Mormon has the spirit of Satan.

"In the light of these references, the Apostle Richard's statement that the "Book of Mormon...has a familiar spirit," appears to be nothing to boast about...Joseph Smith tried to tie into the Isaiah passage by claiming that the words found in the Book of Mormon would be "as one that hath a familiar spirit" (2 Nephi 26:16). Smith's use of these words certainly casts serious doubt on the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon." (Mormonism, Magic and Masonry, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1988, pg. 60)

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Michigan, United States
I spent a lot of time deciding if I should write this blog or not. I'm not a great writer and I'm not going to pretend to be. I need to share what I have learned and I might not make some people happy with what I am saying. This blog is a way for me to release the thoughts and feelings that come with knowing I grew up in the wrong religion. A healing process if you will.

How To Read This Blog

Please start with the month of February 2007 and read backwards. This is the most effective way to understand, in order, why I say what I do.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.