Posted on 12/26/2010 5:29:46 PM PST by Colofornian
Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian?
"To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity."
To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known Mormon doctrinal books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church: Gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Celestial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the Articles of Faith (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as Doctrines of Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
1. Is There More Than One True God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).
2. Was God Once a Man Like Us?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577).
3. Are Jesus and Satan Spirit Brothers?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (D&C 93:21; Journal of Discourses, 1:50-51; Gospel Principles, p. 11-13; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742; Ezra Taft Benson, Come unto Christ, p. 4; Robert L. Millet, The Mormon Faith: Understanding Restored Christianity, p. 31). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus, all angels, Lucifer, all demons, and all human beings are originally spirit brothers and sisters (Abraham 3:22-27; Moses 4:1-2; Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
4. Is God a Trinity?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649).
5. Was The Sin Of Adam and Eve a Great Evil Or a Great Blessing?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve was a great evil. Through their fall sin entered the world, bringing all human beings under condemnation and death. Thus we are born with a sinful nature, and will be judged for the sins we commit as individuals. (Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 5:12-21).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Adam’s sin was "a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (Gospel Principles, p. 33; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 2:25; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 114-115).
6. Can We Make Ourselves Worthy Before God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please — Romans 6:1-4).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23).
7. Does Christ's Atoning Death Benefit Those Who Reject Him?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669).
8. Is The Bible The Unique and Final Word of God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191).
9. Did The Early Church Fall Into Total Apostasy?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).
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Conclusion: The above points in italics constitute the common gospel believed by all orthodox Christians through the ages regardless of denominational labels. On the other hand, some new religions such as Mormonism claim to be Christian, but accept as Scripture writings outside of the Bible, teach doctrines that contradict the Bible, and hold to beliefs completely foreign to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.
Mormons share with orthodox Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism. While these differences do not keep us from being friendly with Mormons, we cannot consider them brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach "another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the evidence presented above, we believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel.
It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets of Mormonism — that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely established — the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon if one does not believe the fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the greater Christian community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept Mormonism as authentic Christianity?
If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly.
Statements of 5 Christian Denominations on Mormonism
Christian churches teach belief in God as an eternal, self-existent, immortal being, unfettered by corporeal limitations and unchanging in both character and nature. In recent years, several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible.
• Statement of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
• Statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Statement of the Roman Catholic Church
• Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Statement of the United Methodist Church
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ping
Frankly I don’t care if you listen to the MTC or not. Personally I have several friends who are/were in the MTC and I couldn’t stand listening to them when I was LDS, even at General Conference, but I don’t care what other people listen to, just what goes in my ears.
Placemarker for another day
Tell me something, HerrBlucher: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think you'd respond to Paul by saying, "Hey, Paul, it's great to be aware of erroneous teaching by some wolves & all, but, Paul, isn't the real question what are the fruits that these wolves-who-dress-like sheep bear? Good fruit or bad?
Defend against? Am I supposed to raise a theological battle whenever I encounter a Mormon? Or an Athiest? Or a Pantheist? Or a Jehovah's witness? Do you? If they proselytize error to me, then I defend my faith back, if they leave me alone and we just talk shop, sports, neighborhood etc, then that is what we do.
No, I don't call them wolves in sheeps clothing out to condemn people to hell. Wow that a Thanksgiving dinner that would be if I did....yikes! And what a day in Church that would be when I encounter Christians of the liberalized variety who hardly even believe in the supernatural, or don't at all.
And yes I judge my friends and family by the fruits they bear. Of course, that is my human judgement for the purpose of establishing, continuing, or rejecting relationships. God's judgement obviously is wholly different and for a different purpose.
Ya just have to wonder about a guy (a Mason) when he goes into a cave after whiffing some serious gas gets into a serious conversation with an angel named Moroni....(that alone would do me in) and then for reasons yet unknown to the rest of mankind, for the rest of his prophetic life (or pathetic) he has to stick his head into his hat to get some sort of a revelation....well of course, pure as the driven snow it is. Talking through your hat.....just the same as walking on water don’t ya know? What’s the problem here?
Even someone with a Jack Daniel’s Iv hookup can dial Joseph Smith in as a nut job. No RE-search needed, just search.
Or at least four men who can actually produce a good 4 part harmony..:)
Egad! I believe I've found the problem!
Why don’t you know go after Muslims??
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Because they are not knocking on my door telling me that Christian Churches are the whore of Babylon...
and mormonism is the only true “church”
You do realize that “ye shall know them by their fruits” is talking about false prophets, not the works of believers, don’t you?
I have several LDS friends and we discuss things other than religion but I still use every opportunity presented me to witness the truth of Christ with them, as I do with my atheist friends, wiccan friends, Jewish friends and even strangers.
Christ changed my life, He changed ME. How can I not share that joy with others and want to have them have that too?
Mormonism is NOT Christianity
The foul practice of polygamy is not part of Christianity..
Idol worship of the pagan Joey Smith is not part of Christianity...
Multiple gods are not part of Christianity...
A non-virgin Mary is not part of Christianity...
Only males going to Heaven is not part of Christianity...
Males becoming gods is not part of Christianity...
Males ruling their own planet is not part of Christianity...
A priesthood system as practiced by the mormons is not part of Christianity
Women as sex slaves in a harem is not part of Christianity...
Women having babies forever is not part of Christianity...
Women being called from their graves by husbands who decide the woman’s fate is not part of Christianity...
Degradation of women through adultery and so called “celestial marriage” is not part of Christianity...
Three levels of Heaven is not part of Christianity
Sex in Heaven is not part of Christianity…
Men marrying their mother-in-law is not part of Christianity…
Men marrying their daughter-in-law is not part of Christianity..
Men marrying their wife’s sister is not part of Christianity
Special underwear are not part of Christianity..
Special ceremony clothes are not part of Christianity…
Joey Smith deciding who gets into Heaven is not part of Christianity...
Joey Smith as the savior is not part of Christianity...
Recognizing and worshipping the blasphemous Joey Smith is not part of Christianty...
Claiming Joey Smith is equal to God is not part of Christianty...
Joey Smith claiming to be greater than Jesus is not part of Christianty...
Dead dunking is not part of Christianity...
The idol on top of the mormon temples is not part of Christianity...
The mormon temples are not part of Christianity...
Gathering in “zion” whether its in Missouri or Utah is not part of Christianity...
The return of the mormon jesus to Missouri is not part of Christianity...
The belief that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri is not part of Christianity...
People living on the sun and the moon is not part of Christianity...
The belief that the mormon jesus visited Central America is not part of Christianity...
Freemasonry as practiced by the mormons is not part of Christianity...
Endowments are not part of Christianity...
The book of mormon is not part of Christianity
The tall tales of Joey Smith are not part of Christianity
Mythical ancient civilizations in Central America are not part of Christianity
The so called “visions” and false prophecies of Joey Smith are not part of Christianity
The mormon Mary having sex with one of the mormon gods is not part of Christianity...
The absence of a cross on a building is not part of Christianity
Pagan and Freemasonry symbols on a building are not part of Christianity
“Going through the temple” is not part of Christianity...
The denial that Jesus is God is not part of Christianity...
The denial that the Holy Ghost is God is not part of Christianity...
The denial of the Trinity is not part of Christianity...
The belief that the mormon god was once a man is not part of Christianity
The belief that the mormon god was a polygamist is not part of Christianity...
The belief that the mormon jesus was a polygamist is not part of Christianity...
The belief that monogamy...one man, one woman...is prostitution is not part of Christianity...
The belief that David went to Hell forever is not part of Christianity.
The belief that David will not be in Heaven is not part of Christianity….
Paying tithes to be saved is not part of Christianity......
Works to be saved is not part of Christianity
Being a member of the mormon corporation is not part of Christianity...
The mormon jesus sweating in the Garden of Gethsemane for “atonement” is not part of Christianity...
The insulting, degrading, blasphemous false religion of mormonism is not Christianity...
I have never stopped MORMONS from practicing their own religion..
They are free to do so...
I do however state once again for the record...
Mormonism is NOT Christianity...
And if that’s considered “nasty” or “hateful” I’m in good company...
Because I’m just agreeing with the God of the Christian Bible...
King James Version included...
Why is that cause for such animosity on FR?
What would be the reason for a liberal tactic?
Over the years, I have observed lots of animosity on these threads. You think I’m using some sort of liberal tactic? For what? What would be the goal?
All I’m doing is observing what is happening and asking why.
You haven’t even come near answering the question. All you’ve done is made some rant about some liberal thing that doesn’t make any sense. Why not at least attempt to answer why this subject causes so much bad feelings and negativity.
Because every soul matters to God, and if only ONE person responds to what we do here, it is worth it.
BTW, I know of at least 3 people who have left Mormonism and come to Christ because of threads like this one.
Praise God for that!
Never heard of it in my life.
I guess it just goes to show that somebody is always trying to add to the bible. Sometimes they get shot down pretty quick, sometimes it takes a long time, but people are always willing to be fooled.
(see my tagline)
love the new tagline, T! And I love the vid you sent me!
The free online dictionary defines animosity to include "bitter hostility...active hatred."
It seems to me, therefore, that you assume because contentousness, argumentation, refutation & the like comes on these threads, that it equates to bitterness, hostility & active hatred...else why choose a word like "animosity?"
What? Did you grow up in a family where conflict automatically equated to hatred, bitterness, hostility & the like? Are you projecting?
Why do you assume you know the inner motivations of posters?
Bitterness?...Hey were it not for a Mormon ancestor who came to this country, would I be here X number of generations later?
Hostility? Where? Who? You point to some generic hostility...but you don't identify which post...which poster???
Active hatred? Again Who? What words constitute such hatred?
All I’m doing is observing what is happening and asking why.
You come w/these generic, vague accusations about your so-called "observations" of what's going on the "inside" of people -- as if you knew -- and then you say you want to know "why" when absolutely zilcho of a foundation has been laid to confirm any of your presumptions?
Well, let me turn the Q around: Why the presumptions?
Why the assumptions?
Do you know the inside heart of each poster?
Doesn't God say leave that up to Him who knows -- that man only looks @ the outward dimension? (see 1 Samuel 16:7 in the Old Testament)
What would be the reason for a liberal tactic?
(I don't know. How 'bout you telling us...'Cause unlike you, I'm not going to try to guess what's goin' on inside of you).
You think I’m using some sort of liberal tactic?
When you pretend to be able to judge inward motivations -- which is what the Gay & Lesbian community & the Supreme Court say motivated voters -- then, yes.
Yes I do. A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree bad fruit. If we are judging fruit by Theological correctness, then of course Mormons produce bad fruit, as do so many others. If we are judging by measure of kindness, compassion, neigborlyness, etc, that is a different question. Typically, a group of Mormons practice better morality, at least at face value, than any other group that I have encountered. Mormon neighborhoods, from what I have heard, have less crime etc. That is why I made the statement about home values.
So, what is the bad fruit that Mormons are producing? Well, Mormonism I guess. But for such an egregious departure from orthodox Christianity, there is something odd in the paradox of better morality associated with false doctrine. Again, and at risk for being flamed again, if I was shopping for a home, and could only know one thing about the neigborhood, I would ask the real estate agent...where do the mormons live?
Christ change my life and changed me also. I dabbled in many different beliefs before becoming a Christian, and I learned from all of them, each was actually a step toward Christ. Recognizing this, I tread lightly on those who appear to be taking the same steps and try to bring them into Christianity not by condemning those beliefs but by affirming Christianity. If I have contributed in any way toward bringing anyone to Christ then my life will have not been in vain. If I contribute in any way to cause others to run from Christ who are almost there, God help me.
...WHENever...? (I think w/your tone, I'd be satisfied to just here of ONEever)
Or an Athiest? Or a Pantheist? Or a Jehovah's witness? Do you?
The apostle Paul & Jesus approached people distinctly. Read his approach to polytheists on Mars Hill in Acts 17; then looked at how he approached Jewish legalists in Acts 18 & 19. The first place he headed when he came into a new community was to head to the synagogue...where he argued, persuaded, refuted...
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