But is this so? Is it something worthwhile to investigate? Is an investigation (or a questioning of Mormon beliefs) an act of hate or persecution?

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1 Many of us have most likely heard of the Mormons; but just who are they? Officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the Mormons exist as one of the largest religious organizations in the US, and even across the globe. While most, especially in the US, have heard of the LDS church, there is a lack of clarity (by and large) on just what do the Mormons believe. It's safe to say that their clean image, financial prosperity, and family values have led the masses (even many Christians) to believe that they are just another Christian religion or sect under the umbrella of Christianity. But is this so? Is it something worthwhile to investigate? Is an investigation (or a questioning of Mormon beliefs) an act of hate or persecution? In this series of articles centered on common beliefs of the Mormons, we'll be taking an examination of their foundational doctrines and compare them with Biblical Christianity to find out if they are indeed Christians. Worthwhile? Most certainly. Again, the nature of this site is that all Christians be able to 'stand equipped' when it comes to defending their faith and presenting the truth on what is Christianity and what isn't and, more importantly, be able to share who the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ, is and how they can come into a personal relationship with him. 1 / 10

2 Is this investigation mean or even unwelcome? To answer this, let's take a look at a statement from one of the founding members (and authoritative) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Fielding Smith: "THE DIVINE MISSION OF JOSEPH SMITH CHURCH STAND OR FALLS WITH JOSEPH SMITH. Mormonism, as it is called, 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 Smith was a deceiver, who wilfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an impostor cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures." (Doctrines of Salvation, p. 188; emphasis original) 2 / 10

3 Two important things I'd like to point out: 1. The only way to expose and refute one's claims to determine if they are false or true is to examine them. This should be seen as an open door for examination of his teachings, and those of the LDS church, without any recoil or accusation. 2. The one and only standard by which we can compare the teachings of Joseph Smith and Mormonism as a whole (or any other group that claims to be Christians) is the Word of God as revealed through the pages of the Bible. A Brief History of the Mormons - Founder Joseph Smith and Their Purpose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginnings go back to the year 1820 in he city of Palmyra, New York. A young boy of 15 by the name of Joseph Smith, Jr. tells the story (of which multiple, and differing, versions would arise) where he finds himself confused in the midst of a spiritual revival that was taking place. The confusion? Where does he belong. It was this dilemma that drove the young Smith to the woods to seek God as to which sect is correct, and which he should therefore join. Based upon a Bible verse found in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." he prays aloud to God for the wisdom he needs to come to a decision. To his surprise, he not only receives the answer but sees two personages, God the Father and Jesus Christ, that tell him that none of the denominations which he was considering are correct, and that he should not join them for all their creeds were an abomination. 3 / 10

4 Out of excitement, he thought to share this unique experience and 'revelation' with some local pastors who didn't respond as he hope they would. They didn't find his vision believable and outright rejected him. Over the next few years Joseph Smith reports that he received bedside revelations from an angel named Moroni, who tells him "that God had a work for me [Joseph] to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." (History of the Church, Vol 1, 1:33). The centerpiece of these revelations was a set of hidden golden plates on which the 'fulness of the everlasting gosepl' was contained. The angel Moroni would later lead Smith to the plates with the command that nobody else was to see them but Joseph himself. These golden plates would eventually become the 'manuscript' that he would translate into the Book of Mormon. His claim was that the plates were engraved in an unknown language, which he would later state was 'Reformed Egyptian'. Though he didn't understand this language, he was able 'translate' the plate's engravings through 'supernatural' means. The translation process occurred by Smith placing a 'seeing stone' (for which history shows he used to treasure hunt, and was prosecuted for) into a hat which he would then hold close to his face to block the surrounding light. The English translation would appear and he would recite the words to his assistant, Oliver Cowdery, who was on the other side of a hanging sheet used as a partition (so Oliver would not see the plates). 4 / 10

5 The Book of Mormon would eventually be translated and published by March of Among Joseph Smith's early revelations through visions would be the fact that no authority on Earth existed by which the necessary ordinances of baptism, the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit, and the sacraments could be carried out. This was because the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods had perished leaving no one to fulfill their duties. Both Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery claim that they received these priesthoods from John the Baptist when he appeared to them in This meant that they then had the authority to baptize each other and to confer the priesthoods to others as well. The priesthoods would eventually become one of the most foundational and fundamental teachings of the Mormons as they assert that with the priesthoods existing only in their church, no other church or religion has any true, God given authority. Much, much more can be said about the history of the Mormon church but the emphasis of this introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to draw our attention to the two primary reasons they exist and why they believe salvation can only come through their organization. 5 / 10

6 These two primary reasons are: 1. The world was devoid of the priesthoods and therefore any other church has no authority to speak for God or to perform the necessary rites for exaltation to godhood 2. The true church apostatized shortly after the time of Christ and therefore needed to be restored The solution to these dilemmas? God reveals these truths to Joseph Smith and chooses him to be the tool by which the priesthoods and true church can be restored. To dispel any possible confusion, consider a few quotes from prominent Mormon authorities: "This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way, the truth, and the life" (Conference Report, April, 1961, pg. 119) Marion Romney of the First Presidency "This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth..." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p ) 6 / 10

7 "[salvation] comes only through the Church itself as the Lord established it... Therefore it was made clearly manifest that salvation is in the Church, and of the Church, and is obtained only through the Church." April 8, 1973, LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen "[there is] "no salvation without Joseph Smith." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:189) Finally, "From the day that the priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up things of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are -- I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent" (Journal of Discourses 7:238. See also Search These Commandments, 1984, pg. 133) Conclusion 7 / 10

8 Who are the Mormons? What do the Mormons believe? I hope this article, especially these last few statements, gives you a better understanding of what the Mormons teach about the nature of their church. As Christians, according to God's word (which was revealed first before the Mormon church existed) in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, we must "Test all things; hold fast what is good.". Again, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1. Again, "For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!" 1 Corinthians 11:4. These statements were not written to pick on the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or any other belief system. However, they are to be applied to any spiritual teaching to see if that teaching is in harmony with God's Holy Word. 8 / 10

9 If the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially its foundational premises, can be found contrary to God's Word, we must: - Acknowledge the facts - Accept them - Share them in love If you are a Mormon, this means you must sincerely consider the documented (biblically and historically) challenges to your beliefs and "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Though it may be a highly difficult decision in leaving the Mormon church but the the temporal consequences pale in relation to the eternal, whether they be life forever with Christ, or death and suffering apart from Him. With these things in mind, let's take a closer look at some common beliefs of Mormons and compare them with what the Bible actually teaches. Continue reading: The Mormon Priesthood: A Biblical Examination 9 / 10

10 The Mormon Aaronic Priesthood The Mormon Melchizedek Priesthood 10 / 10