Mormonism says:
Ezekiel 37:15-17, THE work of the LORD came again unto me, saying. Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
Mormonism teaches that this is a prophesy of Joseph Smith with the restored Book of Mormon (Stick of Ephraim meaning scroll of Book of Mormon), and the Bible (Stick of Judah meaning scroll of the Bible), and bringing these two books together, (One in thine hand). Mormonism teaches that the two sticks mentioned hear are scrolls. Parchment wrapped around a stick, an early version of a book. Thus showing, according to Mormon Doctrine, that the Bible prophesied not only Joseph Smith but also the restoration of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ to be used with the Bible.
The Bible says:
First, this is Ezekiel, prophesying the gathering of the 12 tribes of Israel in the end times that have not yet been fulfilled. The tribe of Judah being over the 2 tribes of the southern kingdom and the tribe of Ephraim being over the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom, (see Hosea 1:1, all of chapter 5 and Amos 1:1)
Second, the Joseph that is referred too here is the father of Ephraim and Manasseh (read Genesis 48:5,15,16,19) not Joseph Smith.
Third, the sticks mentioned in these verses are not scrolls or books but staffs with the 2 ruling tribes names upon them (Ephraim and Judah). In Numbers 17:2 says, to take each father of each tribe and write their name upon a rod, twelve rods.
The Hebrew word and meaning for rod (Mattaw, a branch as a tribe, a rod, a scepter, a staff).
The Hebrew word and meaning for stick in Ezekiel 37:15-17 (Ophereth, a tree, pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber).
The stick (Ophereth) is a description of its material makeup and a rod (Mattaw) is a description of its use.
Fourth, a good rule-of-thumb to understanding scripture in its context is to read at least 20 verses before and 20 verses after the scriptures being studied. In Ezekiel 37:18-22 explains that God will make them (Ephraim the northern kingdom, Judah the southern kingdom) one nation again and they will not be divided into two kingdoms any more.
Fifth, Ezekiel describes a book (scroll) in chapter 2:9-10 and it is not a stick.
