MORMONS
Official Name:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormons)
Founder:
Joseph Smith Jr., on April 6, 1830
Current Leader(s)
Gordon B. Hinckley (b. 1910)
Headquarters:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Membership:
(1998): Worldwide: 10.3 million in 28,670 wards and branches in 162 countries; United States: 5.1 million in all 50 states and D.C.; Canada: 152,000.
Missionaries (1998): 58,700
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph F. Smith Jr. (1805-1844). Smith claimed to have had a visitation from God in 1820 in which God directed him to establish the true church. Consequently he organized the Mormon Church on April 6, 1830, with six original members. Beginning with a few hundred followers the church moved to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois before Smith's death at the hands of a mob at the Carthage, Ill., jail. Smith had been arrested for encouraging the destruction of the Expositor, a Nauvoo, Ill., newspaper. After Smith's death, Brigham Young was affirmed as president of the church by a majority of the church's leaders and led several thousand followers to Utah where they established Salt Lake City in 1847. Joseph Smith's widow, Emma, resided in Independence, Mo. Those who affirmed her son, Joseph Smith, as the true successor of his father and as prophet of the church helped found the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now headquartered in Independence, Mo., in 1852.
Major Beliefs: One True Church:
The Mormon church claims to be the only true church. In God's supposed revelation to Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ told him to join no other church for they were all wrong . . . their creeds were an abomination . . . those professors [members] were all corrupt (The Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History 1:19). Mormons teach that after the New Testament all churches became heretical and no true saints existed until the Church of the Latter-day Saints was organized, hence their name. Non-Mormons are thus called Gentiles. The new revelations given to Smith, the institution of the prophet and apostles in the church, the restoration of the divine priesthoods, and the temple ceremonies make the church authentic. True and full salvation or exaltation is found only in the LDS Church.
Biblical Response:
The true church of Jesus Christ has had an ongoing presence and witness in the world since Pentecost. Jesus Christ promised that His church, true baptized and regenerate believers, would not fail (Matt. 16:17-18). The marks of a true church include faithfulness to the teaching of the first apostles (Acts 2:42) not the creation of new doctrines.
Authority Of The Prophet:
The president or prophet of the Church is thought to be the sole spokesman and revelator of God. Joseph Smith was the initial prophet, but each successive president holds that position. Through him God's will can be made known to the church. All revelations are made scripture and no Mormon can attain godhood without accepting Joseph Smith as a true prophet. The Mormon scriptures state that Latter-day Saints shalt give heed unto all his [the prophet s] words and commandments . . . For his word ye shall receive as if from mine [God s] own mouth (Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-5).
Biblical Response:
Old and New Testament prophets were God's spokesmen. Their words were always consistent with the Bible and pointed to God's Son, Jesus Christ. A test of genuineness for prophets was that any prediction they proclaimed would come true (Deut. 18:20-22). For example, Joseph Smith predicted that the temple of the church would be built in Independence, Mo., within his lifetime (Doctrine and Covenants 84:2-5). No temple has yet been built there. New Testament prophets spoke, along with teachers, pastors and evangelists, in evangelizing with and edifying the church (Eph. 4:11-13).
Mormon Scripture:
Mormons accept four books as scripture and the word of God. The King James Version of the Bible is one of them, but only as far as it is translated correctly seemingly allowing for possible questions about its authority. Joseph Smith made over 600 corrections to its text. Other standard works are the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The Bible is missing plain and precious parts according to the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 13:26) which the other three volumes complete. The Book of Mormon has the fullness of the gospel and tells the story of a supposed migration of Israelites in 600 B.C. to the American continent. These Israelites subsequently lapsed into apostasy although their story was preserved on golden plates written in Reformed Egyptian. Joseph Smith, it is said, translated the plates by the gift and power of God (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3). Reformed Egyptian does not exist as a language. The golden plates were returned to the angel Moroni after they were transcribed and Moroni returned them to heaven. The Book of Mormon does not contain explicit Mormon doctrine. Doctrines and Covenants contains the revelations of the Mormon prophets 138 in number along with two declarations. Here most of Mormon doctrine can be found including the priesthood, baptism for the dead, godhood, and polygamy. The Pearl of Great Price contains Smith's religious history, the Articles of Faith, the Book of Abraham, and the Book of Moses.
Biblical Response:
The Bible explicitly warns against adding to or detracting from its teaching (Rev. 22:18; Deut. 4:2). The New Testament contains the inspired and totally accurate witness of contemporary disciples and followers of Jesus. It alone claims to be fully inspired of God and usable for the establishment of doctrine. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
Establishment of Temples:
The first Mormon temple was constructed in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836. Subsequently, a temple was constructed in Nauvoo, Ill., in 1846. Presently there are at least 53 operating temples throughout the world including the one finished in Salt Lake City in 1893. The purpose and function of temples is for the practice of eternal ordinances including primarily baptism for the dead, endowments, and celestial marriages. Baptism in the Mormon church, for both the living and the dead, is essential for the fullness of salvation. The dead often are baptized by proxy which affords them after death the opportunity to become Mormons. Celestial marriage for time and eternity is also a temple ordinance. It is necessary for godhood and seals the marriage forever. Temples form an essential part of Mormon salvation. Only Mormons in possession of a temple recommend by their bishop may enter a temple.
Biblical Response:
The Temple of the Old Testament was a place of symbolic sacrifice forefiguring the sacrifice of Christ. Worship in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem was a practice of early Jewish believers (Acts 2:46). Otherwise there is no mention of any such practice in the New Testament. Never was the Jewish temple used for baptism for the dead, marriage, or other secret ceremonies. It was the place in the Old Testament where the glory of God occasionally dwelt. Today the individual believer is God's dwelling place and not a physical building (1 Cor. 3:16).
God Is An Exalted Man:
Elohim, the god of this universe, was previously a man in a prior existence. As a result of having kept the requirements of Mormonism, he was exalted to godhood and inherited his own universe. God is confined to a body of flesh and bones (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) and yet is thought to be omniscient and omnipotent. He obviously cannot be omnipresent. There are an infinite number of gods with their own worlds these too were previously men. The Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father comprise three separate and distinct gods. Heavenly Father sires spiritual children in heaven destined for human life on earth. All humans, as well as Jesus Christ and Lucifer, are god's heavenly children. (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) God, Jesus, and the Spirit thus had beginnings.)
Biblical Response:
God is Spirit and is not confined to a physical body (John 4 :24). Jesus Christ was incarnated through a miraculous and non-physical conception through the Virgin Mary. He was fully God from the beginning (John 1:1). Together with the person of the Holy Spirit they form the triune (three in one) eternal God.
Jesus Is God's Son:
Jesus was Heavenly Father's firstborn spirit child in heaven. He was begotten by God through Mary as in a literal, full and complete sense in the same sense in which he is the son of Mary (Bruce McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 67). These two elements of Jesus being literally God's son form his uniqueness in Mormon theology. In the Garden of Gethsemane as well as on the cross Jesus atoned for Adam's sin and guaranteed all humankind resurrection and immortality. Jesus visited the Israelites or Indians of North America after his resurrection and established the true church among them. We are the spiritual, but literal, younger brothers and sisters of Christ. Some Mormon documents claim that Jesus was married at Cana in Galilee (Mark 2) and had children himself.
Biblical Response:
Jesus is viewed as God, the Word or Son, eternally existent with the Father and worthy of identity as God (John 1:1-14). He was born of the Virgin Mary who had conceived him supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of the world, and was raised from the dead. He will come again and reign as Lord of Lords.
Humans Are Gods In Embryo:
Every human being has the potential of becoming a god by keeping the requirements of Mormonism. A well-known statement within Mormonism is, "As man is god once was, as god is man may become." From a prior spirit existence in heaven, humans may be born on earth in order to exercise freedom to choose good or evil and to have a body for the resurrection. Basically humans are good, but they will be punished for their sin. But by keeping Mormon teaching and obeying the church and the Prophet, after the resurrection worthy Mormon males may pass the celestial guards, bring their wives with them, and achieve a status similar to Elohim the god of this world. The consequences of their sin are erased by their allegiance to the tenets of Mormonism. In resurrection faithful Mormons receive exaltation to godhood and will exercise dominion over their world.
Biblical Response:
Human beings are God's special creation. There is no evidence from scripture of preexistence, rather God acknowledges that it was in the womb of our mothers that he formed us (Isaiah 44:2). A sinful nature is part of humanity s experience. Liberation from the power and presence of sin is experienced as a result of faith in Christ. At that point God's image is begun to be remade in every Christian. While being transformed to Christlikeness the Bible does not teach literal godhood as the inheritance of the saints (Rom. 8:29; Rev. 1:5-6).
Mormon Plan:
The Mormon plan of salvation is built on the idea that all people have eternal life, but only the most faithful Mormons have godhood or enter the celestial Kingdom. In order to obtain this ultimate step, Mormons must exercise faith in the God of Mormonism, its Christ, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; exercise repentance; and be baptized in the LDS Church. Additionally Mormons must keep the Word of Wisdom by abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine; tithe to the church; attend weekly sacrament meetings; support the Mormon prophet; do temple works; and be active in their support of the church.
Biblical Response:
Salvation, according to the Bible, is due to God's grace and love. He provided Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is through faith in the crucified and risen Jesus that we may be saved. Works are excluded (John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9-13; Eph. 2:8-9).
Evangelizing Mormons:
Phil Roberts, Director of Interfaith Evangelism
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BOOK OF MORMON
Is It "Another Testament of Jesus Christ?"
The setting is a college library. An attractive young woman speaks to the television audience: " The Book of Mormon is a gift from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when you call this toll-free number. Its teachings have given me a real peace that comes from understanding the Savior and what my Father in heaven's plan is for me today and after this life. So please call, because I know it can give you that same peace."
The spokeswoman represents one of the fastest-growing religious movements in America today: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as the Mormons. This controversial religious movement in recent years has intensified its public relations activities nationwide via television, radio, and magazine advertisements. Central to the LDS public relations campaign is distribution of its well known, yet little understood publication: The Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus Christ (hereafter referred to by its traditional title, The Book of Mormon).
Who Are the Mormons?
Since its beginnings in 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown from six original members to more than 10.1 million in 1997 (5 million in the U.S.).
An even more startling statistic is that the LDS now has more than 56,000 missionaries under appointment in 162 countries. Most of these are young men and women taking time out of college to serve two-year terms wherever the church sends them.
Worldwide, the LDS has more than 28,000 local congregations and 54 temples. LDS temples are special buildings designed for Mormons to conduct secret ceremonies necessary to prepare them for eternal life. These rituals include Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, and the endowment ceremonies. Only those Mormons holding an approved "recommend" from their bishop may enter the temples.
The LDS has attracted the concern of Baptists and other evangelical groups in recent years. One reason is the LDS' aggressive missionary program among members of Christian churches. In recent years, the LDS has portrayed itself as a Christian denomination with a few distinctive emphases. Christian theologians, however, know that Mormonism is essentially different in its basic theological structure from that of historic Christianity. Mormons believe, for example, that God, called Heavenly Father, is a physical man of flesh and bone who once lived on a world like our own. Through righteous living, obedience to his Heavenly Father, and Celestial Marriage, he progressed to become the god of our universe. Mormons maintain that humans are the literal, procreated spirit children of Heavenly Father and his wife. The goal of all good Mormons is also to progress to the Celestial Kingdom (the highest level of heavenly glory) and become gods of other worlds.
Mormons are undeniably polytheistic. Jesus Christ, according to LDS doctrine, is also one of Heavenly Father's spirit children who has attained godhood. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three of many gods of other worlds.
Mormonism and the Bible
The official LDS statement of faith is its 13 "Articles of Faith" written by founder Joseph Smith Jr. Article eight says, "We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly."3 That statement seems to affirm what Baptists and other Christians regard to be true about the Bible that it is the inspired Word of God. However, we must not overlook a significant qualification placed on the Bible by Smith. Smith said the Bible is the Word of God only "as far as it is translated correctly. " Mormons claim the Bible is an inspired book; nonetheless, they teach that in its current, standard form, it is a flawed record of God's Word.
Smith insisted that texts utilized in the translation of all Bible versions were corrupted by the "apostate church" a few centuries after the New Testament era. He asserted that many "plain and precious parts" of the original biblical texts were altered so that Mormonism was removed. Due to this supposed corruption, Smith contended that a total restoration of original Christianity was necessary. He claimed that God led him, in 1830, to restore the true church to the earth complete with its prophetic office and authoritative priesthoods.4
In 1831, Smith started work on a "corrected translation" of the Bible. Smith's translation actually was a revision of the King James Version and contains hundreds of additions and changes, including the deletion of one entire book! 5
Christians should realize the fallacies of Smith's view of the Bible. To begin with, there is no indication of an apostate church to which Mormons refer. Genuine Christianity never was eliminated from the earth. Second, the argument that the Hebrew and Greek texts were corrupted, several centuries after Christ, is invalid. The textual evidence for both the Old and New Testaments has been verified by scholars from numerous ancient sources. Some Old Testament texts, found recently, actually date to a couple centuries before Christ. Textual studies confirm the accuracy of the current standard Greek and Hebrew texts of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon
As we have seen, the LDS' contention that the Bible is unreliable is unwarranted. But what of their other so-called "standard works"? The LDS' eighth Article of Faith also says, "We believe The Book of Mormon to be the word of God." The ninth article further states, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."6
The above statements imply that the Bible is not the only or final revelation from God. Mormons assert that their other "standard works" are also divinely inspired and that additional revelation may come through their living prophet, the president of their church.
The best known of these additional scriptures is The Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that The Book of Mormon is actually a compilation of 15 ancient books originally written from 600 B.C. to A.D. 400. Mormons claim that Joseph Smith Jr., a New York farm boy, uncovered a set of golden plates, upon which were inscribed a record of the events and lives of people in pre-Columbian America. The inscriptions supposedly were written in a language called "reformed Egyptian," which Smith was able to decipher miraculously and publish as The Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon purportedly is the history of ancient American people who were descendants of pre-Babylonian exilic Jews. Led by a prophet named Lehi, Jewish refugees sailed to America about 600 B.C. and established a civilization in the New World. The descendants of Lehi divided into two groups--the Nephites, a race of righteous white people, and the Lamanites, a race of warlike, evil, and darkskinned people. The Lamanites, according to Mormon teaching, were the ancestors of the Native American population of today. The Nephites, Mormons say, were destroyed in a series of battles with the Lamanites. The last Nephite leader, a man named Mormon, supposedly collected the records of his people and inscribed them on golden plates. His son, Moroni, the last surviving Nephite, buried the plates in a hill in what later became Manchester County, New York. The plates were recovered by Smith, in 1827, when the resurrected Moroni, appearing as an angel, told him where to dig for them. Moroni later took the plates to heaven.
The most remarkable aspects of The Book of Mormon accounts were the reported religious practices of the ancient Americans. The Nephites, we are told, continued their Jewish traditions on this continent-building temples to God; having spiritual revivals; and, most significantly, establishing a Christian church. The Book of Mormon's most spectacular recorded event was a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus Christ Himself among the Nephite people (3 Nephi 11). Thus the LDS contends that The Book of Mormon is "another testament of Jesus Christ."
Today, Mormons use The Book of Mormon in much the same way that Christians use and study the Bible. They maintain that their book contains the "fullness of the everlasting gospel" that was lost by the early apostate churches in the Old World. They say that Smith was a latter-day prophet of God who restored true Christianity to the earth.
How Mormons Use The Book of Mormon
Mormons maintain that Christians, and non-Christians alike, must leave their own faiths and become members of the LDS. Mormon missionaries have, as their sole task, the proclamation of the "gospel" of the "restored church." One method for introducing people to Mormonism is through the publication and distribution of The Book of Mormon. Mormons give interested nonmembers free copies in the hope they will read it and become convinced of its validity. Mormons point to a section of The Book of Mormon that promises, "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4).8
Mormons believe a key element for converting people to Mormonism is to convince them to believe The Book of Mormon and to pray for a "testimony" of the true church. Mormons describe this experience as a subjective "burning in their bosom" confirming their church's claims. Most IDS converts do not make an objective, scholarly investigation of Mormonism. Investigators who look closely at the origins, history, and contents of The Book of Mormon usually come to radically different conclusions about the truth of Mormonism.
Origin of The Book of Mormon
Mormons say that The Book of Mormon was written by divinely inspired ancient Americans and later was miraculously translated by Joseph Smith Jr. In order for Christians or others to accept these claims, Mormons must demonstrate that their version of the Book of Mormon's origin and story is historically accurate. The burden of proof rests on two points. First, can the Mormons show sufficient evidence, apart from The Book of Mormon itself, to corroborate its historical record? Second, can the Mormons establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Smith's account of the discovery and translation of the Book of Mormon is true? A closer look at the objective evidence does not confirm IDS assertions.
Archaeology and The Book of Mormon
Christians do not claim that the science of archaeology "proves" the Bible is a supernaturally inspired book. Nonetheless, archaeological research has provided evidence for the historical reliability of the Bible. Many discoveries have confirmed names, cities, geographic locations, dates, political leaders, and other incidental information mentioned by the biblical writers. Even some skeptics have been amazed by the accuracy of the biblical data.
The Bible, therefore, is supported in its truth claims by the corroborating evidence of geography and archaeology. That assertion cannot be said for The Book of Mormon. Several decades of archaeological research, funded by LDS institutions, concentrating in Central America and Mexico, have yielded nothing that corroborates the historical events described in The Book of Mormon.
The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History for a number of years has distributed a written statement denying The Book of Mormon is a valid guide for archaeological exploration."10 All evidence contradicts The Book of Mormon's accounts about the origin of American Indians; the earliest explorations of the New World; plant and animal life in the Americas; use of metal, steel, and silk by ancient Americans, and other supposed similarities between pre-Columbian Indian cultures and those of the Old World.
What does this mean practically? Suppose there was no external evidence for any of the events described in the Bible? What if no one knew where the countries of ancient Israel, Judah, Egypt, or Babylon were located? What if there was no other evidence that the cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Athens, or even Rome ever existed? The absence of any corroborative evidence from external sources would cast a dark shadow of doubt on the Bible itself, would it not?
The Life of Joseph Smith Jr.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints always have regarded Joseph Smith Jr. as one of the greatest religious leaders of all history. They regard him as an inspired prophet. However, on examination of the historical evidence about the life of Smith, one is led to a different sort of person than is usually presented in official LDS literature. In recent decades, vast amounts of documentation concerning the events of Smith's life and the early Mormon movement have come to light. Documented evidence conclusively ties Smith to occult practices, bank fraud, polygamy, and other biblically condemned acts.
Also, scholars have demonstrated Smith's possible utilization of other works upon which he may have based The Book of Mormon story. For example, Smith likely had access to several books written in the early 1800s containing fictional scenarios similar to that in The Book of Mormon.
Other theories have been put forth as to how Smith wrote The Book of Mormon. Probably the best explanation is that he borrowed the ideas of several previous authors, combined them with story lines and passages taken from the King James Version of the Bible, and then wrote The Book of Mormon himself. Mormons sometimes argue that Smith was uneducated and did not have the capability of writing a book as complex as The Book of Mormon. The facts show, however, that Smith was literate and had access to several libraries near his home.
Fawn Brodie, Smith's biographer, believed that he was an intelligent and charismatic young man. She argued that he was more than capable of concocting the imaginative tales contained in The Book of Mormon. Whatever the origin of Smith's ideas, the evidence indicates that he had access to numerous resources and possessed the ability to draw them together in writing.
Changes in The Book of Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that Smith translated The Book of Mormon miraculously, using tools provided by the angel Moroni. They maintain that he recorded the words given him by God and thus ultimately was not responsible for the production of the Book of Mormon in its final English form. It was entirely a divine process.
If that is true, then the LDS is hard put to explain why there have been numerous revisions and changes in the Book of Mormon in the 160 years since the original edition. Former Mormons, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, have documented nearly 4,000 changes in The Book of Mormon from its original edition. Though most changes were corrections of errors in grammar and spelling, some had significant historical, theological, and doctrinal implications. If The Book of Mormon was miraculously translated as Smith claimed, why the need for so many revisions? The Tanners' observation probably answers the question:
"When a person examines the unchanged text of the 1830 (original) edition of The Book of Mormon it becomes very obvious that it was written by someone without a great deal of education. The style and the type of mistakes that are found in the first edition of the Book of Mormon are similar to those found in (another) document written by Joseph Smith in the early 1830's . " 11
Christians affirm the inspiration and authority of the Bible. However, the original texts of the biblical books were not written in English. Biblical authors wrote in Hebrew, Koine Greek, and, in a few instances, Aramaic. Thus, we do not confer the same level of inspiration for any translation as we do for the original autographs in their original languages. Translators are obliged to review carefully the biblical texts in their original languages when doing their work. Translation is a difficult task, and there is rarely universal satisfaction with the final outcome. Revisions and corrections of translations are expected. Only the original Greek and Hebrew texts are invariable.
The LDS, however, maintains that Smith's English version of The Book of Mormon was not subject to human fallibility. Nonetheless, Mormon scholars have had to acknowledge errors and inconsistencies in Smith's original work. In some cases, the changes obviously were made to cover up embarrassing aspects of The Book of Mormon text. An example is 2 Nephi 30:6, a verse promising that in the "latter-days" many Lamanites (American Indians) would convert to Mormonism and receive many blessings. Recent versions of The Book of Mormon state the verse's last phrase to read, -'And many generations shall not pass away among them (the Lamanites), save they shall be a pure and delightsome people."12 All editions published before 1980 stated the verse this way . . . "And many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and delightsome people."13The revision clearly reflects a change in the traditional LDS view that Indians were cursed with dark skin because of their disobedience to God. We ask, by what authority do Mormons make such a change? They answer that their leaders are inspired men, thus they can change anything they deem necessary.
Is The Book of Mormon Mormon?
Obviously, The Book of Mormon does not teach orthodox Christianity; but what is more interesting is that it does not teach Mormonism either. Most LDS doctrines do not originate with The Book of Mormon. LDS teachings concerning the godhead, eternal progression, exaltation to godhood, Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, a "Mother God," polygamy, and a plurality of gods are not in the Book of Mormon. In fact, The Book of Mormon in many cases contradicts those standard LDS doctrines.
LDS doctrinal beliefs are derived essentially from its other two "standard works-: The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) and the Pearl of Great Price (PGP). The D&C contains numerous revelations, supposedly given to Joseph Smith Jr. over a number of years, detailing many doctrinal and practical precepts. The PGP is an additional collection of supposedly inspired texts collected and translated by Smith. One section, entitled The Book of Abraham, has been discredited by Egyptologists examining the Egyptian papyri from which Smith derived his "inspired" translation.
Conclusions
The Bible has withstood the attacks of skeptics for centuries. Christians remain confident that it is the reliable, inspired Word of God. Historical research, archaeology, and textual studies have confirmed its veracity. The Book of Mormon, conversely, lacks even meager support for its historical or theological contents. Christians respect Mormons' lifestyles and affirm their rights to believe and propagate their faith. However, we cannot recognize the Book of Mormon as "another testament of Jesus Christ" or accept Mormonism as authentically Christian.
Notes
Tal Davis, Interfaith Evangelism Associate for Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MORMON CONCEPT OF GOD
"It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God . . . "1 (Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church)
Mormon leaders often like to portray their faith as merely another branch of Christianity which, unlike other branches of Christianity, preaches the entirety of Christ's gospel. However, most people, even some Mormons, are unaware of how radically the Mormon view of God differs from the picture of God one finds in the Bible and traditional Christian theology.
Understanding The Biblical Christian Concept
In order to compare and contrast the Mormon concept of God with the biblical/Christian concept of God, we must first fully understand what we mean by the biblical/Christian concept.
Though there are numerous aspects to God's nature that we could examine (such as that He is a Trinity), for our present purposes it is sufficient to say that the God of biblical Christianity is at least (1) personal and incorporeal (without physical parts), (2) the Creator and sustainer of everything else that exists, (3) omnipotent (all-powerful), (4) omniscient (all-knowing), (5) omnipresent (everywhere present), (6) immutable (unchanging) and eternal, and (7) necessary and the only God that exists. Let us now briefly look at each of these attributes.
1. God is Personal and Incorporeal. According to the Bible, God is a personal being who has all the attributes that we may expect from a perfect person: self-consciousness, the ability to reason, know, love, communicate, and so forth. This is clearly how God is described in the Scriptures (see Gen. 17:11; Ex. 3:14; Jer. 29:11). God is also incorporeal. Unlike humans, God is not uniquely associated with one physical entity (i.e., a body). This is why the Bible refers to God as Spirit (see John 4:24).
2. God is the Creator and Sustainer of Everything Else that Exists. All reality has come into existence and continues to exist because of God. Unlike a god who forms the universe out of preexistent matter, the God of the Bible created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). Consequently, it is on God alone that everything in the universe, indeed, the universe itself, depends for its existence (see Acts 17:25; Rom. 11:36; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 1:16,17; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 4:11).
3. God is Omnipotent. Omnipotence literally means "all-powerful." When we speak of God as omnipotent, this should be understood to mean that God can do anything that is consistent with being a personal, incorporeal, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, wholly good, and necessary Creator. That is to say, since God is perfect, He cannot sin; because He is personal, He is incapable of making Himself impersonal; because He is omniscient, He cannot forget. This is supported by the Bible when its writers assert that God cannot sin (see Mark 10:18; Heb.6:18), cease to exist (see Ex. 3:14; Mal. 3:6), or fail to know something (see Job 28:24; Ps. 139:17-18; Isa. 46:10). Since God is a perfect being, He is incapable of acting in a less than perfect way--which would include sinning, ceasing to exist, and being ignorant. None of this counts against God's omnipotence (or "ability to do everything"), since, as St. Augustine points out, "[n]either do we lessen [God's] power when we say He cannot die or be deceived. This is the kind of inability which, if removed, would make God less powerful than He is . . . It is precisely because He is omnipotent that for Him some things are impossible."2
4. God is Omniscient. God is all-knowing, and His all-knowingness encompasses the past, present, and future. He has absolute and total knowledge. Concerning God's unfathomable knowledge, the psalmist writes: "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you" (Ps. 139:17-18). Elsewhere he writes, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit"(Ps. 147:5). The author of Job writes of God: "For he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens" (Job 28:24). Scripture also teaches that God has total knowledge of the past (see Isa. 41:22). Concerning the future, God says: "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isa. 46:10). Elsewhere Isaiah quotes God as saying that knowledge of the future is essential for deity (see Isa. 41:21-24), something that distinguished God from the many false gods of Isaiah's day.
5. God is Omnipresent. Logically following from God's omniscience, incorporeality, omnipotence, and role as Creator and sustainer of the universe is His omnipresence. Since God is not limited by a spatiotemporal body, knows everything immediately without benefit of sensory organs, and sustains the existence of all that exists, it follows that He is in some sense present everywhere. Certainly it is the Bible's explicit teaching that God is omnipresent (see Ps.139:7-12; Jer. 23:23-24).
6. God is Immutable and Eternal. When a Christian says that God is immutable and eternal, he or she is saying that God is unchanging (see Isa. 46:10; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 6:17) and has always existed as God throughout all eternity (see Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:28; 43:12-13; 57:15; Rom. 1:20; 1 Tim. 1:17). There never was a time when God was not God. Although God certainly seems to change in response to how His creatures behave--such as in the case of the repenting Ninevites--His nature remains the same. A God who is responsive to His creatures is certainly consistent with, and seems to be entailed by, an unchanging nature that is necessarily personal.
Although all biblical Christians agree that God is eternally God, they dispute whether He exists in time (i.e., the temporal eternity view) or out of time (i.e., the timeless eternity view).3
7. God is Necessary and the Only God that Exists. The Bible teaches that although humans at times worship some beings as if these beings were really gods (see 1 Cor. 8:4-6), there is only one true and living God by nature (see Isa. 43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5,18, 21-22; Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Gal. 4:8; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Tim. 2:5). Moreover, since everything that exists depends on God, and God is unchanging and eternal, it follows that God cannot not exist. In other words, He is a necessary being, whereas everything else is contingent (or dependent on God for its existence).
Mormon Concept Of God
Although there is certainly disagreement among Mormon scholars concerning some precise points of doctrine, it is safe to say the LDS church currently teaches that God is, in effect, (1) a contingent being, who was at one time not God (not necessary and not eternally God); (2) limited in knowledge (not truly omniscient), power (not omnipotent), and being (not omnipresent or immutable); (3) one of many gods; (4) a corporeal (bodily) being, who physically dwells at a particular spatiotemporal location and is therefore not omnipresent like the biblical God (respecting His intrinsic divine nature--we are not considering the Incarnation of the Son of God here); and (5) a being who is subject to the laws and principles of a universe He did not create.
The Mormon concept of God can best be grasped by understanding the overall Mormon world view and how the deity fits into it. Mormonism teaches that God the Father is a resurrected,"exalted" human being named Elohim who was at one time not God. Rather, he was once a mortal man on another planet who, through obedience to the precepts of his God, eventually attained exaltation, or godhood, himself through "eternal progression." The Mormon God, located in time and space, has a body of flesh and bone and thus is neither spirit nor omnipresent. Joseph Smith, founder and chief prophet of Mormonism, asserts:
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!... I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute this idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.... It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another, and that He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Himself did; and I will show it from the Bible . . . Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.4
The Father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as man's . . .5
Omniscience, according to Mormon theology, is one of the attributes one attains when reaching godhood. Mormons appear to be divided, however, on the meaning of omniscience. It seems that some Mormons believe omniscience to mean that God has absolute and total knowledge about the past, present, and future.6 This view is consistent with the biblical view. However, the dominant Mormon tradition teaches that God increases in knowledge and, consequently, God does not have absolute and total knowledge.7 This is why Brigham Young, Smith's successor as president of the Mormon church, and his counselors pronounced (both in 1860 and 1865) as false doctrine Orson Pratt's claim that "God cannot learn new truths."8 Ironically, Pratt's claim is consistent with the biblical view of God. Wilford Woodruff, a recognized Mormon authority, taught, "God Himself is increasing and progressing in knowledge, power, and dominion and will do so worlds without end."9 And yet another church authority, Lorenzo Snow, declared, "We will continue on improving, advancing, and increasing in wisdom, intelligence, power, and dominion, worlds without end."10
Once Elohim attained godhood he then created this present world by "organizing" both eternally preexistent, inorganic matter and the preexistent primal intelligences from which human spirits are made. Mormon scholar Hyrum L. Andrus explains:
Though man's spirit is organized from a pure and fine substance which possesses certain properties of life, Joseph Smith seems to have taught that within each individual spirit there is a central primal intelligence (a central directing principle of life), and that man's central primal intelligence is a personal entity possessing some degree of life and certain rudimentary cognitive powers before the time the human spirit was organized.11
For this reason, Joseph Smith wrote that "Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be."12 In other words, man's basic essence or primal intelligence is as eternal as God's and was not created by God.
The Mormon God, by organizing this world out of preexistent matter, has granted these organized spirits the opportunity to receive physical bodies, pass through mortality, and eventually progress to godhood--just as this opportunity was given him by his Father God. Consequently, if human persons on earth faithfully obey the precepts of Mormonism they, too, can attain godhood like Elohim before them. Based on the statements of church authorities, some Mormon scholars contend that a premortal spirit is "organized" by God through "spirit birth." In this process, human spirits are somehow organized through literal sexual relations between our Heavenly Father and a mother god, whereby they are conceived and born as spirit children prior to entering the mortal realm (although all human persons prior to spirit birth existed as intelligences in some primal state of cognitive personal existence).13 Since the God of Mormonism was himself organized(or spirit-birthed) by his God, who himself is a "creation" of yet another God, and so on forever, Mormonism teaches that the God over this world is a contingent being in an infinite lineage of gods.14 This is why Joseph Smith can declare, "Hence, if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? . . . I will preach the plurality of the Gods."15 Brigham Young clearly understood the logic of Smith's theology: "How many Gods there are, I do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds."16 Thus, Mormonism is a polytheistic religion which denies that God is a necessary being who has eternally existed as God.
Mormonism therefore teaches that certain basic realities have always existed and are indestructible even by God. In other words, God came from the universe; the universe did not come from God (although he did form this planet out of preexistent matter). For Mormonism, God, like man, is merely another creature in the universe. In the Mormon universe, God is not responsible for creating or sustaining matter, energy, natural laws, human personhood, moral principles, the process of salvation (or exaltation), or much of anything. In fact, instead of the universe being subject to Him (which is the biblical view), the Mormon God is subject to the universe. The Mormon God is far from omnipotent. He is not the God of the Bible.
| Christian Concept Of God 17 | Mormon Concept Of God |
| 1. Personal and incorporeal | 1. Personal and coporeal (embodied) |
| 2. Creator and sustainer of contingent existence | 2. Organizer of the world, but subject to the laws and principles of a beginningless universe |
| 3. Omnipotent | 3. Limited in power |
| 4. Omniscient | 4. Increasing in knowledge* |
| 5. Omnipresent in being | 5. Localized in space |
| 6. Unchanging and eternal | 6. Changing and not eternal (as God) |
| 7. Necessary and the only God | 7. Contingent and one of many gods |
*Some Mormon authorities disagree on this point.
Notes
1. Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7 vols., introduction and notes, B.H. Roberts, 2d rev. ed. (Salt Lake City: The Deseret Book Company, 1978), 6:305. (Hereafter HC)
2. Saint Augustine, City of God (Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1958), 5.10.
3. See Thomas V. Morris, Our Idea of God: An Introduction to Philosophical Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1991), 119-38; and Ronald H. Nash, The Concept of God (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983), 73-83.
4. HC, 6:305-6.
5. Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22.
6. See, for example, Bruce R. McConkie, "The Seven Deadly Heresies," speech at Brigham Young University, 1 June 1980.
7. For an overview of the differing Mormon views on God's omniscience, see Blake T. Ostler, "The Mormon Concept of God," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 17 (Summer 1984): 76-80.
8. According to Oslter (in Ibid., 76), these official pronouncements are recorded in James R. Clark, ed., Messages of the First Presidency, 2 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-75), 2:214-23; and Millennial Star 26 (21 Oct. 1865): 658-60.
9. Wilford Woodruff in Journal of Discourses, by Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, His Two Counsellors, the Twelve Apostles, and Others, 26 volumes, reported by G.D. Watt (Liverpool: F.D. Richards, 1854-1886), 6:120. (Hereafter JD)
10. Conference Report, April 1901, p. 2.
11. Hyrum L. Andrus, God, Man and the Universe (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), 175.
12. Doctrine and Covenants, 93:29.
13. Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 386-87, 516-17, 750-51.
14. See HC, 6:305-12.
15. HC, 6:476,474. See also McConkie, 577.
16. Brigham Young in JD, 7:333.
17. This chart, changed slightly for this pamphlet, originally appeared in Francis J. Beckwith and Stephen E. Parrish, The Mormon Concept of God: A Philosophical Analysis, Studies in American Religion, vol. 55 (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1991), 38.
Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Whittier College (Whittier, CA). This pamphlet is adapted from a portion of an article which originally appeared in Christian Research Journal (Spring 1992) under the title "Philosophical Problems with the Mormon Concept of God."
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MORMON PLAN OF SALVATION
"But they use words just like ours-gospel, savior, atonement, virgin birth. In fact, don't they also baptize by immersion, send out missionaries, and talk about the gospel? It seems that their view of salvation is just like Baptists and other evangelicals! isn't that the case?"
This is often the response to Mormonism and the practices of the Mormon church. On the surface, much of what Mormons do seems similar to Bible-based Christian denominations. What they believe, however, is not at all in correspondence to the Bible. Nowhere is this fact more evident than when the question: "What Must I do to be saved?" is asked. The Bible gives a very clear and simple answer to that inquiry: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all thy heart and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). This answer is one that Baptists would affirm and support. The Baptist Faith and Message states simply: "Salvation ... is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer."' It is acquired when the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith with the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing less and nothing more is required.
Let's break that concept down into four parts: First, salvation is of God-the one and only God of this and all other possible universes. He is Uncreated, without a beginning, and by whom all things are created. He loved the world and sent His son, God the Word, to die for our sins (see John 3:16 and 2 Cor. 5:18–19).
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary. He was born, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of the world, and was raised victorious on the third day.
Second, the biblical and Christian concept of Jesus is that He existed eternally in heaven as God the Word. He is uncreated as the second person of the Triune God. There is no biblical material to substantiate, neither have Christians ever believed, that He was born a spirit child to "Heavenly Father" in a preexistent realm as the Mormons teach. He is not Our nor Lucifer's "elder brother."
Third, because humankind is sinful and fallen, all of us stand in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ for all of our sins and not just Adam's original sin. God's forgiveness and transforming power are available to all who put their trust in Christ (see John 1:11–13; John 3:16–36).
Fourth, we must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, as we repent of all sin. John 1:12 states, “To as many as received Him to them He gave the power to become the sons of God even to them who believe in His name.” Works, denominational identity, or good intentions have nothing to do with one’s saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Faith, trust, and belief in Jesus’ saving death on the cross when He took the sins of the world on himself and suffered for them, is the only basis for redemption (see 1 John 5:13; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8–9).
How does Mormonism compare with the above plan? It is quite different and involves for the fullest sense of salvation at least twelve steps for the male member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. Mormons believe that everyone will experience salvation in some way. While the Bible affirms only the presence of heaven or hell, Mormonism maintains that there is perdition, or hell, which is reserved for murderers, apostates from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, and the Devil and his angels. Mormon theology also maintains the existence of three heavens, all of them superior to this life—the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. The celestial kingdom is of the highest order where the Mormon will achieve exaltation or godhood.2 The following steps explain the Mormon’s plan to acquire the celestial kingdom. The celestial kingdom is, for the Mormon, what they call “eternal life.”
Step One: Faith. The Mormon faith is different from biblical faith because it has a different Jesus. As described above, The Jesus of Mormonism is our spiritual brother from heaven, who, like us, was born a spirit child of God. He is the first born child of the Heavenly Father. Bruce R. McConkie, a Mormon theologian, warned that people who speak of a "special relationship with [this] Christ" are guilty of "excessive zeal" and "pure sectarian nonsense.9 Faith for the Mormon is never spoken of as directed towards the deity of Christ and His full atonement on the cross for the sins of the world. Rather faith is seen as a response to whatever Christ commands, not as a trust in His complete ability to save.4 This kind of faith never results in a personal relationship with Him.
Step Two: Repentance. The Bible makes clear that repentance for salvation is always from sin or sins and toward God. For the Mormon repentance involves confessing and abandoning sin as well as restoring or resolving all damage done by one's sin. This definition sounds biblical. But the further condition is added that the repentant person must "spend the balance of your lives trying to live the commandments of the Lord so he can eventually pardon you and cleanse you."5 Repentance is a work, and only a prelude to the process of acquiring salvation by obedience to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Little, if anything, is said of repentance leading to Jesus Christ. If that is the Mormon understanding of repentance, then it is clear why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints goes on to add the steps listed below.
Step Three: Baptism by immersion in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. It is here where the clear stamp of Mormonism is unmistakable. The Mormon church claims to be the only true church thus all other churches and their practices and forms of baptism are false. Baptism by immersion through a “duly commissioned servant or representative of the Savior” (a Melchizedek priesthood holder or a priest in the Aaronic priesthood) is required.6 Therefore this baptism must take place in the Mormon church and is "the gateway through which we enter the celestial kingdom."7
Step Four. Laying on of Hands by a Member of the Melchizedek Priesthood in Order to Receive the Holy Ghost. The presence of the Holy Spirit is not promised for the Mormon as a result of faith and belief. It comes instead mechanically when a baptized Mormon is prayed for by a member of that priestly class in the church: “The authority to bestow the Holy Ghost belongs to the Melchizedek Priesthood ... the elder ... says 'Receive the Holy Ghost,' and 'I confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-clay Saints.” 8
Step Five: Ordination as a Melchizedek Priest (for males only). When one receives the laying on of hands by a priest of this order then exaltation and salvation becomes possible in that one also becomes a priest in the same order: “This higher priesthood is designed to enable men to gain exaltation in the highest heaven in eternity ... Perfection can be gained only in and through and because of their priesthood.”9 As well, Mormons believe the Holy Ghost will come to a person only when he is faithful and desires help from this church official.10
Step Six. Receiving the Temple Endowments. Upon ordination to the priesthood, the designated person is then led through a ceremony of anointing and other similar rites-none of which have biblical sanction. Women may also receive these rites. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints maintains, however, that “through them [the rituals] the recipients are endowed with power from on high. They receive an education relative to the Lord's purposes and plans ... and are taught the things that must be done by man in order to gain exaltation in the world to come.” The approximately 50 temples of the Mormon Church serve as the only place where these rites can be carried out and are therefore viewed as sacred by Mormons themselves.12
Step Seven: Celestial Marriage. Doctrine and Covenants, part of Mormon canonized scripture, states that “celestial marriage is the gate to an exaltation in the highest heaven within the celestial world.”13 As a part of temple endowments these members of the Mormon church are married for "time and eternity" to their spouses in a Mormon temple. Such marriages are essential so that once worthy Mormons are resurrected and possibly progress to godhood they may have their spouse with them to produce and procreate children for their world and universe.
Step Eight: Observing the Word of Wisdom. Joseph Smith taught that the use of strong drinks – alcoholic beverages–or hot drinks–referring probably to coffee and tea, both containing caffeine–would demonstrate unworthiness for exahation.14 The church also teaches, “For observing the word of wisdom the reward is life, not only prolonged mortal life, but life eternal.”15 As well, without obedience to the Word of Wisdom, entrance to Mormon temples will not be granted. Without that allowance, a Mormon would not be able to enter the celestial kingdom.
Step Nine: Sustain the Prophet. As each Prophet/President of the church is believed to be the sole revelator and representative of God to his church, it is required of every worthy Mormon to support or sustain him as a prophet, seer, and revelator. "To reject the word of the Lord [the message of the Prophet] is to reject the Lord himself," and hence to be unworthy of the celestial kingdom.16
Step Ten: Tithing. “One tenth of the interest or increase of each member of the Church is payable as tithing funds of the Church each year.”17 And “payment of an honest tithing is essential to the attainment of those great blessings which the Lord has in store for his faithful saints. Members of the church who fail or neglect to pay an honest tithing are thereby denying themselves of the receipt of these rich blessings.”18 Doctrine and Covenants is even more explicit saying, “For he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.”19 In other words, tithing is a part of the plan of salvation to escape censor at the second-coming of Christ.
Step Eleven: Sacrament Meetings. A sacrament meeting is the weekly Sunday gathering of local Latter–day Saints when they meet to sing, testify, and share the sacrament of bread and water. To participate regularly in this occasion is essential for staying in the close fellowship of the church. It serves as the basis for renewing one's covenant vows begun at baptism: “By partaking of the sacrament, worthy saints renew the covenant previously made by them in the water of baptism.”20 By keeping the covenant in the observance of the sacraments, the Mormon believes that “we will always have the Lord's spirit to be with us and that by following this pattern, believing on his name, we will gain a remission of our sins.” 21
Step Twelve: Obedience. Obedience to the church, its teachings, and the prophet is essential for the Mormon to gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon which all righteousness and progression rest. Remember that perdition or hell is reserved for apostates–those who leave the Mormon church and resign their membership in it. There is no salvation apart from total obedience of all laws and ordinances of the church.22
Outer darkness is reserved for apostate members of the Mormon church. There will be no salvation of forgiveness for these "sons of perdition" who "will suffer the wrath of God and partake of the second death.”23
Conclusion: The plan of salvation according to the “gospel” of Mormonism is not just a gospel of works-it is a gospel of obedience and obligation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In Gospel Principles, an official publication of that church, a parable describing the Mormon plan of salvation is told. A debtor begs his creditor for mercy as his debts are large and long overdue. Just as the cruel creditor is about to cast the man in prison a friend intervenes and pays the debt. He then says to the debtor, “You will pay the debt to me and I will set the terms. It will not be easy, but it will be possible.”24 The friend who intervened, not with a free gift, but with a loan to be repaid, is symbolic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each devout Saint therefore is now working hard to pay off his or her debt to the church. The Mormon gospel (good news) is no gospel. It is not the gospel of freedom through Christ, it is a gospel of servitude and obligation to a religious organization.
In Matthew 18:21-35, however, Jesus told the story of a certain king who forgave his servants their debts to him. One of the servants turned afterwards and demanded payment from a fellow servant of a hundred denarii debt. Unable to pay, the second servant was thrown into prison. Jesus illustrated the point that we should forgive one another just as God has forgiven us, those who believe in Him, from all our transgressions against God's law. This thought echoes the teaching of the Lord's prayer—“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12).
The biblical gospel of Jesus Christ is that no debts remain to be paid. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins sufficiently on the cross so that each one who believes in Him may be forgiven of all wrongs-past, present, and have yet to receive his gift of eternal life, you may do so by believing that God loves you in spite of your sin, that Jesus suffered and paid the cost of your sin, and that salvation is His free gift to you. As the Bible says “with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). If that is the need of your life, pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe that you died for all of my sin. I believe God raised you from the dead. Right now I turn from myself and my sins to you. Come into my heart. I give myself to you. Please become the Lord of my life. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Notes
Phil Roberts, Director of Interfaith Evangelism
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MORMON FAMILY
Their strong emphasis on family is based on their beliefs about eternal destiny.
The TV scene fades with a husband and wife warmly embracing each other and their several children. An announcer says, A message from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This short, public-service ad leaves you thinking, That's what a home really should be; those Mormons sure have good families.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS; also called Mormons) for many years has projected an image of fostering strong, wholesome, closely-knit family units. People of other faiths often are amazed by the apparent stability and size of LDS families. Indeed, the LDS church encourages strong family relationships, lasting marriages, and parenthood.
LDS leaders encourage church members to participate in a weekly Family Home Evening to promote this emphasis. In this program, LDS families are encouraged to schedule one night a week at home together for a time of study, communication, and fun activities. Local LDS congregations, called wards, are prohibited from scheduling activities that would conflict with the Family Home Evening.
Baptists and other Christians commend the Mormons for their promotion of healthy families. Most Christians naturally assume that Mormons stress family relations for the same reasons as other churches. Christians often are shocked to learn of the underlying theological reasons for the Mormon church's emphasis on the family.
Families Are Forever
A popular LDS slogan is Families Are Forever! That saying, to most people, sounds like a romantic ideal that the love a family shares transcends time. However, Mormons consider it to be the literal truth. They actually believe the family unit is intended to last forever.
The Mormon church teaches that husbands and wives can be married not only till death do us part, but beyond death into eternity. Families may remain together forever in the celestial kingdom, the LDS designation for the highest level of heavenly glory. Mormon men and women who are sealed together in private celestial marriage ceremonies, conducted only in LDS temples, are believed to be joined as husbands and wives forever. Children also may be sealed to their parents for eternity.1
LDS temples (53 worldwide) are consecrated buildings specially designed for conducting certain sacred rituals, including endowment ceremonies, baptisms for the dead, and celestial marriages. No public worship services are conducted in LDS temples. Only LDS church members who are deemed worthy enough to obtain a temple recommend may even enter a dedicated temple. Most newly built LDS temples are only open for public inspection for a couple of weeks prior to their formal dedications.2
What surprises Christians even more is that the Mormon church teaches that husbands and wives who are joined in celestial marriage may become gods. Mormons believe they can eventually establish and populate other worlds such as this one, provided they have a celestial marriage partner (or partners) with whom they can produce spirit children in the celestial kingdom. They believe the Mormon husband can become a heavenly father and his wife (wives) a heavenly mother of millions of newly created human souls.3
This process, called exaltation or eternal progression, is exactly the way Mormons believe our Heavenly Father became the God of this world. They believe He was once a man as we are now, who, along with his wife, progressed to become God. He is now an exalted man with a physical body of flesh and bone, just one of an unknown number of other gods.4
Mormons also believe Jesus was a spirit child of the Heavenly Father who became another god and was chosen as Savior of the world.5 The Holy Ghost is a third god who has a body of spirit yet exists in the form and likeness of a man.6
Another twist to the Mormon family emphasis is the time, energy, and money spent in genealogical research. Mormons believe it is their responsibility to trace their family history in order to find names of deceased non-Mormon relatives. They believe they can be baptized on their behalf in the LDS temple in order that the relative can attain the celestial kingdom. Dead people are also sealed in celestial marriage by proxy for the same reason.7
Doctrines Strange?
These Mormon doctrines seem strange to most Baptists and other Christians. Many find it hard to believe a church calling itself Christian could teach such things. Nonetheless, these unusual ideas are standard beliefs of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is easy to understand, therefore, why they put such a heavy emphasis on family issues. Mormons believe the family not only is an important aspect of their religious life, but it is essential to one's eternal destiny. One can never progress to godhood in the celestial kingdom without a strong family.8
Christians do not agree with LDS teachings on celestial marriage. The Bible certainly teaches that the family is an important element in a person's life. However, the Scripture nowhere teaches that marriages last beyond death or that one's eternal destiny depends on his or her marital status, family relationships, or procreativity. More important, the Bible nowhere teaches that people can become gods. The only biblical character who even suggested such a notion was the serpent (the devil) in Genesis 3:5!
Thus, while Christians respect and commend Mormons for emphasizing strong families, they cannot agree with their reasons for doing so. Elevating any institution, even one as important as the family, to a level of such spiritual significance as do the Mormons is tantamount to idolatry.
The clear teaching of Scripture is that salvation is a result entirely of God's grace (Eph. 2:8-9). It is received by repenting of one's sin, putting one's faith in Jesus Christ, and submitting to Him as one's Lord (Acts 3:19; Rom. 10:9-10). A major function of the Christian family is to encourage children to receive that salvation and grow in their faith. However, one's salvation is an individual decision that ultimately is independent of one's family status.
For a clear, biblically based perspective on the purposes and functions of the Christian family, read The Bible and Family Relations by T.B. Maston and William Tillman (Broadman Press, 1983).
For more information on the teachings of the Mormon church as compared to the Bible, contact the Interfaith Witness Department of the Home Mission Board (HMB), (404) 410-6220; or call HMB Customer Services, 1 800 634-2462, or fax, 1 800 253-2823, and request the free Belief Bulletin entitled Mormons (363-58F).
Recommended Reading
Roberts, R. Phillip (with Tal Davis and Sandra Tanner). Mormonism Umasked (Nashville: Broadman & Holman), 1998. Endnotes
Tal Davis, Interfaith Evangelism Associate for Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements
THE MORMON PUZZLE COMPARISON CHART - MORMONISM VS.
CHRISTIANITY
Introduction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormon church) professes to be a Christian church. However, a careful comparison of basic doctrinal positions of that church to those of historical, biblical Christianity reveal many radical differences. This pamphlet compares Mormon doctrines as stated in LDS authoritative primary sources to those of historic Christianity as derived solely from the Bible.
The Doctrine Of God
Historic Christianity
The one God is a spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite Creator of all that exists. He is the only God and necessary for all other things to exist. He exists eternally as a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6-8; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 17:3)
Mormonism
God (Heavenly Father) is an exalted man with a physical body of flesh and bone. LDS founder Joseph Smith said, "If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible—I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). The trinity is denied with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost seen as three separate entities. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" (Doctrine and Covenants [D&C] 130:22).
The Doctrine Of Jesus Christ
Historic Christianity
Jesus Christ was the virgin-born God incarnate who existed in all time with the Father and Holy Spirit in the eternal Trinity. As a man He possessed two natures—human and divine. He lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sin of all humanity. (John 1:1-18; 8:56-59; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:13-22; Heb.1:3; 13:8)
Mormonism
Jesus was the spiritual "first born" Son of God in the preexistence. "Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ, so he is literally our elder brother" (Gospel Principles [GP], p. 11). "And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn" (D&C 93:21). He is also the "only begotten" physical offspring of God by procreation on earth. "Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal father. That is why he is called the Only Begotten Son" (GP, p. 64). His atonement (death and resurrection) provides immortality for all people regardless of their faith. "Christ thus overcame physical death. Because of his atonement, everyone born on this earth will be resurrected . . . This condition is called immortality. All people who ever lived will be resurrected, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous’ [The Book of Mormon, Alma 11:44]" (GP, p. 74). (See Gospel Principles, pp. 11, 17-19, 61-77).
The Doctrine Of Scriptures And Authority
Historic Christianity
The Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the unique, revealed, and inspired Word of God. It is the sole authority for faith and practice for Christians. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21)
Mormonism
Recognizes the LDS Four Standard Works as authoritative. These include the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly" (Articles of Faith 1:8). It also includes The Book of Mormon (BOM) which Joseph Smith declared is "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194).
The church also regards The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) as scripture. It "is a collection of modern revelations . . . regarding The Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored in these last days" (GP, p. 54).
The Pearl of the Great Price is the fourth book believed to be inspired. "It clarifies doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives added information concerning the creation of the earth" (GP, p. 54).
The church's President is regarded as "a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet" (D&C 107:91-92).
The Doctrine Of Humanity
Historic Christianity
Human beings are created in God's image, meaning they have personal qualities similar to God's. Every person is a unique, precious being of dignity and worth. (Gen. 1:26-27)
Mormonism
People are the preexisted spiritual offspring of the Heavenly Father and Mother. "All men and women are . . . literally the sons and daughters of Deity . . . Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal (physical) body" (Joseph F. Smith, "The Origin of Man," Improvement Era, Nov. 1909, pp. 78,80, as quoted in GP, p. 11). They are born basically good and are "gods in embryo." A commonly quoted Mormon aphorism (attributed to fifth LDS president Lorenzo Snow) says "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become."
The Doctrine Of Sin
Historic Christianity
Human beings have chosen to sin against God, rejecting his nature and pursing life opposed to his essential character and revealed law. (Rom. 3:23; 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8-10)
Mormonism
People sin by disobedience to God's laws. Adam's fall, a part of Heavenly Father's plan, caused a loss of immortality, which was necessary for mankind to advance, (see GP, pp. 31-34). As Eve declared according to LDS scripture, "Were it not for our transgression we never should have . . . known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient" (PGP, Moses 5:11; see also BOM, 2 Nephi 2:22-25). Each person is responsible for his or her own sin.
The Doctrine Of Salvation
Historic Christianity
Salvation is release from the guilt and power of sin through God's gift of grace. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. (Rom. 3:20; 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-10)
Mormonism
Jesus’ atonement provided immortality for all people. Exaltation (godhood) is available only to Mormons through obedience to LDS teachings: faith, baptism, endowments, celestial marriage, and tithing. "Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—Wherefore, all things are theirs" (D&C, 76:58-59).
These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:
- They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C, 76).
- They will become gods.
- They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.
- The will receive a fulness of joy.
- They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge. (GP, p. 302)
Baptism for the dead provides post-mortem salvation for non-Mormons, and is "by immersion performed by a living person for one who is dead. This ordinance is performed in temples" (GP, p. 375). (See also GP, chapters 18-23.)
Doctrine Of Life And Death
Historic Christianity
Eternal life in heaven with God for those who have trusted in Jesus Christ. Eternal separation from God's presence in hell for the unsaved. (Matt. 5:12-30; 25:41; Rev. 20-22)
Mormonism
One of three levels of glory:
Doctrine Of The Church
Historic Christianity
Christians congregate together in local bodies and along denominational lines sharing distinctive doctrinal and ecclesiastical concepts. There is no organization or denomination that can claim exclusive designation as the "one true church." The universal church consists of all the redeemed in Jesus Christ in all of the ages. (Matt. 16:15-19; 1 Cor. 1:12-14; Eph. 2:19; 3:11-12)
Mormonism
Asserts that the LDS is the one true church on the face of the earth. Joseph Smith claimed Jesus Christ told him to join none of the existing denominations because "they were all wrong . . . that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt" (PGP: Joseph Smith— History 1:19-20). Mormons claim only the LDS possesses the divine authority of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood as restored by God to Joseph Smith in 1829. (D&C 13; 27:8-13; 107:1-20; PGP: Joseph Smith—History 1:68-73)
References
____. Gospel Principles. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1992.
McConkie, Bruce. A New Witness for the Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1986.
Smith, Joseph, Jr. The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982.
Smith, Joseph, Jr. The Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982.
Smith, Joseph, Jr. History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 7 vols. 2nd ed. rev. Edited by B.H. Roberts. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951.
Smith, Joseph, Jr. The Pearl of Great Price. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982.
Smith, Joseph Fielding. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1977.
THE
TRUTH ABOUTMORMONISM
(WHAT YOU HAVE
NOT BEEN TOLD)BY DENNIS AND RAUNI HIGLEY
President Joseph Fielding Smith (President of the LDS Church in the early 1970's) stated: "Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a Prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead people, then he should be exposed, his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false..." (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1 pp.188-189.)
When one reads the above statement, an investigation-through a study of the pertinent documentation - is called for. Historically, the Mormon story is a young one and for that reason alone is relatively easy to investigate.
So let's begin in the year 1820. Joseph Smith claimed he had a visit from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in 1820. He said that they told him that all churches were wrong and were an abomination to God and that he should not join any of them. He said that when he told his community about God's visit, that it initiated his fierce persecution. Later he said that he received visits from the angel Moroni who, Joseph Smith said was a resurrected being who had died close to Smith's area in New York state about 1400 years earlier. Moroni, Joseph Smith asserted, had buried in New York in the Hill Cumorah a record of his people who had lived on the American continent from about 600 B.C. to about 421 A.D. That record, Joseph Smith was told, would be given to him to translate. Then a few years later, Joseph Smith said that he received the record written on gold plates, in "reformed Egyptian" language that no one but he could understand. He was also told not to show these gold plates to anyone, but that some time later a few selected people would be given the privilege to view them. He said that he then translated the plates and published the material as the "Book of Mormon" and gave the gold plates back to the angel Moroni. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that the name of the Church was given to Joseph Smith by revelation. However, when Smith first organized the Church in 1830 it was called the "Church of Christ." Four years later the name was changed to the "Church of Latter-day Saints." In 1838, it was changed again, this time to the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," as it is known today. Joseph Smith claimed that he received many revelations from God and he began to introduce many new doctrines to his new Church; one of the doctrines was polygamy, a practice that Smith denied publicly but practiced secretly. That doctrine was the obvious downfall of Joseph Smith, and he was killed in 1844 as a result of the polygamy controversy.
Now let's go back and look at this above information a little closer and in detail. Joseph Smith claimed that after he had seen a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, he told it first to a Methodist preacher and that it started the entire community, "all men of high standing" and "the great ones of the most popular sects, " to persecute him bitterly— he being only a boy of 14! One would think that kind of commotion would have caused someone somewhere to write about it. One would think that at least the Palmyra newspaper would have written something, Since Joseph claimed that "all men" were united to bring a "bitter and reviling persecution" against him. Not many important events took place in that little town—even unimportant gossip was printed—one searches in vain from 1820 on to find an account about a young boy's vision or persecution. A search fails to find a story regarding the revival excitement that Smith later claimed was the reason why he went to the grove to seek God in p rayer, and received this fantastic vision. Joseph Smith said that he was told twice in this vision not to join any of the religions (see
Pearl of Great Price 2:5-26), but it is interesting to note that in 1823 Joseph's mother, sister and two brothers joined the Presbyterian Church, and later Joseph himself sought membership in the Methodist Church, where his wife was a member. Records show that Joseph was expelled in 1828, because of his belief in magic and also because of his "money-digging activities." Joseph's newly organized church started to publish its history, as events took place. In the publication called the "Messenger and Advocate." Oliver Cowdery was the main writer, and its accuracy was checked by Joseph Smith himself. In this publication Joseph tells how, after his brother Alvin's death, and after his mother, sister and two brothers had joined the Presbyterian Church, he started to seek religion and pray "if some Supreme Being existed" (vol. 1 p. 79). IF HE HAD HAD A VISION OF GOD THE FATHER AND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST IN 1820, HE MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE KNOWN BY 1823 OR 1824 THAT A SUPREME BEING EXISTED. By reading diaries, records, newspapers, etc., one seeks in vain to find any mention of this so-called "First Vision" story until 1842 when it was published in "Times and Seasons" 22 years after this vision supposedly took place. It becomes quit obvious that this report was an afterthought, since The Vision" story talks about two separate gods, and the Book of Mormon says that here is only one God; and that Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Ghost are this one God. (Examples: Alma 11:26-33; 18:26-28; Mosiah 15:1, 2, 5, etc.) The Book of Commandments (now called Doctrine and Covenants) was published in 1835, and it included lectures given in the School of the Prophets. Lecture 5 says God is a Spirit and the Son only has the body of flesh and bones. (The lectures were later removed from the D&C but are available as a separate small book.) There is now an added footnote to lecture 5 which says that Joseph received further light and knowledge in 1843, and then knew that God the Father also had a body of flesh and bones. That statement alone tells that there was no vision of the Father and Son in 1820. Had there been one, Joseph would not have needed this "further light and knowledge" about the Father having a body of flesh and bones. It was not until 1844 that Joseph started to preach about a god who was once a man and progressed into godhood, and how men can also become gods. (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pp.345-347). Thus, there is absolutely no evidence for the First Vision as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, or that The Vision was known to Mormons or non-Mormons prior to 1842 or thereabouts. It was not until the 1880's that this story was accepted by the Church. Prior to that time, we were only able to read denials about it. For example, in Journal of Discourses, 2: 171, Brigham Young preached a sermon in 1855 which he said: "LORD DID NOT COME...TO JOSEPH SMITH, BUT SENT HIS ANGEL...TO INFORM HIM THAT HE SHOULD NOT JOIN ANY RELIGIOUS SECT OF THE DAY, FOR THEYWERE ALL WRONG..." John Taylor later said the same thing, (see J.of D. 20:167) on March 2, 1879. Heber C.Kimball in J.of D., 6: 29, said: "DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT GOD IN PERSON CALLED UPON JOSEPH SMITH OUR PROPHET? GOD CALLED UPON HIM, BUT DID NOT COME HIMSELF..." George A. Smith told the same story in the Journal of Discourses, 12: 333-334. One wouldn't really have to dig deeper than that to find out that the claims of the LDS Church today regarding Joseph Smith's so-called First Vision are not true, according to documentary evidence of the time, and Joseph Smith - and these facts—should be exposed, just as Joseph Feilding Smith said they should. Early Mormon apostle Orson Pratt made a statement concerning the Book of Mormon: "This book (The Book of Mormon) must be either true of false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God... If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions... The nature of the message in the Book of Mormon is such that, if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it... if, after a rigid examination, it be found imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of deception, and to be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion may be exposed and silenced... by strong and powerful arguments - by evidences adduced from scripture and reason..." (Orson Pratt's Works, "Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon": Liverpool, 1851, pp. 1, 2.) We hope to show clearly and logically, even though very briefly in this paper, that the Book of Mormon is not a divinely inspired record, but a 19th century product. Joseph Smith claimed that after he translated the gold plates, he returned them to an angel - so there is no way to inspect them or check the accuracy of the translation. Mormons often refer to the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Most of these men left the Church, but claims are also made that even though they did, they never denied that they had seen an angel who showed them "the plates of the Book of Mormon." However, in the Journal of Discourses, (7:164 ),Brigham Young stated that: ...witnesses of the Book of Mormon who handled the plates and conversed with the angels of God were afterwards left to doubt and to disbelieve that they had ever seen an angel. Joseph Smith himself called these men wicked and liars, and by many other demeaning names. In the Journal of Discourses, 7: 114-115, George A. Smith lists those who have left the Church and mentions specifically, among others, "the witnesses of the Book of Mormon." Martin Harris later claimed that he had a better testimony of the "Shakers Book" than he ever had of the Book of Mormon. Reading about these witnesses, one is drawn to the conclusion that they were unstable men and easily convinced; for example, Martin Harris changed his religion at least eight times. Some of the others started their own religions later.Let's now look at the Book of Mormon itself.
The Book of Mormon presents problems that cannot be explained away regarding the following topics.
Language: 1 Ne. 1:2, etc., states that Hebrews who left Jerusalem and came to the Americas spoke Egyptian. It is a known fact that Hebrews spoke Hebrew, and their records were kept in Hebrew. Egyptians were their enemies. It is absurd to think that Hebrews would have written their sacred history in Egyptian as to think that American History would have been written in Russian. In Mormon 9:32, 34, it is state that the language was "reformed Egyptian" and that no other people knew their language. There is no known language called "reformed Egyptian."
Desert Fruit: 1 Ne. 17:5 talks about ample fruit and wild honey being products of Sinai desert (called Bountiful). Not possible!
Desert Timber: 1 Ne. 18:1 talks about ample timber that these Jews used to build a ship. There is not ample timber in that area. It was a desert. It still is a desert.
Laman River: 1 Ne. 2:6-9 mentions a river named Laman that flows into the Red Sea. There is no river there and has not been since the Pleistocene era.
Botanical Problems are many in the Book of Mormon. Wheat, barley, olives, etc., are mentioned, but none of these were in the Americas at that time.
Animals: North America had no cows, asses, horses, oxen, etc. Europeans brought them hundreds and hundreds of years later. North America had no lions, leopards, nor sheep at that time. Honey bees were brought here by Europeans much later. Ether 9:18, 19, lists domestic cattle, cows, and oxen as separate species! They did not even exist in the Americas at that time. The Book of Mormon also mentions swine as being useful to man. Maybe, but Jews would not think of swine as being useful or good; swine were forbidden, unclean animals to them. Horses, asses, and elephants were not in the Americas either. And what on earth are "cureloms" and "cumoms"? No such animals have ever been identified anywhere. Domestic animals that are thought to be "useful" would hardly become extinct. Ether 9:30-34 talks about poisonous snakes driving sheep to the south. The Book of Mormon states that the people ate the snake-killed animals, all of them! (v. 34). Hebrews would not have eaten animals that were killed that way. Chickens and dogs did not exist here at that time either. Butter is also mentioned, but it could not possibly exist, since no milk-producing animals were found in the Americas at that time.
Clothing Material: No silk and wool clothing (nor moths) existed at that time either, contrary to 1 Ne. 13:7; Alma 4:6; Ether 9:17 and 10:24.
Beheaded Shiz: Ether 15:30-31 says that after Shiz was beheaded, he raised up and struggled for breath!
Miscalculations: In Ether, chapter 6, we learn that furious winds propelled the barges to the promised land for 344 days! Even if the winds were not "furious" but, for example, blew only 10 miles per hour, the distance traveled in 344 days would have been 82,560 miles, or more than three times around the world. Absurdity, to say the least! And why would the Lord instruct Jared to make a hole on top and bottom of each barge?(Ether 2:20).
Population: When Lehi left Jerusalem, according to the Book of Mormon, his group consisted of fewer than 20 people. Yet 19 years later the people had so prospered and multiplied in the Promised Land that they built a temple of which the "manner of construction was like unto the temple of Solomon: and the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine" (2. Ne. 5:16). Looking at what the Bible says about the construction of Solomon's temple, we find that it took 30,000 Israelites, 150,000 hewers of stone and carriers, 3,300 supervisors (I Kings 5:13-16) and about seven years to build it (See also I Kings 6). And how many people could Lehi have had in his group after 19 years? The book further tells that in less than 30 years after arriving on this continent, they had multiplied so rapidly that they even divided into two nations. Even the most rapid human reproduction could only have resulted in a few dozen in that brief time, and most of them still would be infants and children and about one-third older people. Not only did they divide into two nations, but throughout the book, about every few years, they had devastating wars that killed thousands (i.e., Alma 28:2).
Skin Color: Beginning after the first 19 years or so, Laman and Lemuel and their descendants and followers (!) turned dark skinned because of their disobedience (2 Ne. 5:21). According to the Book of Mormon, dark skin color was a curse from God! This change of skin color takes place throughout the book. In 2 Ne. 30:6 we read that if Lamanites accepted the true gospel, they became "white and delightsome" (and since the 1981 printing of the Book of Mormon, they became "pure and delightsome.) But if they left this true gospel, they became "dark and loathsome." People's skin color does not change if they believe or do not believe! Nor is the skin color a curse! The Book of Mormon teaches that Indians originated from these Jewish settlers. Indians are distinctly Mongoloid. They have the "Mongoloid" blue spot, specific blood traits, and their facial features are of typical Asian origin, not Semitic at all. Current DNA evidence has confirmed this as well.
Questionable Materials for This Time Period
In Ether 7:8-9, we read of steel and breakable windows (2:23) in Abraham's time! Try to explain that to an archaeologist. Steel was not even developed until about 1400 years later. At the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni tells about a great battle that took place on the Hill Cumorah. Over 200,000 people, armed to their teeth, were killed on that hill. The story tells about their weapons, breastplates, helmets, swords etc. Nothing has ever been found on that hill or anywhere else in this continent. As a matter of fact, metal, helmets, swords, etc., do not disappear in a mere 1400 years. Before the LDS Church purchased the Hill Cumorah, it was literally dug full of holes and even caves, but nothing was ever found. (Joseph Smith told about a cave inside Hill Cumorah and how they — he and Oliver — went in and out of it. Supposedly it had wagon loads of gold plates, Laban sword, etc.) When people dig even for worms in the Holy Land, they make discoveries. In contrast to the Book of Mormon, cities, places, coins, clothing, swords, etc. mentioned in the Bible have been found by archaeologists, but not one single place mentioned in the Book of Mormon has ever been identified. There are still people in the LDS Church who believe that archaeology has proved, at least to a degree, the Book of Mormon. Some missionaries are still using slide presentations of ruins from Mexico and South America, implying that they prove the Book of Mormon, but they are from an entirely different time period and are ruins of idol worshipers who offered human sacrifices.
In the mid 1970's, President Spencer W. Kimball made a statement that should have stopped these "faith promoting rumors." The Church News published the statement, which said that people should stop looking for archaeological evidences for the Book of Mormon, for there is none. Perhaps he finally realized that it was too embarrassing to insist on Book of Mormon archaeology since professors in the Church's own University had started to deny publicly that there was any truth to it. LDS Professor Dee Green, in Dialogue, summer of 1969, pp. 74-78, wrote: The first myth we need to eliminate is that Book of Mormon archaeology exists. Titles of books full of archaeological half-truths, dilettante on peripheries of American archaeology calling themselves Book of Mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a Department of Archaeology at BYU devoted to the production of Book of Mormon archaeologists do not insure that Book of Mormon archaeology really exis ts... no Book of Mormon location is known... Biblical archaeology can be studied, because we know where Jerusalem and Jericho were and are, but we do not know where Zarahemla and Bountiful (nor any location for that matter) were or are.... Many Mormon scholars have faced the truth and fully agree with Professor Green, but sadly enough, this "myth of the Book of Mormon archaeology" still surfaces from the general membership, who are not updated on these issues. Thomas S. Ferguson was a firm believer and he was sure that archaeology would prove the Book of Mormon. He was an attorney and believed that he knew how to weigh the evidence, once it was found, and a lot of "evidence" was found; but unfortunately for the LDS Church, the evidence did not have any connection to the Book of Mormon. Ferguson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and 25 years of his life, as a head of "The Ne w World Archaeological Foundation," funded by the Church. But in spite of all the efforts, by 1970, he had come to the conclusion that all had been in vain, that Joseph Smith was not a prophet, and that Mormonism was not true.
He was a man who had devoted his entire life, even before starting this foundation, to Mormonism. He had written a book called One Fold and One Shepherd in defense of Mormonism, but later he had to admit that the case against Joseph Smith was absolutely devastating and could not be explained away. The Book of Abraham was perhaps the final straw for him, as well as for many others who were more aware of the problems in Mormonism. Another example is B. H. Roberts, noted scholar and a General Authority in the Mormon Church, whose secret manuscript has only fairly recently been published, and who had come to question the Book of Mormon quite some time before Ferguson did. B. H. Roberts’s typewritten
manuscript of more than 400 pages, titled Book of Mormon Difficulties was written sometime between
1922-1933. In this manuscript he admitted that the Book of Mormon is in conflict with what is now
known from twentieth century archaeological investigation about the early inhabitants of America.
After going into a lengthy explanation of impossibilities in the Book of Mormon, he also says that he
has come to discover things he didn't know earlier in his life; for instance, that Joseph Smith did have
access to a number of books that could have assisted him and given him ideas for the Book of
Mormon.
Roberts tells how Joseph's mother wrote in her book, History of Joseph Smith, that long before
Joseph had received the gold plates, he gave,
...most amusing recitals... He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their
dress, their mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings,
with every particular; their mode of warfare, and also their religious worship. This he would do with
as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them."
( B. H. Roberts, Studies of the Book of Mormon, p. 243.)
Roberts then goes on to say that Joseph could have gotten his information from "knowledge" that
existed in the community, because of books like Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews published nearby
in 1823, and Josiah Priest's The Wonders of Nature and Providence, published only 20 miles away one
year later. The latter had lots to say about the Hebrew origin of American Indians and their advanced
culture and civilization. Roberts then asks,
...Whence comes the young prophet's ability to give these descriptions "with as much ease
as if he had spent his whole life" with these ancient inhabitants of America? Not from the
Book of Mormon, which is as yet, a sealed book to him.... These evening recitals could come
from no other source than the vivid, constructive imagination of Joseph Smith, a
remarkable power which attended him through all his life. It was as strong and varied as
Shakespeare's and no more to be accounted for than the English Bard's." ( B. H. Roberts,
Studies of the Book of Mormon, p.244)
Prior to this, B. H. Roberts was known as a great defender of Mormonism, and he is still
considered one of the greatest scholars the LDS Church has ever had. He wrote the six volume
Comprehensive History of the Church, and many other works as well. The aforementioned
manuscript, Book of Mormon Difficulties, a Study is now available in bookstores under the title of
Studies of the book of Mormon.
There would be much, much more to say as to why the Book of Mormon is not an ancient record but
an obvious production of a very intelligent and creative person, Joseph Smith, who used a number of
books, including the Bible, to create it. None of the important Mormon doctrines of today are in the
Book of Mormon. Yet the Church claims that this book"contains the fullness of the everlasting
Gospel." (According to the General Authorities of the Church, "fullness of the Gospel" means that all
doctrines leading to salvation in the celestial kingdom are in that book, and one wouldn't need any
other book to find information for salvation.)
The Book of Mormon teaches against today's Mormon doctrine; for example:
Polygamy: Jacob 1:15, 2:22-27; 3:5; Mosiah 11:2; Ether 10:5; (polygamy is not practiced by the
mainstream Church today, but it remains as a doctrine of the Church; see D&C 132.)
Eternal progression: (God could not have progressed from man to God): Alma 41:8, 3 Ne. 24:6;
Mormon 9:9, 10, 19; Moroni 8:18, 23.
Secret combinations or oaths (in temples): Mormon 8:27; 2 Ne. 9:9; 2 Ne. 26:22; Alma 34:36;
37:23, 31.
God created the heaven and the earth by His word: Mormon 9:17; Jacob 4:9.
That there is only one God: Mosiah 7:27; 13:34; 15:1-5; 16:15; Alma 11:26-33, 38, 39, 44;
No work for the dead: Alma 37:32-33.
Doctrines like temple or eternal marriage, priesthoods, etc. are not in the Book of Mormon, and as we
have already mentioned, one can see that this book speaks against polygamy, work for the dead, oaths
(temple), men becoming gods, or that there is more than one God, etc.
It becomes quite obvious to an investigator of Mormonism that after 1842 or so Joseph Smith changed
his mind about who God is . He contradicted the Book of Mormon with the Doctrine and Covenants,
i.e.: Alma 34:36: "And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but
in the hearts of righteous doth he dwell..." And D&C 130:3: "...the idea that the Father and the Son
dwell in a man's heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false..." And the Book of Mormon says, in
Jacob 4:9, "For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth
was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and
to speak and man was created ..." And Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 350, "...men who are
preaching salvation, say that God created the heavens and earth out of nothing? The reason is, that
they are unlearned in the things of God.... God never had the power to create the spirit of man at all."
He had started to teach that his god had once been a mere mortal man, etc.
The Book of Abraham
In November, 1967, when discovered Egyptian Papyri was given back by the Metropolitan
Museum to the Mormon Church, this generated a great amount of excitement in the hearts of
Mormons. Finally there was something concrete that an "angel didn't take away," that could once
and for all prove to the doubting world that Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God and had a
God-given gift or ability to translate. We read from the Pearl of Great Price the following
introduction to the Book of Abraham.
"TRANSLATED FROM THE PAPYRUS BY JOSEPH SMITH. A TRANSLATION
OF SOME ANCIENT RECORDS, THAT HAVE FALLEN INTO OUR HANDS
FROM THE CATACOMBS OF EGYPT - THE WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM
WHILE HE WAS IN EGYPT, CALLED THE BOOK OF ABRAHAM, WRITTEN
BY HIS OWN HAND, UPON PAPYRUS."
This papyri was written in the Egyptian language and this would prove that if Joseph Smith's
translation of papyri was correct, it would be possible that he could have translated the Book of
Mormon from "reformed Egyptian." But problems began to surface very soon after the First
Presidency had given the papyri to LDS Professor Hugh Nibley of BYU to translate them or to find a
translator capable of doing so. (By the way, why not the current prophet of the Church? Shouldn't he
have done it?)
Now, if this papyri was written by Abraham "by his own hand," as Joseph Smith had said, it should be
at least 4000 years old. After this papyri was evaluated, even Professor Nibley had to agree that it was
a production of not older than A.D. the first century. Thus, Abraham couldn't have written it. That was
the first blow. The second blow came after they were given to several qualified Egyptologists; they
were clearly shown to not to be what Joseph Smith had said the Book of Abraham was. Expectations
of the Church members' had been high. Dr. Sidney B. Sperry, one of the most noted scholars, had said:
"The little volume of Scripture known as the Book of Abraham will someday be recognized
as one of the most remarkable documents in existence. It is evident that writings of
Abraham while he was in Egypt, of which our printed Book of Abraham is a copy, must of
necessity be older than original text of Genesis..." (Dr. Sidney B. Sperry, "
Ancient RecordsTestify in Papyrus and Stone"
1938, page 83, quoted from Mormonism: Shadow or Reality, p. 294)Now that the papyri had been located and proven by the leaders of the Church and its scholars to
be the very one Joseph Smith had translated, the question was: Do they read the same as what
Joseph Smith's translation said? Very quickly they were discovered to be nothing more than pagan
burial records called the "Book of Breathings," a short portion of the Book of the Dead.
Egyptologist, James Henry Breasted, explains that "...the Book of the Dead is chiefly a book of
magical
charms... it was written by a very superstitious people and is quite different from the religion taught
in the Bible." . (From his book, Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt, New York,
1969, p. 308, as quoted from Changing World of Mormonism, Jerald and Sandra Tanner, p. 345.)
Many Mormon writers have admitted that this is the case.
There have been a lot of things written and suggestions made trying to justify the fact that not one
mention of Abraham, not his name, not his faith, nothing at all are on the document, claimed to have
been written by his [Abraham’s] own hand, upon papyrus." (
Pearl of Great Price, The Book ofAbraham
)LDS doctrine on blacks and the priesthood is (was) based on this Book of Abraham. The Utah
Mormon Church has not removed this book from their scriptures, but it is interesting to note that the
RLDS Church which is directed by the direct descendants of Joseph Smith made this statement in
"The New York Times" of May 3, 1970, "...it may be helpful to suggest that the Book of Abraham
represents simply the product of Joseph Smith's imagination..." The RLDS Church removed the book
from among
their scriptures. The only thing that the Utah Mormon Church did was allow blacks (1978) to
have the priesthood. But all in all, thinking people started to see that a huge shadow was now cast
also on the Book of Mormon. Mormon writer, Klaus Hansen, made some remarks in "Dialogue A
Journal of Mormon Thought," summer 1970, p. 110:
...To a professional historian, for example, the recent translation of the Joseph Smith
papyri may well present the potentially most damaging case against Mormonism since its
foundation. Yet the 'Powers That Be' at the Church Historian's Office should take comfort
in the fact that almost total lack of response to this translation is an uncanny proof of
Frank Kermode's observation that
even the most devastating acts of disconfirmation willhave no effect whatever on true believers
. Perhaps an even more telling response is that ofthe 'liberals,' or cultural Mormons. After the Joseph Smith's papyri affair, one might have
well expected a mass exodus of these people from the Church. Yet none has occurred.
Why?
Because cultural Mormons, of course, do not believe in the historical authenticity ofMormon scriptures in the first place. So there is nothing to disconfirm.
(Emphasis added)Polygamy
Polygamy, as we have mentioned at the beginning, was the issue that led to the killing of Joseph
Smith. Investigation of the records shows that Joseph Smith practiced polygamy from the early 1830's
on. William Clayton was Joseph Smith's personal secretary and scribe until his death.
William Clayton's diary has been a source for many revelations published in the Doctrine and
Covenants. This diary tells also how the "revelation" on polygamy originated. Stated briefly,it came
about as a result of a discussion between Joseph, his brother Hyrum, and William Clayton, who wrote
it down. Emma, Joseph's wife, had been suspecting Joseph of having affairs with other women, i.e.,
Fanny Alger about 1831 and from then