Additional note about Moroni. He claims he was once a man. However, based on the scriptures I'v read and what I've been taught, angels are angels and men are men. Mankind do not become angels upon their death and angels (contrary to the cinema) do not become fully human. (Though of course they could appear as human if the Lord deems it.)
If Joseph Smith saw anything (which I highly doubt) it definitely wasn't a messenger of God.
Dave
[ July 22, 2001: Message edited by: Dajuid ]
The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:8-9 about such an experience that Joseph Smith had with the so-called "Angel" Moroni. Basically, what Paul wrote was a very serious warning to anyone who not only falls for this Satanic deceit, but also influences others to trust in that so-called "experience." Our first patents had such an encounter with something that Genesis 3:1 called a "Serpent." Today we usually think of such a creature as a "serpent" to be some snake-like creature. However, the Hebrew word
nabas can ANY kind of mythological creature. IMHO, the point that God used some "creature" isn't the main thing He wants us to know. His main point was to obey what He already told Adam to do---Obey His commands, & only His commands. Sly being that Satan always has been, he didn't come right out and say, "Disobey God," but rather only to cast some doubt in Adam's mind, e.i., "Did God REALLY say that? Or did God want you to believe that He had some ulterior in mind. ANYTHING that can cause us to question God is a very dangerous position for us as His creation. Not only were Joseph Smith & his followers banned from rural western NY state, but ultimately they had to flee out of the then organized state region east of the MS River, but on to Indian territories. Many of the Indian societies well well-experienced in Satan's deceptive ways; thus, many of the Indian societies not only allowed them to settle amongst them, but also to some extent WELCOMED Joseph Smith's followers. (NOTE: Joseph Smith was "murdered" before he & his "disciples" set foot W of the MS River. In reality, his underling Brigham Young led the bulk of Smith's followers to what's now called Utah [UT].}. Don't be fooled by these clean-cut looking young men (Usally on bicycles) that are on many of our streets today. They really aren't "messengers sent out on their own accord." What they are are actually "J. Smith and/or B. Young's disciples-in-training. the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:9 states that we as true Bible believers should consider these men to be "cursed"! IOW, don't even let them into your homes, & don't accept any material(s) from them. It will only deceive you & your family!