Posted on 01/12/2010 7:26:55 PM PST by Colofornian
Hideous. That was the one word a pastor used to describe Mormonism to me the day I sat with him to give pointers on how he could counsel a brand new Christian who happened to also be a third generation Mormon.
It’s easy enough for those of us who work in Mormon ministries to become immune to the day to day blasphemous teachings of the LDS Church. So when someone comes along that is unfamiliar with the nuances and outrageous theology, it always gives us a fresh take on the scenario.
There are many other books written by reputable pastors and ministry workers that are better written with their vast experience of working in ministry to Mormons and I would refer you to them to receive better insight of how and why the Mormon teachings are unbiblical. My top endorsement would go to Ed Decker with Saints Alive who has written an encyclopedic work of major tenets within Mormonism called Decker’s Complete Handbook on Mormonism.
I did not compile this work to outshine or out-do anyone else’s massive amount of research and time. This list came about by providing PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) for a Calvary Chapel radio station in Nebraska! I would record about 45-50 announcements every other week and in order to keep track of them I had to begin alphabetizing them and keeping a journal of what I had already recorded at the radio station. This is a short list of those PSA’s.
The pastor in charge of the radio ministry at Calvary Chapel in Nebraska had asked me to give a 30-90 second side by side comparison of Mormonism vs. Christianity. I’ve listed the LDS reference and the biblical refutation under each.
Our hope is that these will aid those of you who are looking for ways to witness to Mormons and you’ll be blessed by them! We know and understand there are many choices to make regarding which biblical verse or passage you could use to refute, the choices we’ve made are what the Lord has shown to us at this time.
A
1 – Abortion
Ensign, November 1998, pg. 71; “Abortion is an ugly thing, a debasing thing, a thing which inevitably brings remorse and sorrow and regret…While we denounce it, we make allowance in such circumstances as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is judged by competent medical authority to be in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have serious defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.”
Genesis 9:6; “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”
2 – Abraham, Lineage of is Pure
Answers to Gospel Questions 1:171; “…Abraham, Joseph, and Moses married women of their own race, and we need have no worry over our lineage, because we are of that same race.”
Galatians 3:16; “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
3 – Abuse
Ensign, May 1992, pg. 31; “The victim must do all in his or her power to stop the abuse. Most often, the victim is innocent because of being disabled by fear or the power or authority of the offender. At some point in time, however, the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse. Your priesthood leader will help assess your responsibility so that, if needed, it can be addressed…
As a victim, do not waste effort in revenge or retribution against your aggressor. Focus on your responsibility to do what is in your power to correct. Leave the handling of the offender to civil and Church authorities. Whatever they do, eventually the guilty will face the Perfect Judge. Ultimately the unrepentant abuser will be punished by a just God.”
Psalm 18:45-48; “The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.”
4 – Active LDS
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 14; “The religious practices of active Latter-day Saints include attendance at worship services and religious education classes on Sunday; donation of tithing and other financial contributions; service in a variety of Church callings; performance of temple ordinances on behalf of the deceased; personal and family prayer; scripture study; religious discussion with other family members; adherence to moral standards of personal honesty and integrity; genealogical research; service in the community; and development of habits of thrift and self-sufficiency.”
Isaiah 64:6; “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Adam
5 – Adam & Eve Praises God for Their Sin
Moses 5:11; “And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”
Genesis 3:9-16; “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
6 – Adam Created by the gods
EM, pg. 15; “Latter-day scriptures attest that Adam is a son of God, that his physical body was created by the Gods in their own image and placed in the Garden of Eden (Moses 6:9, 22; Abr. 5:7-11; TPJS, p. 345-53; cf. 2 Ne. 2:14-19).”
Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
7 – Adam-God Doctrine
D&C 27:11; “And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days.”
D&C 78:16; “Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, and set him upon high, and given unto him the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life.”
Exodus 20:3-5; “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”
8 – Adam Holds Priesthood
EM pg. 16; “As the first on this earth to receive priesthood keys, Adam continues to dispense authority to others and to watch over priesthood administration on the earth; those to whom keys have been given must return them or account for them to Adam…”
Hebrews 7:5; “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham.”
9 – Adam Lived in America
Orson Pratt, JD 12:339; “The very first man who had dominion on the face of the earth, under the direction of the Heavens, once dwelt on this Continent. His name was Adam. Whether his first residence was on this land, whether the garden that was planted for his occupation was on this Continent, or some other, is not revealed in any written or printed revelation. But he certainly did, in the course of his lifetime, either from this being his native land, or by emigration, actually come in possession of this part of the globe…”
Genesis 2:15; “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
10 – Adam Spread the Gospel
Adam, Who is He, pg. 9; “Adam received the holy priesthood and was commanded by the Lord to teach his children the principles of the gospel. Moreover, Adam was baptized for the remission of his sins, for the same principles by which men are saved now were the principles by which men were saved in the beginning. In that day as many as repented and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Adam made all these things known to his sons and daughters." (Doctrines of Salvation, Bookcraft, 1956, 3:81-82.)”
Mark 1:1; “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…” (Also see Matt. 4:16-17.)
11 – Adam is Archangel Michael
D&C 27:11; “And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days.”
Revelations 12:7; “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.”
12 – Age of Man, Age of God
Doctrinal Themes of D&C pg. 17; “Thus, man is as old as God, in that the basic element of life within him was never created and, in fact, cannot be created.”
Deuteronomy 32:6; “Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?”
13 – Amalekites
Omni 1:12-30; “Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—…30 And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking.”
Exodus 17:8-11; “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”
14 – Ammon Reads Man’s Thoughts
Alma 18:18; “Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?”
Ps. 94:11; “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”
15 – Ammonites
Alma 24:17-18; “And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. 18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.”
Genesis 19:38; “And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.”
16 – Ancient of Days; Jesus or Adam?
TPJS, pg. 167; “Commencing with Adam, who was the first man, who is spoken of in Daniel as being the "Ancient of Days," or in other words, the first and oldest of all, the great, grand progenitor of whom it is said in another place he is Michael, because he was the first and father of all.”
Daniel 7:9; “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.”
17 – Angels
D&C 129:1-9; “There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 3 Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory. 4 When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. 5 If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand. 6 If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear—7 Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message. 8 If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him. 9 These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.”
1 John 4:1; “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
18 – Angels & Handshakes
HC 5:267; “When a messenger comes, saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand, and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect, he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message. If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.”
James 4:7-8; “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
19 – Angel of Light
Intro D&C (1976); Moroni is an “angel of light”.
2 Cor. 11:14; “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
20 – Angel of Light, Other Gospels
Lord Needed a Prophet, pg. 10; “Joseph watched in wide-eyed wonderment as the personage moved toward him without touching the floor…Joseph was spellbound. He listened to the angel tell how, when the right time came, he—a poor farm boy—would be able to translate the ancient writing on the plates of gold. He would have the help of the Lord and two small stones called the Urim and Thummim…Moroni told Joseph many other marvelous things, but finally the light began to diminish, and Moroni disappeared. He returned to Joseph's bedside two more times during the night...”
Galatians 1:6-9; “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
21 – Antichrist – 2/2008
Confessing spirit of Smith is of God – Discourses of Brigham Young, pg. 435; “Whosoever confesseth that Joseph Smith was sent of God to reveal the holy Gospel to the children of men, and lay the foundation for gathering Israel, and building up the Kingdom of God on the earth, that spirit is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist, no matter whether it is found in a pulpit or on a throne. 8:176.”
1 John 4:1-3; “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.”
22 – Apostasy of Body of Christ
Jesus the Christ, pg. 692; “For over seventeen hundred years on the eastern hemisphere, and for more than fourteen centuries on the western, there appears to have been silence between the heavens and the earth. Of direct revelation from God to man during this long interval, we have no authentic record. As already shown, the period of apostolic ministry on the eastern continent probably terminated before the dawn of the second century of the Christian era. The passing of the apostles was followed by the rapid development of a universal apostasy as had been foreseen and predicted.”
1 Thessalonians 4:8; “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
23 – Apostasy; Church of the Devil
JD 18:215-216; “There are only two churches on the earth—only two parties. God leads the one, the devil the other. As soon as a man hears the Gospel preached and becomes convinced of this truthfulness, he is tempted of the devil, who, whenever there is an opportunity, suggests doubt for his reflection…This single doubt is perhaps the beginning of his apostacy from the Church. In the days of Joseph, people were inclined to turn away from the faith and go into apostacy [sic], as much as they do to in proportion to our numbers, and I have sometimes thought more so. You allow the devil to suggest to you that I am not leading you right, and allow that thought to abide in your hearts, and I will promise you that it will lead you to apostacy [sic]. You allow yourselves to doubt anything that God has revealed, and it will not be a great while before you begin to neglect your prayers, refuse to pay your Tithing, and find fault with the authorities of the Church.”
2 Timothy 2:19; “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
24 – Apostasy, Signs of, Those Who Question - *
History of the Church 3:385; “I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives.”
Luke 13:26-27; “But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”
25 – Apostates
January 1974 Ensign, pg. 78, Harold B. Lee; “…some of the greatest of our enemies are those within our own ranks. It was the lament of the Master, as he witnessed one of those chosen men, who under inspiration he chose as one of the Twelve, betray him with a kiss and for a few paltry pieces of silver turn him over to his enemies…When we see some of our own today doing similar things, some who have been recognized and honored in the past as teachers and leaders who later fall by the wayside, our hearts are made sore and tender. But sometimes we have to say just like the Master said, “The devil must have entered into them.”… “Many have belittled Joseph Smith, but those who have will be forgotten in the remains of mother earth, and the odor of their infamy will ever be with them, but honor, majesty, and fidelity to God, exemplified by Joseph Smith and attached to his name, will never die.”…No truer words were ever spoken, and that person fell just as all others will fall who try to tear down the work of the Lord.”
Mark 13:22-23; “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”
26 – Apostle
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 59; “An "apostle" is an ordained leader in the Melchizedek Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Apostles are chosen through inspiration by the president of the church, sustained by the general membership of the Church, and ordained by the First Presidency and the quorum of the Twelve apostles by the laying on of hands. They serve as general authorities-as distinguished from local and regional officers-holding their office as apostle for the duration of their lives. The senior apostle is the President of the Church.”
Matthew 19:28; “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
27 – Apostles, Three Never Die
D&C 7:1-3, 7-8; “And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory…And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come. Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.”
John 21:20-23; “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” (Also see Foxe’s Book of Martyrs for listing of how each of these apostles died.)
28 – Apostles, Twelve Nephite
Latter-day Prophets & the D&C 1:101; “After Jesus had been crucified and had ascended unto his Father, he visited his "other sheep" in America, known as the Nephites, and there chose twelve disciples and organized his Church, as he had done among the Jews, an account of which is given in some detail in Third Nephi of the Book of Mormon. [3 Nephi 15:11-24.] (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, 1950, pp. 51-52.)”
Isaiah 30:1-2; “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!”
29 – Why Did the 12 Apostles Die?
Contributor 1:76; “The Book of Covenants plainly informs us that the disciples of Jesus were destroyed because they in their hearts forgave not one another.”
1 Thess. 1:5; “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
2:10; “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.”
2 Cor. 1:12; “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
30 – Archaeology & Book of Mormon
Answers to Gospel Questions 2:196; “It is the personal opinion of the writer that the Lord does not intend that the Book of Mormon, at least at the present time, shall be proved true by any archaeological findings. The day may come when such will be the case, but not now.”
Holman Bible Dictionary for Archaeology; “The purpose of archaeology is not to “prove the Bible.” This lies outside the scope of archaeology and, in any case, the Bible does not need to be “proved.” Archaeology can, however, make considerable contribution to one’s understanding of the Bible. It can help clarify and illuminate the Bible in many important ways.”
31 – Archaeology & Book of Mormon
Ray T. Matheny, Mormon scholar and BYU professor of anthropology, letter dated Dec. 17, 1987; “While some people chose to make claims for the Book of Mormon through archaeological evidences, to me they are made prematurely, and without sufficient knowledge. I do not support the books written on this subject including The Messiah in Ancient America, or any other. I believe that the authors are making cases out of too little evidences and do not adequately address the problems that archaeology and the Book of Mormon present. I would feel terribly embarrassed if anyone sent a copy of any book written on the subject to the National Museum of Natural History – Smithsonian Institution, or other authority, making claims that cannot as yet be substantiated.... there are very severe problems in this field in trying to make correlations with the scriptures. Speculation, such as practiced so far by Mormon authors has not given church members credibility.” 1 John 4:1-4; “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
32 – Arson, Nauvoo Expositor
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 48; “By 1844 Joseph Smith also faced serious dissension within the Church. Several of his closest associates disagreed with him over the plural marriage revelation and other doctrines…They became allied with local anti-Mormon elements and published one issue of a newspaper, the Nauvoo Expositor. In it they charged that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, guilty of whoredoms, and dishonest in financial matters…The Nauvoo City Council and Mayor Joseph Smith declared the newspaper an illegal 'nuisance' and directed the town marshal to destroy the press. This destruction inflamed the hostile anti-Mormons around Nauvoo. On June 12, 1844, Thomas Sharp's newspaper, the Warsaw Signal, called for the extermination of the Latter-day Saints: "War and extermination is inevitable!”
Proverbs 10:6; “Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”
33 – Atonement; Effects of
Ensign Nov. 2006, pg. 33; “Is it possible to reclaim a life that through reckless abandon has become so strewn with garbage that it appears that the person is unforgivable? Or what about the one who is making an honest effort but has fallen back into sin so many times that he feels that there is no possible way to break the seemingly endless pattern? Or what about the person who has changed his life but just can't forgive himself? . . ."The Atonement of Jesus Christ is available to each of us. His Atonement is infinite. It applies to everyone, even you. It can clean, reclaim, and sanctify even you. That is what infinite means--total, complete, all, forever.”
Revelations 21:1-7; “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
34 – Atonement, Man Must Atone for Own Sin
MD, pg. 92; “But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment. Thus, also, if a person has so progressed in righteousness that his calling and election has been made sure, if he has come to that position where he knows "by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood" that he is sealed up unto eternal life (D. & C. 131:5), then if he gains forgiveness for certain grievous sins, he must "be destroyed in the flesh," and "delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God." (D. & C. 132:19-27.)”
Romans 10:13; “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
35 – Atonement; Mormon Atonement is Peculiar
B.H. Roberts, Seventies Course in Theology 4:113-114; “Phase of the Atonement Peculiar to "Mormonism:" It may be remarked in passing that the difference noted in the foregoing paragraphs of this lesson on applying the Christ's Atonement to Adam's sin and man's personal sins—in the first case unconditional, and in the second conditional—is a doctrine, in modern times, peculiar to "Mormonism;" or, to speak more accurately, to the New Dispensation of the Gospel revealed to Joseph Smith; and is derived almost wholly from the teachings of the Book of Mormon.”
Galatians 3:15-17; “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”
36 – Atonement, Place of
EM, pg. 85; “To meet the demands of the Atonement, the sinless Christ went first into the Garden of Gethsemane, there to bear the spiritual agony of soul only he could bear. He "began to be sorrowful and very heavy," saying to his three chief disciples, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, unto death" (Mark 14:34). Leaving them to keep watch, he went further into the garden, where he would suffer "the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam" (2 Ne. 9:21). There he "struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible" (JC, p. 613).”
Hebrews 13:12; “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
37 – Authority to Preach
HC 5:256-7; “Whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in His name, and where there is a priest of God—a minister who has power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the gospel and officiate in the priesthood of God, there is the kingdom of God; and, in consequence of rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Prophets whom God hath sent, the judgments of God have rested upon people, cities, and nations, in various ages of the world, which was the case with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that were destroyed for rejecting the Prophets.”
John 15:16; “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
38 – Authorization for Twelve Nephites
3 Nephi 12:1; “And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.”
1 Timothy 4:16; “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
B
39 – Babies; When Baby Kicks Spirit Enters Body
Brigham Young, JD 18:258-259; “When the body is prepared, at the proper time, the spirit enters the tabernacle, and all the world of mankind in their reflections and researches must come to this conclusion, for the fact is they can come to no other—that when the mother feels life there is an evidence that the spirit from heaven has entered the tabernacle.”
Genesis 2:7; “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
40 – Baptism for the Dead
D&C 124:29-30; “For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead—For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.”
1 Cor. 15:29; “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”
it makes me so grateful and happy to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
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You will feel differently come Judgment day. When Christ says to the LDS,‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21), for you follow a false prophet, seek after your own glory (exaltation), and rely on your works to earn favor with God.
Saundra, are you worthy? Really, really “worthy”?
Look at the fruit.
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What fruit would that be? The fruit of a false prophet? By their fruits ye shall know them” is about false prophets specifically.
The “fruits” of Joseph Smith (and BY):
Polygamy
Teen marriage
Shunning of “apostates”
deception
money digging
the Kirtland Bank fiasco
the deaths during the trek to Utah
pride
claiming he could translate “Egyptian” and other languages
the Danites
Mountain Meadows Massacre
the gunfight at Carthage
And MANY others...
Even if JS/BY was not directly involved, their teachings led to these horrific things
When I read these anti Mormon rants, it makes me so grateful and happy to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Go, Mormons! Look at the fruit. CTR to y’all!
____________________
Just quoting the wisdom of the Proverb. In fact the whole of it is another reason I hope you're not wasting your time here. I certainly have been a fool to even engage.
I don't think I'll make it my tagline, but it certainly fits. Proverbs 26:11
Oh, good. You posted your creed. Which I find somewhat amusing since many LDS claim ALL creeds are corrupt, not just the traditional ones.
And there are MANY LDS doctrines that are not covered in the AoF (many of the same ones that are not mentioned to “investigators”).
Would you like me to list them?
Saundra, how do YOU feel about the LDS “lying for the Lord”
Abraham 2:23-25 (where God tell Abraham to LIE)
22 And it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon;
23 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise:
24 Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live.
25 And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee.
Mormons are Christians on steroids!
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ROFLMAO!!!! Not even close Saundra. Like the Israelites Paul spoke about, Mormons are zealous but do not have knowledge and seek after their OWN righteousness instead of the Righteousness of Christ.
Romans 10:1-4
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Quote of the decade ping!
In fact the whole of it is another reason I hope you’re not wasting your time here.
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Is that it? Or are you afraid she might LEARN something??
President George Q. Cannon said: “If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]” (as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142).
Shall we assume Saint Peter to be on eternal vacation to have taken a demotion to some other part of heaven?
Then the rest of us are spiritual eunuchs?
Worthy and well qualified, of good report and coming well recommended?
Do you notice it is usually the dumb jocks that take steroids? And that might explain some of the “roid rage” directed at us.
Hum...
Interesting...
There is a reason Steroid use is banned in sports.
It causes all kinds of problems for the user including impotence in men and a cessation of the menstrual cycle in women, and it has been reported that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. The long term effects are not know.
Perhaps it is time to test LDS athletes...
it has been reported that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.
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Well, it WOULD explain a lot of their behavior...
Bring it on, baby. We Mormons are a peculiar people; I’ll grant you that.
OK, if you insist.
Thank you for fulfilling prophesy. Joseph Smith said his name would be known for good and for evil. I know his name for good and you know his name for evil.
LOL. Some “prophecy” since JS admitted that he had enemies from the time he first came out with his stories. He was known “for good and evil” long before he had this supposed prophecy. I am not fulfilling anything in that regard.
The fruit is flowing.
\What fruit is that? Are you referring to the “by their fruits ye shall know them”? If so, then you should be aware that Jesus is speaking of FALSE PROPHETS and by the “fruits” of Joseph Smith, there is no doubt he was a false prophet.
We actually believe the Bible. Every time I read the Bible I feel the Holy Ghost. Every time I read the Book of Mormon I feel the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.
The LDS only believe the Bible “so far as it is translated correctly” (Eighth Article of Faith), which usually means that they only accept parts of the Bible that they can use to support their doctrine.
Tell me, Saundra, if the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price disagree with the Bible (and they do in several parts), which one do you rely on more? The Bible or other LDS “scripture”? And again you rely on feelings to show you what is “true”. The Bible does not ask us to pray about its truthfulness, it doesn’t need to. We are to be like the Bereans, testing every doctrine against the Bible, not our feelings. LDS doctrine in no way stands up to the Bible.
The Book of Mormon is a testament to a false gospel. There is no non-mormon archeological evidence that supports it (in contrast to the Bible), being a professional member of the Archaeological Institute of America (and past president of a large chapter), I have had the opportunity to discuss the topic with Mesoamerican archeologists. None of them accept LDS apologetic interpretations of archaeology and many go so far as to label “Book of Mormon archeology” Pseudo-Archeology. It is a damning assessment indeed.
Also, there are many inconsistencies and anachronisms in the BoM, and there have been MAJOR changes to a book that was supposedly translated word for word by the power of God.
The Savior is all throughout the Book of Mormon, just as He is all throughout the Bible. I love the Savior. He died for me to save me from my sins and to make it possible for me to return to my Heavenly Father.
The LDS worship a very different “savior”. To the LDS Jesus is our “elder brother”, just another spirit child (albeit the oldest), who lived a perfect life because he could and to be a “good example” to us, then suffered in the garden of Gethsemane (with the help of ministering angels to make it easier to pay for the sins we can’t make up for with our good works), died on the cross because he had to die someway and that was the common method of the time, and rose from the dead just so we could all be resurrected which is necessary to “progress to godhood”.
The LDS Jesus had to earn his Godhood, was physically begotten through God having sex with Mary, “outbid” Lucifer in his idea (which is silly because he should have known that there was going to have to be a Savoir since God, when he was a human, lived on an earth that had a savior too, and was probably married (possibly a polygamist) and had kids (think about this – if Jesus got married KNOWING that he was going to die in a few years leaving behind at least one widow, that would be selfish and selfishness is a SIN, so Jesus could quite possibly be a SINNER on top of it, thus not making him a perfect sinless sacrifice required to appease God’s demand for justice).
On top of all that, you still have to do all these requirements in order to get back to Heavenly Father, the LDS say you have to be baptized by their priesthood, pay your tithing, live their health code, attend meetings, take the sacrament (wonder bread and water – which completely nullifies the symbolism of body and blood), take out your endowments (including learning all the secret handshakes and oaths that are SUPPOSED TO BE ETERNAL yet change every 20 years or so), be married in the Temple, and a myriad of other rules and rituals. THEN, AND ONLY THEN does the sacrifice of Jesus in the Garden “kick in” to “help out” with your salvation. If you fail in any of these then you only get to go to a lessor “kingdom” and do not get to go back to the presence of Heavenly Father or continue in your “progression”.
This is a COMPLETELY different (and much weaker) Christ than what the Bible teaches and in whom Traditional Christians place their faith.
Contrast the above LDS “Christ” with Ann Coulter’s description of the Christian Jesus and the Biblical plan of salvation (notice it is the CROSS, not the garden):
From Ann Coulter - God sent his only son to get the **** beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you -- sins even worse than adultery! -- because of the cross.
"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2422557/posts
The miracle and glory of Salvation (returning to the presence of God) is that Christ PAID it all. When he was on the Cross, Christ said “it is finished”. The greek term for “finished” is an economic term meaning “paid in full”. His sinless blood, spilled from the cross (with no comfort from angels), paid our debt in full. If we believe that, truly believe then we are spiritually reborn, regneratated, a NEW CREATURE. We do good works because of this regeneration, not in order to gain God’s favor but because there is NOTHING we can do to to earn His favor. Grace is grace, if it be of works, then grace is no longer grace.
The amazing thing about grace is that Jesus didn’t have to suffer and die, He CHOSE to because He was the only one who could pay for our sins. If the Law could save (if we could contribute to our salvation IN ANY WAY) then Christ didn’t need to come to earth and die for us.
By claiming that we have to do any works (rites, rituals, meetings etc) to get back to God is to NULLIFY and SPIT UPON the sacrifice of Jesus.
We get dunked “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost” - a full dunk. There are witnesses to make sure that our little toe doesn’t poke out. I mean, it’s a full dunk!! I went to a Baptism recently and felt the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Feelings should not be the basis of faith. Yet for the LDS they are the primary means of knowing ‘truth’. What about Muslims, Hindus, or Satanists? They will all say they feel their beliefs are “true”? What makes your ‘truth’ better than theirs? Satan can appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).
Christians put their faith in the Bible alone, then faith, THEN feelings. Mormons put feelings first, then faith, then facts if they fit (and Bible verses taken OUT OF CONTEXT when applicable).
Just because you baptize in the name of the “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” does not make the LDS Christians. As I have posted before, having the name Jesus Christ in the title of your Church (which is a requirement for Campbellite Restoration groups) does not make you Christian any more than putting “auto repairs” on the side of your garage makes you an auto mechanic.
Christian churches do “full dunks” as well. When I was baptized as a Christian, it was in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and full immersion. But, unlike the LDS, I was not baptized into any denomination; I was baptized into the universal Body of Christ.
Your emphasis on the “full dunk” (mentioned twice), including the part about “witnesses to make sure our little toe doesn’t poke out” graphically shows the legalism of the LDS. The LDS focus so much on the “letter” of their law and often ignore the spirit of it. To the LDS, it is so essential that the little toe gets wet or it is not “valid”, that they entirely miss the symbolic point of baptism, that we are BURIED with Christ and raised to a newness of life. Even LDS baptism is controlled by a man made set of rules and ignores the symbolic intention of baptism, a public symbolic outward demonstration of an inward change. *shakes head*
I have no doubt you believe you felt the Holy Spirit, however, having been on both sides (LDS and Evangelical Christian) I can tell you with absolute certainty that what the LDS call feeling the Holy Spirit is just “warm fuzzies” that they want/expect to feel. Feeling the presence of the REAL Holy Spirit is something much richer, much more sublime and cannot be faked. It transcends the “burning in the bosom” and ”warm fuzzies” in a way than can only be experienced through a regeneration of the inner man through Christ Jesus.
I pray that someday you will submit yourself to the Jesus of the Bible and really feel the Holy Spirit.
Mormons are Christians on steroids!
That is STILL the funniest thing I have heard in a VERY long time. Do you know what steroids do to people?
It appears he(?) is biding his time until a REALLY inane comment from the Morg is needed...
“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”
Speaking of MormonDupe...
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