Understanding Mormonism Pastor David Sims
The average Mormon has never been confronted with truth of biblical Christianity. They assume they are right with the Bible and God. Mormon Scripture includes the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and the King James Bible.
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:6-8).
Mormons claim the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and the words of their living prophet will in no way contradict the Holy Bible. After all, according to Mormons, God is the author of this continual revelation, therefore it is considered Scripture. Mormons claim they represent authentic Christianity:
Mormons take every honorable opportunity to herald the views of Mormonism to the world. For they are the pure, unadulterated Christianity of old. Mormonism is Christianity, Christianity is Mormonism. They are one and the same and they are not to be distinguished from each another in the minutest detail. Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 513.
Mormon Doctrine of God 1. God evolved from mortal man to his present state. He was just a man but has become / changed into a god. Joseph Smith, giving a sermon heard by over 18,000 people and recorded by 5 Mormon scribes two months before his assassination said:
God was once as we are now, an exalted man and he sits enthroned in yonder heavens. I say if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form like yourselves in all the person image and very form of man. I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil.
God was once a man like us and dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ did and you have got to learn to be gods yourselves, the same as all gods before you, namely by going from one small degree to another, from a small capacity to a greater one. Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 613; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; and History of the Church, vol. 6, April 1844, p. 305.
Brigham Young, the successor of Joseph Smith and the one who brought the Mormon Church to Utah, was documented as saying, The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming gods like himself. We are created to become gods like unto our Father in heaven. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses (JD), vol. 3, p. 93.
As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become. Lorenzo Snow, past president of LDS in LDS Church News, Jan. 16, 1983, p. 14.... God our heavenly father was once a child and mortal like we are - and rose step by step in the scale of progress in the school of advancement and has moved forward and overcome until he has arrived at the point where he is now. JD, vol. 1, p. 123.
Are you sure we cannot distinguish between Christianity and Mormonism? Mormon doctrine claims that God evolved from mortal man. He was just a man but has changed into a god. Yet the Bible clearly opposes this: - Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man... nor is He the son of a man" - Hosea 11:9: "I am God and not man" - Malachi 3:6: "I do not change" - Psalm 90:2: "From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God"
2. Polytheism Mormons believe in hundreds of thousands of gods in the universe. Man is the king of kings and the lord of lords in embryo... gods exist and we had better strive to become one with them. A plurality of gods exist. Indeed, this doctrine of plurality of gods is so comprehensive and glorious that it reaches out and embraces every exalted personage. Those who obtain exaltation are gods. B. Young, JD, vol. 10, p. 223.
But the Bible clearly condemns polytheism! Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me... Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one (Isa. 44:6-8)
I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other (Isa. 45:5-6).
For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is no other. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior. There is none besides Me (Isa. 45:18, 21).
To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal that we should be alike? for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me (Isa. 46:5, 9). The difference between Mormonism and Christianity is the difference between polytheism and monotheism! God consistently condemns polytheism throughout the Bible!
3. Mormon males striving to be gods. - The reason why Mormons will never make it to godhood is because God says so. - Gen. 3:4-5: The same lie told by the serpent in the Garden of Eden is the same lie that will keep Mormons out of heaven. - Who was that messenger of light telling Joseph Smith that all the creeds of Christendom were an abomination? (2 Cor. 11:14 - Satan as a messenger of light).
Who is the Mormon Jesus Christ? According to Mormon Doctrine: 1. Jesus is the brother of Satan. Jesus was a polygamist, marrying (2) Marys and Martha. 2. Jesus was not conceived by Holy Spirit:
According to Mormon doctrine: When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who was the father? He was the first of the human family. Jesus our elder brother was begotten in the flesh by the same character who was in the Garden of Eden and who is our father in heaven.
Now remember from this time forth and forever that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden he came into it with a celestial body and brought Eve, one of his celestial wives with him. He is our father and our god and the only god with whom we have to do. B. Young, JD, vol. 1, p. 50-51.
This contradicts the Bible (Matt. 1:18), but Brigham Young is their Prophet and mormons cannot deny him and stay in the Mormon Church. Young gave this sermon on April 9, 1852. It was printed in JD vol. 1, p. 50-51. Again reprinted 19 months later in Millennial Star no. 48, vol. 15, Nov. 26, 1853. Young further declared: I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men that they may not call it Scripture. B. Young, JD, vol. 13, p. 95.
3. The blood of Christ is not sufficient to atone for all sin. B. Young, JD, vol. 4, p. 385. There is not a man or a woman who violates covenants made with their God that they will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Jesus Christ will never wipe that out. Your own blood must atone for it. The judgment of the Almighty will come sooner or later and every man and woman will have to atone for their own sin.
... I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain in order to atone for their own sin. This is loving our neighbor as ourselves. If he needs help, help him. If he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his own blood on earth in order to be saved, then spill it. McConkie s Mormon Doctrine, p. 92-93.
What does the Bible say about the blood of Christ? But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7-9).
Mormon Doctrine of Salvation: Salvation comes through immersion baptism in the Mormon Church, obedience to the commandments of God, membership, and good works. If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, Mormon Doctrine, p. 670.
Mormon Doctrine of Salvation: Salvation is a process of self-perfection in and through the Mormon Church. You must earn and work for your salvation through membership in the Mormon church. Howard W. Hunter, Oct. 3, 1976, Semi- Annual Convention in Salt Lake City. He was one on the Council of 12 Apostles.
Mormon Doctrine of Salvation: The Mormon understanding of salvation is contrary to orthodox Christianity s understanding of salvation. These contradictions are found throughout the Bible, for examples see Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12, 16:31; John. 5:24 and 6:47.
Biblical View of Salvation: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life (I John 5:12-13).
Closing Thoughts: There is much more about the LDS that has not been covered in this brief study from its beliefs and statements on African-Americans, polygamy, and celestial wives for the men who become gods. The multiple edits and translation issues about the Book of Mormon and the documented stories of Joseph Smith reveal further dangers of this false belief system. Yet we must remember that those in this deceitful and false religion
Closing Thoughts: Mormons are not the enemy, but they are deceived by the enemy. Pray for them and attempt to share the gospel with them. Point our the inconsistencies in their beliefs without bashing them! Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil (I Thess. 5:21-22).