Posted on 12/19/2009 7:10:18 PM PST by delacoert
The Rise of Mormonism
If anyone doubts that the Mormonism is a growing concern, just consider these facts. The Mormon church has grown from 2 million members in 1963 to 9.7 million members today with "stakes" (as they call their congregations) in 160 different countries. In the United States alone there are approximately 5 million people who claim to be Mormons!
As we express our deep concerns about the anti-Christian nature of Mormonism, it is important that we recognize that many Mormons are fine people, with high moral values and deep devotion to their family. The sincerity of the Mormon people is beyond question. But, they are sincerely wrong--very wrong--about the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Mormonism is an anti-Christian cult that uses many of the same terms as Christianity, but gives them entirely different meanings. Mormonism bases its religion on the Book of Mormon and the "inspired" revelations of its leaders, rather than on the Holy Bible, which alone is the Word of God.
The Beginnings of Mormonism
Joseph Smith Jr. founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. He claimed that he had received special revelations from God. He said that John the Baptist and angels visited him and led him to discover, in 1827, plates of gold upon which was engraved, in what he called "a reformed Egyptian language," the Book of Mormon. Smith gathered all his various documents together in 1833 into what Mormons today refer to as the Doctrine and Covenants (abbreviated D.C.). This is the source of their religion.
Unlike the Holy Scripture, there is not a single shred of verifiable, archeological evidence to support the Book of Mormon's fantastical claims of ancient civilizations and epic battles here in the Western Hemisphere. Even the claim of a "reformed Egyptian" language has been proven time and again to be a myth.
After Smith's death in 1844, the largest group of his followers accepted the leadership of Brigham Young and migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah, the present-day headquarters of the LDS.
Mormonism's Key Beliefs
"Restorationism" is the most important principle for the Mormon Church. It is their belief that the true church died with the first generation of apostles and was restored with Joseph Smith. The Mormons are experts at using terms familiar to Christians, but giving them different meanings. Let's take a moment now to examine a few key teachings of Mormonism.
The Holy Trinity
An official statement from the Mormon Church claims: "A paramount doctrine . . . is a belief in God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. The three make up the Godhead. They are one in purpose but separate in being." (LDS Internet site). This sounds very similar to Christianity, but a study of what Mormons mean when they use words like "godhead" is very revealing.
Mormonism rejects the Holy Trinity. The key to the Mormon doctrine of the Trinity is found in the words, "one in purpose but separate in being." Joseph Smith wrote, "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit" (D.C., 130:22).
Mormonism explicitly denies the God revealed in the Holy Scripture and the God confessed by all true Christians through the ages. Matthew 28:19 reveals that the Triune God consists of three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is three persons, equal in their divinity, yet one God. They are not separate, but of the same divine essence.
Brigham Young, Smith's successor, wrote, "When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. . . . He [Adam] is our Father and our god and the only God with whom we have to do" (Journal of Discourses, 1:50). Mormons explain that Young was describing Adam's elevation to a special, unique position of head of the human race, presumably its "only god" in distinction from the deified heads of other races in the universe.
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
Brigham Young wrote this about Jesus: "He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who was His Father--He was the first of the human family, Adam. . . . Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, pp. 50, 51). Mormons teach that God the Father had sex with the Mother Goddess and gave Jesus, the Son, a spirit body.
Obviously, since Mormons do not believe in the Son of God as He is revealed to us in the Bible, they also reject what He has done for us, namely, paid for all sins with His death on the cross. It is therefore no coincidence that you rarely, if ever, see a Mormon painting of the death of Christ. The crucifix is particularly offensive to Mormons. Why? Because they believe that the blood of Jesus Christ did not atone for all of our sins.
Brigham Young wrote in his Journal of Discourses, p. 247, "There is not a man or woman who violates covenants made with their God that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out. Your own blood must atone for it. Every man and woman will have to atone for breaking covenants." This is, of course, completely contrary to what Holy Scripture reveals, "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Salvation
Holy Scripture teaches clearly that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, apart from works (Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:8-11). In contrast to Christianity, Mormonism teaches that salvation is not a free gift of God, but something to be earned. A person may earn this salvation by believing in God, by receiving baptism by immersion, and then by fulfilling required works. Mormonism expressly rejects the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One of their "apostles," James Talmage wrote, "The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil since the early days of Christianity" (Articles of Faith, 1909, p. 120).
How does a Mormon believe a person is saved? A Mormon theologian puts it this way: "Without the Book of Mormon and other latter-day revelation, Christians are left without a full understanding of . . . Jesus Christ. This same Jesus Christ, God of the Old Testament and Redeemer of all, has once again benefited humankind by restoring the same teachings, principles, ordinances, and organization that he first brought to the world two thousand years ago" (Rex Lee, What Mormons Believe, p. 24-25).
Mormonism teaches its followers that they must do certain things to gain heaven. Since they reject the true Son of God, Jesus Christ, they can never have the assurance that they are saved by the love of God, revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Mormon church officially states: "The Purpose of Life" is the following: "All have the potential of eternal life, conditional upon individual worthiness and obedience to the Savior's ordinances and teachings." How tragic!
How Can We Reach Out to Mormons?
We need to approach this challenge with the attitude that it is God alone who converts a person to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We are merely God's instruments and our calling is to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:14). We know from God's Word that we are to be prepared to "give an answer" to everyone who asks about the hope we have in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15).
Based on the observations of those who have spent many years living and working among Mormons, here are some practical suggestions for witnessing to Mormons. It is important not to get into arguments with Mormons. As we defend our faith, we must always do so lovingly and with compassion, never merely for the sake of scoring debating points.
When we witness to Mormons, we need to be careful that we base our understandings of Mormonism on reliable sources. An excellent resource is available from Concordia Publishing House. I highly recommend the helpful booklet, How to Respond to . . . The Latter-day Saints, by Pastor Edgar P. Kaiser. You may obtain a copy from CPH by calling 800-325-3040.
The best thing we can do is to share with Mormons God's love and grace in Jesus Christ. We need to emphasize the powerful comfort we have knowing that God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to provide, totally and completely, for our salvation. We do not have to look to our own efforts for our salvation. The Mormon Gospel is only a new law. The true Gospel is the good news of God's work in Jesus Christ, which atones for all sin. The bottom line in witnessing to Mormons is to be aware of the fact that our job is to witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who converts a Mormon through God's Word. Finally, pray that the Lord would bless your words as you present the hope that is within you.
Pray too for the Mormon with whom you are speaking, asking that the Lord would break through the fog of error that clouds his mind so that he may come to know who God really is and what His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is really all about.
I also think that some are taken out of context for these anti-Mormon essays.
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Are you (or have you ever been) LDS?
If not, then how can you be sure they are taken out of context.
I was LDS for several years. I testify that these are in context and actual beliefs of rank and file members. Some beliefs discussed are considered “meat” doctrines, therefore not commonly discussed with “gentiles” (non mormons), but the are beliefs held by many of the rank and file and/or taught by their leaders.
God, in His amazing grace, saved me and saved me out of Mormonism. I speak from first hand knowledge and experience on these threads, as do many others who were also LDS at one point.
For some, souls are more important than politics.
Do not fear those that can only destroy the body, but fear the one that can destroy the body and soul. A Muslim can only kill me, but the teachings of the Mormons can do far, far worse.
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Exactly, nosterrex.
In the heat of the Missouri “Mormon War” of 1838, Joseph Smith made the following claim, “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ ”
Wow. That thread is still going?
This verse from Romans, although specifically about Israelites, also describes the LDS. They marry themselves to their created “Law” and seek to establish their own righteousness.
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.
And for others, a false dichotomy is a substitute for analysis.
It appears you aren’t “overly concerned” about the religion of atheism, or you wouldn’t waste your time putting down the LDS’s.
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Each Christian has their own calling. For some on here that calling is to witness to the LDS.
I have many friends who are called to witness to Atheists (Lee Strobel being one of them), I have friends who are called to witness to Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, even polygamists.
It is not that we are not concerned, it is being and doing what God is calling us to do.
I was, for several years, LDS. That gives me unique experiences and a common ground/knowledge when witnessing to them.
It is only by the grace of God, and a few people who did not adopt a “relativist” attitude that I was led to a saving knowledge of the Jesus of the Bible.
Wow. That thread is still going?
Yeah, apparently it is... :-)
The "wow" part for me, is just trying to get through all of those posts and see what everyone said. And I see you had an interesting conversation going with what I would call... "an angry dude"... that's my take on it... :-)
There are a lot of people, including conservatives who don't want anything to do with Christians. That's very clear from some posts that I've seen from some FReepers. They barely tolerate Christians here, so it's good to see Jim Robinson make it clear about this site.
And then, there are those who try to totally subvert Christian teachings and turn them into "cult teachings"... Boy! What a deal!
There's no way that this can be tolerated either. It's one thing to say that you believe something different, but it's totally something different to trick people into believing that you are "one thing" (i.e., "Christian") while trying to fool them into believing something totally opposed to it. It's amazing!
Such "fraud in religion" should never be tolerated here or anywhere else. At least -- "stand up for what you believe" and don't try to trick people into believing something else (like the ole "bait and switch" tactics).
And what “false dichotomy” would that be?
At least — “stand up for what you believe” and don’t try to trick people into believing something else (like the ole “bait and switch” tactics).
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You mean like telling potential converts one set of doctrines “milk” only for the converts to find out there are a whole other set of doctrines after they join “meat”?
When I was preparing for an LDS mission, I asked my instructor why we couldn’t teach certain doctrines to potential converts. I was told if we told them the whole truth, no one would ever join. That shook me.
And I see you had an interesting conversation going with what I would call... “an angry dude”... that’s my take on it... :-)
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You have NO IDEA. UGH.
I went to an LDS church a few times and intended to join. If what you say is true (and you have more experience than I, so I won’t dispute what you say), then they did a VERY good job of shielding me from their “anti-Christian” beliefs. They seemed very Christian to me.
But, I stopped going when people started visiting my house at random times to “see” how I was doing. I wasn’t ready for that level of intrusion. Then, I learned about some of the “weird” stuff (like the garment) and knew that I could never be a fully-practicing Mormon.
Since then, I have become a Methodist (which is every bit as heretical to many FReepers) and have learned the things that prove to me that Mormons are definitely wrong in their beliefs, but I still won’t call them “anti-Christian” as some have called them in this thread. They’re just misguided, just as the upper leadership of my church is.
I just get so tired of seeing these “Your Christian denomination sucks” fights. Wesleyans denouncing the TULIP of Calvinists, Baptists saying that no one else baptizes right, Protestants calling Catholics idolators, Catholics calling Protestants apostates, Mormons vs everyone, everyone vs Mormons, etc.
We all have a common enemy. The next time Mormons show up on my doorstep, I will argue with them that their are misguided but I will pray for them and with them that we all find the correct Way.
>>You mean like telling potential converts one set of doctrines “milk” only for the converts to find out there are a whole other set of doctrines after they join “meat”?
I heard the “milk and meat” mentioned and didn’t understand the context at the time. Once I left the LDS church and learned what it meant, that was an “I’m glad I got out of there” moment.
Ok; so you DON'T care about people's souls.
It's not MY job to change your mind.
So I should conclude from that then you would have no problems with religions which do crash planes into buildings? Heck, maybe all of Christianity should just surrender and let ourselves be killed by people who do wish to kill us in the name of their faith. If we do right by God, then we have nothing to worry about!
What’s your point.
Mormons do it honorably and without committing atrocities. What’s your point?
Yes it could.
Wrong is wrong.
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