MORMONISM

Culture Within A
Culture
Exploring the differences
between Biblical Christianity and
the doctrines, practices, and
beliefs of our
LDS friends.

- Week Two –
HISTORY
Prophets, Pioneers, and
Polygamy
 Gateway International Bible Institute 
4445 W. Olive Ave.
Glendale, Arizona 85302
602-993-5353 
Presented by Karrie Browning

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 JOSEPH SMITH
-LDS Founder-
“ Latter-Day Prophet, S_________, and R______________”
who founded the LDS church with the publication of the Book
of Mormon in 1830.

The First Vision ( an official version) – In 1820, at age 14,

Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray because …
_________________________________________________
“Two personages”, G_________________ and J__________
appeared to him, and told him:
All churches were W______________, Their creeds were an
A__________________, and their pastors
C_______________, and not to join any of them. He would be
told later what to do.

The Sacred Grove –

The Restoration – In 1823, The Angel M__________appeared

______ times in Joseph Smith’s bedroom. He told him that he
was sent by God to reveal ancient records, “T______
G__________ P___________” inscribed with the early history
of the Americas. These plates contained the “F___________
of the E_________________ G_____________.
Four years later, Joseph was instructed by Moroni to dig up the
plates and translate them. The gold plates had writings on them
in “R_____________ E____________” and the translation is
now called T________ B__________of M__________. The
golden plates were taken ___________by Moroni after the
translation was complete. Part of them remained sealed to be
brought forth in the E_____ T________.
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 JOSEPH SMITH (CONTINUED)
Background - Joseph and his father were known for
___________________________________________________
Testimonies of his mother tell of how he could spin a tall tale for
entertainment for the family. He also became a 33rd Degree
Freemason with his brother Hyrum, and incorporated some of the
practices into the “revealed” LDS temple ceremonies… (Most
rank & file LDS do not know this background, or do not consider it a
problem.)

The Translation Method – Initially Joseph claimed that buried with

the golden plates was a breastplate and spectacles with two
stones to look through called the U______ and T____________
(U&T). At one point, as punishment for losing 116 pages of the
“translation,” the angel took the plates and the (U&T) away.
When he returned them, Joseph was not allowed to re-translate
any of the pages and the U&T was not returned, so Joseph put a
stone in a black hat and put his face in the hat “reading” the
words that would appear and dictating them to “scribes” that
were helping him, including Oliver Cowdery, and his wife,
Emma. (Most LDS know that he translated to scribes, but often do not
know “how”.)

Polygamy – From January 1827 through November 1843, Joseph

Smith married ______ wives from ages ______ to _____,
including sisters, a “foster daughter”, and _____ women who
were concurrently married to other husbands. Emma, his first
wife, was not pleased when she discovered this early on, but
Joseph “got a revelation” for her that she’d be destroyed by god
if she didn’t cooperate. (D&C132:54) According to the intro to
this section of the D&C, this revelation was recorded in July
1843, but “from the historical records…the doctrines and
principles… had been known by the prophet since 1831.” By
1843, Joseph Smith had 29 wives. (Most LDS do not know the
details and timeframes of the wives of Joseph Smith, just that he practiced
polygamy, and that incited “mobs” against the church.)

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 PIONEERS, UTAH,
& BRIGHAM YOUNG
The Pioneers - The “Latter-Day Saints” became nomadic due to the
controversial practice of polygamy and other peculiar doctrines.
They moved from Palmyra, New York to Kirtland, Ohio; Far
West, Missouri; and finally settled for a time in Nauvoo, Illinois
until the death of Joseph Smith. The church grew as they
moved. They are revered by LDS to this day for their sacrifices
for the church, traveling by covered wagon, and the hardships of
settling the West.
Brigham Young - The Latter-Day “Moses” – Led the exodus to
the West, established the LDS in the territory, and future state of
Utah. He was prophet and president of the LDS church after the
death of Joseph Smith, and remained the leader of the church
until his death 30 years after the arrival in the Utah territory. He
organized the church as most recognize it today, including the
beginnings of the educational programs.
The Handcart Companies – A group of LDS immigrants and
migrants that were sent West by Brigham Young pushing and
pulling their meager belongings in handcarts because they were
cheaper than covered wagons.
Zion, The Gathering of Israel, Deseret – The growth of the LDS
church settled in what would become Utah.
Temples and Temple Work – Helped in the completion of the
Kirtland, Ohio temple, was given the temple ordinances along
with other apostles by Joseph Smith to continue them; dedicated
the first temple in Utah in St. George.
Polygamist – 48 wives, some married concurrently to other men,
some former wives of Joseph Smith.

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 LDS SCRIPTURES
The Sacred Scriptures (The “Standard Works”)
• B_______ of M_____________ - The Most Important volume
of scripture to LDS. Claims to be another testament of Jesus Christ, and
a historical record of Israelites in America who were the forefathers of
Native Americans. Considered by LDS the “most correct of any book
on earth.”
• D________________ and C__________________ - A
volume of modern-day revelations from God to the Mormon Church
written by various latter-day prophets. Contains the dietary “Word of
Wisdom,” and various practices, including polygamy.
• The P___________ of G____________ P___________
- A compilation of special revelations of Joseph Smith. Contains
writings of Moses, Abraham (translated from a papyrus document) the
Official History of Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith Translation (of the
Bible).
• The A__________K_______ J________ V__________
of the Bible. It is printed by the LDS church and cross-referenced to the
other Standard Works. Only considered the word of God “as far as it is
translated correctly.” Believe many P___________ and
P____________ T__________ are missing or changed from original.

• All are believed to be revealed by God to the prophets.

The Book of Mormon – Has been changed by the church over _____ times.
Was supposedly translated from “reformed Egyptian”, a non-existent
language. DNA evidence has proved that no Native Americans are of
Hebrew descent. Contains many “anachronisms”, or references to items
and details that are out of place in reference to time.

D&C - Many of the prophecies from the prophets have never come to pass.

Pearl of Great Price - The Papyrus document that Joseph Smith used to
translate the Book of Abraham was later found and translated by an
Egyptologist, and found to be burial instructions called the Book of
Breathings.

Joseph Smith Translation (of the Bible) – Never completed, KJV Bible
altered with additions and deletions that support LDS doctrine.
Segments in Pearl of Great Price.
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 WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The LDS will tell you that theirs is the true church of Jesus
Christ on the earth because the name of the church literally
bears His name, not “the Baptist,” or “the Methodist,” etc.
How do you refute that?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The - A singular definite article used as a function word to

indicate that a following noun is DEFINITE. (Example: Which
church? THE church.) Also used to indicate that the following
noun is unique or a particular member of its class (THE President,
THE Lord). In Mormonism: THE “one and only true…” is implied.
Church – A body of religious believers. In Mormonism: Any
reference, Biblical or otherwise, to “the church” means “The LDS
Church.
of - A preposition used as a function word to indicate a particular
example describing the previous noun.
Jesus Christ – God Incarnate, or, In Mormonism: The spirit-
brother of Lucifer, the firstborn son of Elohim in the pre-
existence, who was begotten in the flesh by Mary to set an
example, atone for most sins in Gethsemane, and died to
purchase universal resurrection.
of – (see above)… in this case… describes “which Jesus Christ”
Latter-Day Saints - The body of the Mormon church. In this
case, describes which Jesus.
Believers in The Jesus Christ of The Holy Bible,
bear The Name of Jesus, the characteristicsAllof God,
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 DEFINITIONS
Apostasy – 1)Renunciation of a religious faith. 2)
abandonment of previous loyalty: DEFECTION

Martyr – One who VOLUNTARILY suffers death as the

penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce his
religion.
-------------------------

Divination – Practice of trying to foresee or foretell

future events or discover hidden knowledge usually
by the interpretation of omens or with the aid of
supernatural powers. Diviner – One that practices
divination: SOOTHSAYER

Necromancy – Speaking to the dead. 1) Conjuring the

spirits of the dead for purposes of magically
revealing the future or influencing the course of
events. 2) Magic, Sorcery
Joseph Smith claimed to see Peter, James, John,
Elijah, Moses and others. Brigham Young claimed to
see Joseph Smith after his death.

Occult – matters and practices regarding supernatural

or supernormal powers or some secret knowledge,
including Satanism, black magic, fortune telling.

Witchcraft – The use of sorcery or magic,

communication with the devil or a familiar.

-------------------------

Polygamy (“Plural Marriage”) – A marriage in which

a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate
at a time. Polygyny –Having more than one wife or
female mate at a time. Polyandry–Having more
than one husband or male mate at a time.

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 What Does The Bible Say About…
The Gospel? Angels & The Dead? Prophets?
The Good News, It’s Angelic visitations If what a prophet
the message of Christ’s caused people to fall proclaims doesn’t
death and resurrection, prostrate in fear! happen, it’s not from the
His work in us by His Daniel 10:7; Isaiah 6;  Lord! Jesus fulfilled the
Grace. Rev.22:8-9 law & the prophets.
1Cor 15:1-10 Deut 18:22, Matt.5:17
Angels- dead people?
Another Gospel? We are separate False Prophets?
Don’t be confused by created beings, in There will be many false
perversions of the God’s image, a little prophets. They will be
gospel! lower than the angels! condemned.
Gal 1:6-9; 2Cor 11:3- Psalm 8:5; Dead Ezekiel 13, Matt 24:11; 
4 people don’t come to Deut 18:21-22; 2Pet 2:1-
the living! Luke 16:19- 3; 1John4:1; 1 Tim 4:1; 
Adding to The Bible? 31 2Cor 11:13-15; Jude
Jesus said not one jot
or tittle of the law Angels of Light? Satan Polygamy?
would disappear until masquerades as an Never commanded,
everything is angel of light.2 Cor  especially when it
accomplished! 11:14 involves other men’s
Matt. 5:18 wives, or marrying
Getting a gospel from  sisters. Gen 16:5; 
Removing from The  angels? If anybody or Exodus 20:17; Matt. 
Bible?  an angel of heaven 19:5; 1Tim3:12; 
Just say No! brings another gospel, Deut.17:17; Titus 1:5,6;
Revelation 22:18, 1Pet  they’re eternally
1:25 condemned. Test the Woes to leading people 
spirits Gal.1:6-8; Col  astray? God takes VERY
The Church? 2:18; 1John 4:1 seriously people who
Not a building, but lead his friends astray.
people. Jesus is the Divination? Brings Matt. 23:13-36;  Gen 
head. Gates of Hell death upon false 16:5; Exodus
will not prevail against prophets. Don’t do it.
it. Jer 14:14; Deut 18:10- ------------------------------
Eph 2:19-22, Matt.  12, 14 We were alienated, too!  
16:18,  COLOSSIANS 1:21-23

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“THE GREAT APOSTASY”
OR CHURCH GROWTH?
The Great Apostasy – The
LDS believe that this was the
removal of the authority of the
Lord’s church and the truth of
the (LDS) gospel from the face
of the earth after the death of
the Lord’s Apostles, and until
1830. During that time
apostasy was universal; the
“great and abominable church”
corrupted the Bible and
removed or lost many “plain
and precious truths”; and all
creeds became abominable to
God, and their professors
corrupt. This is especially
evidenced by the Dark Ages.

They are not taught about early

church fathers, the martyrs, the
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 WITNESSING TO
MORMONS
KNOW THEIR STORY ~ TELL YOUR STORY
SHARE HIS STORY!

• Check YOUR attitude. They are super-sensitized to mockery and

contention, and easily offended. You may have to choose to offend
anyway, because the truth is offensive, but speak the truth in LOVE.
They will probably start the conversation in either an arrogant
“teach you” position or already on the defensive because of the
persecution complex.
• Stick with Salvation issues. The information presented here is
for you to understand their context.
• REMEMBER the cost they face…
– Stages of Death – Denial/Bargaining, Grief, Anger, Acceptance/Resolve
(A 4-6 year process, 2 years w/INTENSE Bible Study.)
– Loss of family, marriages, friends, prestige, position, status in the
community.
… but let the True Relationship with Jesus Christ they face encourage you!
• DISCIPLE, don’t DEBATE – They will study. Are you ready for the
long-term?
• INVITE, INVITE, INVITE!
– Music!!!
– Youth activities!
– Bible Study
– Scrap booking, crafts
– Men’s activities

How would I have known that I was lost,

Had you not searched and found me?
How would I have known that I was blind,
Had you not made me see?
How would I have known my bleeding
‘til you bound your love around me?
How would I have groaned my slavery
until You set me free? ~ Beth Moore

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