Anti-Mormon Claims
Anti-Mormon Claimsmagicfolk religionseer stone

Magic, Folk Religion, and Joseph Smith

Was Mormonism born out of occult magic?

Bible

They quote this

Bible · Acts 8:9–13

KJV + NRSVUE

King James Version

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery… But when they believed Philip… they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also.

NRSVUE

Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city… But when they believed Philip… they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed.

Our explanation

Simon Magus tries to buy the gift. That is the warning — not a ban on Moses’ rod.

Modern Revelation

Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–14

Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

Our explanation

Preach my gospel by the Spirit, not by some other way.

Faithful answers

FAIR

Magic and the Restoration

FAIR Latter-day Saints

D. Michael Quinn’s 'magic worldview' file is real culture history and a poor theology. Biblical religion is full of objects, dreams, angels, and stones. The line the Restoration draws is authority: gifts under priesthood and covenant, not freelance conjuring. Simon Magus believed and still had to be rebuked. Joseph was called, not hired as a village wizard.

If your test of a prophet is 'never lived in the nineteenth century,' you will not find one.

  • Folk culture is the soil, not the crop.
  • Urim and Thummim are canon, not occult.
  • The Church’s ordinances are public in purpose and priestly in order.
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Suggested videos

Faithful voices only. Most of these are independent — not official Church productions unless marked as such.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Did Joseph Smith Use A Seer Stone? | Now You Know

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Further reading

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