QUESTION: Is Ezekiel 37:16-17 a prophecy of the Book of Mormon?
ANSWER: Please read Ezekiel 37:16-17. [Mormons claim that the two sticks were scrolls and that Judah’s stick represents the Bible while Ephraim’s is the book of Mormon which was written by some of Joseph’s descendants who made it to America (and translated by Joseph Smith). Thus, they say, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are to be joined (used) together.]
A reply to this is actually very simple due to the fact that God placed a safeguard against such erroneous manipulations of His Word by giving the explanation in subsequent verses! But, before considering those verses, it is interesting to notice the setting in which the verses in question are found. Chapters 33-48 contain words of (1) hope to Israel when they were (to be) carried away into the Babylonian captivity of 586 BC, and (2) promises of return to their homeland. Even the vision in the first part of the chapter (hopeless dry bones of which God restored with flesh and life [37:1-14]) signified that God would “place you in your own land” (37:12,14).
Immediately following this vision is the message of the two sticks of which God explains Himself in verses 21-22. One stick represented the nation of Israel and the other the nation of Judah. Both of these nations (not books) would be united into one kingdom. Thus, a message of hope to Israel (while in Babylon) that they would be returned to their homeland–and not a prophecy of the Book of Mormon.
Gary Henson