"Mormonism is a cult" - the late Rev. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Ministries - Ft. Lauderdale (we discussed religion and politics on several occasions)

Mitt Romney being a Mormon has put this Christian denomination under the microscope recently. Most are aware the Joseph Smith produced the Book of Mormon when he claimed to have discovered buried gold plates that were written in an ancient language that he alone translated into 'King's English'. No one else ever saw these gold plates! So now everyone today has to form a conclusion one way or the other: is the Book of Mormon truth and the story of its discovery true or is it fiction presented as truth through a history that is a BIG lie?

I've read and studied the Book of Mormon, and acknowledge there are many positive lessons to be learned from it. I've discussed it with several Mormons. I have some friends that are Mormons - including a close friend and his family - that are outstanding citizens and very respectful. However, I'm convinced that the Book of Mormon when presented as history is a fraud! The native Americans are NOT "a lost tribe of Israel" which is the main premise of the book. The second premise of Jesus having made it to the Americas is theoretically possible, but the probability is highly unlikely!

I'm convinced that Joseph Smith concocted the whole thing as a way to mislead people to being under his control and Brigham Young and other early Mormon leaders were in on the whole disception. The motives of today's Mormon leaders may not be as flagrantly deceptive, but then again, they may be just as bad!