I find that the hardest thing for people to accept about our church is that Joseph Smith was actually called to be a prophet by a direct visitation from God and Christ.

This difficulty to accept contemporary prophets has always existed though.  From the very beginning of recorded history, down through the time of Christ and his apostles, people have had a hard time believing living prophets and have often persecuted and even killed them.  Joseph, himself was shot by a mob who thought his death would end this so called, "restored Church".

Today we see the literal fulfillment of a prophecy made by the heavenly messenger, Moroni, who brought to Joseph Smith the ancient record from which the Book of Mormon was translated.  He told young Joseph that his "...name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people" (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:33).

There are many who try to discredit him by saying that The Book of Mormon is fiction.  Most who say this have never read it and if they have, they certainly have not genuinely put the promise to the test that Moroni made.  (He was the last prophet who wrote in it up until the year 421 AD.)  He wrote,
"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. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:4-5)

It is very interesting to me that the Bible is to be interpreted with that same spiritual understanding as explained by Peter,
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
(New Testament | 2 Peter 1:20 - 21)

I am amazed to learn of so many supposed Christians and even very many of the clergy, who even question the authenticity of the Bible.  They say just what you have said about the Book of Mormon relating to the validity of the stories of the Old Testament.

Even though I have never heard one thing that has cast a shadow of doubt upon the validity and truth of the scriptures including the Book of Mormon, I have never found a way to prove scientifically or intellectually the truth of them.  I have personally seen much archeological evidence corroborating the Book of Mormon's authenticity, and the evidence seems to grow every year.

Some of those early American inhabitants had Hieroglyphic like writings and Pyramid like temples, evidence of their possible Middle Eastern and Israelite origins.  I have never known, however, anyone who has changed their opinion about the book or Joseph Smith because of these evidences.  The genuine seeker must "...ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."  (James 1:5-6)

I don't know if this is the answer you were looking for, but it is the reason that I love the Book of Mormon of which I have been a student since I was sixteen years old.  I do hope, however, that it will help you understand how we can trust the Prophet Joseph Smith as well as our Prophets and Apostles living today and why the church is growing so fast.  Truly, in this day, Joseph Smith is being spoken of for good or evil in every nation.

Thanks again for your question,

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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