Christian Worldview Under Fire

Page 1

Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.

Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.

1) Summary Information
a) The Mormon Church is Christian but neither Catholic or
Protestant.
b) Joseph Smith began his ministry around 1830, martyred in
1844 from his jail cell.
c) Brigham Young (as in the university) brought them to Salt
Lake.
d) Current President (16th) and prophet is Thomas Monson .
e) 10-15mil. worldwide and 6mil. in the US. 70k in NC
f) 84k Missionaries in active service on six continents. (IMB =
4800)
g) One of the wealthiest organization in the US (mid Fortune 500)
h) There is no full time paid or professional ministry at the
local/regional level.
i) Focus on education Utah leads the nation in adult education.
j) Focus on morality and the family - attempting to live sinless
lives.
i) Strong social security, low juvenile delinquency.
k) I know the Church is true. Repeated from youth to death by
the Mormon as an act of Faith.
l) Christ will not return to the earth in any year that has seen a
rainbow.
m) www.lds.com http://www.mormon.org
n) You can determine a false angel by offering to shake his hand
(you will not feel it if he is of the devil).
o) One should acknowledge all gods in the universe, but only
worship those who are associated with this planet.
p) Mormon Tabernacle Choir beautiful music at Christmas.
q) Mormons have large families for two basic reasons
i) To provide a conduit for spirit children to enter human form
at the point babies are born.
ii) To increase the size of families who could become gods of
other worlds after death.
r) Males over 12 become part of the Mormon (restored)

1) Summary Information
a) Joseph Smith had a very checkered past which included jail, the
occult, treasure hunting, fortune telling and polygamy.
b) Brigham Young Had 55 wives and was responsible for the death of
150 non-Mormon immigrants in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
c) Mormons are Polytheists, there are millions of gods. All of us can
become gods.
i) Christian doctrine has no hidden agenda or ceremonies.
d) Many of the secret temple rites and rituals can be traced directly
back to Freemasonry. Both Smith and Young were Masons.
e) Mormons who sing are not singing about our God and our Jesus.
f) For Mormons to read anything that is not supportive of their beliefs
is considered and act of faithlessness.
i) Those that are critical are dealt with severely and there are
mechanisms in place to publicly discredit them.
g) The Aaron priest hood was replaced by the Melchizedek priesthood
(Heb. 7-9) and the Melchizedek priesthood has Christ as its head
with all Biblical-Christians as priests.
h) Exodus 33:20 But, he said, you cannot see my face, for man shall
not see me and live

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
s)
t)
u)
v)
w)

priesthood of Aaron or Melchizedek, making Mormon men

priests.
Mormons view non-Mormons as Gentiles. When a Gentile
becomes Mormon his blood is actually replaced by Israelite
blood.
All righteous Mormons will actually see god in the Mormon
temple.
Polygamy (multiple wives) no longer practiced on this earth
but expected in heaven.
Mormons believe in the sign gifts (charismatic) such as
speaking/interpreting tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
and healing.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who
gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be
given to him.
i) Joseph Smith read this verse and believed God answered
him as a pillar of light descending on him saying...
(1) Do not join any Churches they are all wrong.

2) Continuing Revelation Article 9 of the LDS Statement of Faith

states that , We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does
now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and
important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
a) The Bible is not the final revelation from God for the following
five reasons :
i) Some of Jesus teachings were lost and never recorded.
(1) Mat 17:9 As they were coming down the mountain,
Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have
seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the
dead." Also found in Mark 9:9 and Luke 9:36
(2) John 20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in
the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in
this book.

i) James 1:5 presents no logic or license to travel outside the bounds of

Scripture.
i) 2 Cor 11:14a And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as
an angle of light.

2) Continuing Revelation

a) The Bible is the final revelation from God.

(1) Mat 17:9 Indicates only a temporary restraint until after the
Son of Man was raised. Obviously, the information was
shared since Matthew, Mark and Luke were not participants.
Also in John 18:20-21 Jesus clearly says that he has said
nothing in secret.
(2) John 20:30 Nowhere, including in this verse, does the Bible
give support to the notion that there are secret rituals or
hidden teachings that add to the Scriptures in a doctrinal way.
ii) There is no evidence that in the 4th century ( originally theorized

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
ii) Some of the Books of the Bible were removed by the
apostate church a few centuries after NT times.
(1) In this way Mormonism was removed from our present
translations.
(2) 2 Thes. 2:3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,
for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and
the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to
destruction.
(3) Luke 21:8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not
deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I
am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.
(4) 2 Cor. 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was
deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may
somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure
devotion to Christ.
(5) 2 Tim. 3:13 while evil men and impostors will go from
bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
iii) Some inspired books were rejected in the canonization
process.
(1) Canonization was a very flexible process conducted by a
group under the Pope of Rome in 397 AD.
iv) God continues to give new revelation through the LDS.
(1) 2 Nephi 29:6,9 Thou fool that shall say: A Bible, we
have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible...because I
have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I can
not speak another, for my work is not yet finished;
neither shall it be until the end of man.
v) The Bible is not inerrant, complete or the final word of God.
b) The Mormon leader is a prophet and divinely inspired to
provide new revelation from God.
i) He is the only one that can go beyond previous church

by Mormons when the act occurred) books were removed.

Current Mormon theory is that books were removed in 70-80
AD. This is also impossible to believe as it would be during the
leadership of the Apostles themselves!
(1) Matt. 16:18 Jesus said, I will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.
(2) 2 Thes. 2:3 refers to end time events not in the first century of
the church. All the verses refer to some or many being
deceived (not all being deceived as in an apostate church) and
most verses involve end times, not during the formation of
the Bible.
(3) Jesus clearly intended his teachings to be clearly and
accurately communicated.
(a) 2 Tim. 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the
presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who
will also be qualified to teach others.
iii) The 397 AD Third Council of Carthage was not under the control
or authority of the Pope. Secondly, they had no jurisdiction over
what was to be considered the New Testament Bible. They
merely were the first group to affirm what was already
considered the general agreement of the churches at that time
regarding what was considered divine Scriptures. The issue was
largely settled by 175-200 AD. The guiding principals used by
early Christians can be grouped as follows :
(1) Apostolic origin book needed to have its origin in the
Apostles or their close contacts.
(2) Continuous usage by the church book must have had an
unbroken record of usage.
(3) Harmony with the OT and apostolic teaching.
b) There are no longer any new revelations (doctrines) from God.
i) Heb 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the
prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
doctrine.
ii) This is no different than when Jesus came on the earth and
changed the way we worship.
(1) Hebrews 7:12 For when there is a change of the
priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
c) As times change Mormons can look to their leadership for
answers to contemporary questions that can not possibly be
included in a 2000+ year old Bible.
d) Changes over time no longer considered Mormon doctrine.
i) Blood Atonement taking of ones life as an atonement for
a persons sins.
(1) Administered by the churchs avenging angles the
Danites.
ii) Polygamy (multiple wives) originally part of Mormon
theology went from acceptable on this earth to only
practiced in the afterlife (because the practice was
preventing Utah from statehood). This was contradictory to
the Book of Mormon
(1) Jacob 1:15 wicked practices, such as like unto David
of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also
Solomon his son
iii) Adam is God the Father professed by Brigham Young
iv) Smith said all men will eventually be saved.
e) Changes over time doctrine that is now considered Mormon
that was not under Joseph Smith early work.
i) God has a physical body and once lived on another earth.
ii) Man can himself progress to godhood.
iii) Temple worship, eternal marriage and baptism of the dead.
iv) Mormons now believe there is a literal hell for a small
number who can not be redeemed sons of perdition.
3) Scriptures 4 divinely inspired books
a) Book of Mormon Another testament of Jesus Christ.
i) Joseph Smith said The most correct book on earth.

days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of

all things, and through whom he made the universe.
ii) Rev. 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will
add to him the plagues described in this book. [19] And if anyone
takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take
away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city,
which are described in this book.
iii) Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should
preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be
eternally condemned!
iv) Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great
salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,
was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
v) No further revelation is expected or necessary.
c) Hebrews 13:8, He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
d) Malachi 3:6, I, the Lord do not change.

3) Scriptures The authority of the Bible is unique and final .

a) Book of Mormon has already had 4000 changes (grammatical
corrections and doctrinal changes)

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
(1) Considered more authoritative than the Bible.
ii) 15 ancient books written from 600 BC to 400 AD by
divinely inspired ancient Americans.
iii) Found by Joseph Smith in upstate NY in the form of
reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics on gold plates around
1827.
iv) Documents the history of 600 BC Jews Jews migrated
from the Tower of Babel on rafts to the Central America,
called the Jaredites. All were killed in a civil war. Later
other Jews from Jerusalem under the prophet Lehi migrated
to North America. This group split.
(1) The last Nephite leader was named Mormon and the last
surviving Nephite was his son was Moroni.
(2) Lamanites eventually became our American Indians.
b) Doctrine and Covenants Collection of modern revelations
over a number of years of Joseph Smiths life.
c) Pearl of Great Price Adds doctrines lost from the Bible. Also
translated by Joseph Smith.
d) Bible Article 8 of the LDS Statement of Faith states, We
believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated
correctly.
i) The Bible is an open cannon. God is continuing to reveal
new doctrine to the Church (LDS) through the profits (the
current president of the LDS) and the other inspired books
listed above.

4) Evangelism Focus is door to door providing testimony and

encouragement to read the Book of Mormon .
a) Young people encouraged two years in full time missions.
i) Practice for 2yrs. provides a lifetime of evangelism training.
b) Book of Mormon Key element in conversion is to convince

i) Translated using a seer stone put in a hat (treasure hunting).

Smith would dictate to a transcriber what he saw or read from the
gold plates (which only his closest friends attested to that they
ever saw.
ii) Writings from devout Jews writing about the law, yet no other
record confirms this.
iii) Written in 428 AD the Book of Mormon contains 25k words
verbatim from the 1611 KJV which was written over 1200 yrs
later.
iv) Still contains many errors, false prophecies, and contradictions.
(1) Archeology (neither Mormon or other) have not found a
single artifact that supports the Book of Mormon.
(2) See Witnessing to Mormons The Book of Mormon does
not support Mormon theology and is full of inconsistencies
below.
v) There is no support for or independent record of Egyptian
hieroglyphics.
(1) Part of the explanation for contradictions comes from the
concept that the Mormon church believes that different rules
apply at different times in history, referred to as
dispensations.
(a) It is alleged that God uses different plans and has
different motives at each dispensation and therefore each
president presents the views of that dispensation as a
revelator.
(i) Hebrews 13:8-9a Jesus Christ is the same yesterday
and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by
diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the
heart to be strengthened by grace
4) Evangelism
a) The necessity of Mormon evangelism is a works based theology.
b) Biblical Christians believe in Grace Alone, Faith Alone in Christ
Alone.
i) Our evangelism is based on a desire to serve God and perform

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
people to read it and
i) Pray for a testimony of the true church.
(1) Burning in their bosom experience (warm feeling in
the heart) .
c) Most converts come to the Mormons on faith not from
apologetics (an attempt to determine the truth).

5) God- Elohim is an exalted man with a physical body of flesh and

bone (one of millions of gods) who progressed from man to
goodhood.
a) As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.
i) The law of Eternal Progression.
b) Worthy LDS Members may progress to godhood themselves
someday.
c) Deut 34:10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like
Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,
d) Ex 33:21-23 the Lord said I will take away my hand, and you
[Moses] will see my back; but my face will not be seen.
e) There is nothing about God that can not be understood.
f) Gods (like our God) live on planets and produce spirit children.
g) The Mormon supreme god lives near the star Kolob where he
procreates spirit children with his many wives. Kolob is also
where the sun receives its light.
i) These spirit children are then born on this earth, in embryo
form as human babies.

the Great Commission, not as a requirement for salvation, but

from a desire to serve God because of what He has done for us.
c) Constant repetition of Mormon theology through training and door to
door evangelism operates as a form of cult based, heard mentality.
d) Information is presented to the perspective convert in layers with the
best (family, high ethics, etc.) on top. Overtly unbiblical issues are
not covered until much later.
i) There is a tremendous amount of redefinition and double speak
to fit Christianity into a Mormon box in order to win a convert.
Some of this is probably done unintentionally as missionaries
have been trained to reinterpret words like Born Again, Trinity,
Salvation, etc. into their own world view. However, at other
times direct deception can be seen under the banner of
Whatever it takes to win them. Or the ends justify the
means.
5) God- there is only one Triune God.
a) God is not a physical man. These are literary devices used to
demonstrate His personality (ex. John 10:9 Jesus as a door.)
b) Romans 1:22,23,25 Although they claimed to be wise, they became
fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made
to look like mortal man They exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
c) Isaiah 44:6 This is what the Lord saysIsraels King and Redeemer,
the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me
there is not God.
d) Isaiah 44:8 Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock;
I know not one.
e) John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing
was made that has been made.

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
6) Jesus Referred to as Jehovah, was the first-born spirit child (for
this world), from the Heavenly Father, and is our elder brother.
a) Was one of the spirit children that received a body, born of a
mortal mother (Mary) and immortal father god through sexual
relations (no virgin birth by way of the Holy Spirit).
b) Lucifer was the second born and the brother of Jesus who got
mad that Jesus was to rule the earth.
c) Christ, as a polygamist, married Mary & Martha and Mary
Magdalene and had children with them all.
d) Jesus is the only sinless man that has ever walked the earth.
i) As such he saved us from Adams sin and provided the way
for a general resurrection of everyone.
e) Came to the Americas after his resurrection and preached to the
inhabitants.

6) Jesus was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit

a) Even the Book of Mormon (Alma 7:10) states, And behold, the
[Jesus] shall be born of Maryshe being a virgin who shall be
overshadowed and conceive by the Holy Ghost.
b) Mat 1:18 And this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His
mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they
came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy
Spirit.
c) There is no archeological or anthropological (other than LDS) record
of Jesus in the Americas.

7) Holy Ghost Is a spirit god

a) Otherwise he could not dwell in us.
b) He is more like a fluid that is dispensed in varying degrees to
individuals.

7) Holy Spirit is not a force or fluid

a) The Mormon believes the Holy Spirit is one of three gods yet does
not explain how he can be a spirit where all other gods are of flesh
and bone.
a) The Holy Spirit is not just a spirit force. He is treated in the scripture
as a person with intellect, emotions and will. He speaks to the issues
of sin, of righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), He teaches (John
14:26), He regenerates (John 3:6), He baptizes (1 Corr. 12:13) and
He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30).

8) Trinity there are three separate gods, just as there are millions of
gods.
a) The Mormon godhead represents three distinct supernatural
persons, focused on the same purpose, but not contained in the
same being.

8) Trinity Three personalities in one God

a) Defended from the Book of Mormon as follows :
i) Alma 11:29 Is there more than one God? No
ii) Mosiah 15:4 they are one God
iii) Alma 11:44 Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy
Spirit, which is one Eternal God.
iv) Mormon 7:7 unto the Father and unto the Son, and unto the
Holy Ghost, which are one God.
v) II Nephi 31:21 the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.

Christian Worldview Under Fire

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
vi) Testimony of Three Witnesses (front of book) And the honor be
to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, which is one
God, Amen.
vii) 2 Nephi 3:21And now behold the doctrine of the Father, and the
Son and the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end Amen.
b) Defended from the Bible in may places including:
i) Mat. 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit,
ii) 2 Cor 13:14 may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
9) Man Eternal spiritual beings of Heavenly Father(s) and Mother(s)
a) Were first born and raised to maturity as spirits
b) Mans time on earth is a time of testing to see if he is worthy
enough to become a god at death.
i) Man dies only once and is resurrected.
c) Mans fall in the Garden of Eden was a good thing because it
allowed for new life and birth of spirit children as babies are
born.
d) Took on temporal (physical) bodies upon coming to the earth
e) By the Saviors atonement for original sin, man is born
inherently neither good nor bad. We become evil or good based
on the free will choices we make.
f) Man has the potential of becoming a god on another planet.
i) This god of my own planet theology is currently being
downplayed.

9) Man Made by God in his image; not a god.

a) The concept of Man as a god can not be found in the Book of
Mormon much less in the Bible.

10) Sin Man has chosen to sin against God.

a) The fall of Adam (part of Gods plan) was necessary for
mankind to advance through the knowledge of good & evil and
the ability to procreate (have children).
b) We have no original sin from Adam. (because of Jesus Christs
atonement for all men at the cross).
c) Each person is responsible for his own sin.

10) Sin We are all sinners in need of a savior, Jesus Christ.

a) James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at
just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
b) Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
c) Luke 13:5 I tell you, no!. But unless you repent you too will all
perish.
d) Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and

b) Mormons do not believe in reincarnation.

c) Mans fall in the garden was a bad thing.
i) Genesis 3:17-19 Because you have listened to the voice of your
wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You
shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain
you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it
shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to
the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to
dust you shall return.

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
11) Salvation
a) Salvation is works based.
b) Jesus provided the possibility of atonement and immortality for
everyone. (First born and only sinless man that ever lived on
earth.)
i) The resurrection of man is by grace alone. However, where
man ends up after the resurrection is based on his works (or
the works of others such as the baptism for the dead).
c) Godhood and Celestial Heaven is available only to Mormons
who obey LDS teachings and are granted permission to enter by
Joseph Smith himself.
i) Faith in what Christ commands (not in Christ as our
atoning sacrifice)
ii) Repentance Confession and abandoning sin as well as
doing works (evangelism) to repay for continuing sin.
iii) Baptism Immersion in a Mormon church only.
iv) Laying on of Hands by a Melchizedek Priest to receive
the Holy Ghost.
v) Ordination as a Melchizedek Priest (males only)
completing step 4 you become a priest yourself.
vi) Temple Endowments Ceremony rites performed only in a
temple (example Baptism for the dead)
(1) Through these the individual gains power from on high.
vii) Celestial marriage Performed on earth, they will last for
eternity. One man can temple marry many women, having
them as eternal wives in the afterlife.
(1) Requirement in order to procreate children in the
afterlife for their world.
viii) Observing the Word of Wisdom abstinence from
alcohol and caffeine drinks.
ix) Sustain the Prophet Support and have faith in the
inerrancy of the President of the LDS.

11) Salvation
a) Salvation is based on Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone.
i) Just because a Mormon says the resurrection of man is by grace
alone does not mean he believes that Gods grace alone saves
us. He is twisting words and really means that Gods grace, in
providing Jesus, allowed for Adams sin to be removed from us
so that we could be resurrected. However, where we go after the
resurrection is based on works. This is not true.
b) Salvation is available to everyone, regardless of church affiliation. It
is available for those who have a personal relatiohshp with Jesus and
accept him as Lord and Savior.
i) Titus 3:5a he saved us, not because of righteous thing we had
done, but because of his mercy.
ii) Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith
and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God--not by works,
so that no one can boast
iii) Gal 2:16a know that a man is not justified by observing the law,
but by faith in Jesus Christ.
iv) Rom 3:10 there is no one righteous, not even one;
c) Our eternal destiny is fixed at death. Baptism for the dead has no
effect on salvation.
(1) Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment,
(2) Lazarus and the Rich Man Luke 16:26 And besides all
this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that
those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can
anyone cross over from there to us.'

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.

Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
x) Tithing An honest 10% is required for salvation.
xi) Sacrament Meetings Weekly Sunday gathering.
xii) Obedience - To the church, its teachings and its leadership.
d) Salvation can be accomplished for non-Mormons after death.
i) Baptism (by immersion) by a living Mormon on behalf of
the dead, in the temple.
(1) Probably the most frequent use of the temple.
(2) The basis for an emphasis on genealogies.
(a) When a covenant is made in the temple, it seals
generations together for eternity.
(3) 1 Peter 4:6 For this is the reason the gospel was
preached even to those who are now dead, so that they
might be judged according to men in regard to the body,
but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
(4) 1 Cor. 15:29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will
those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are
not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
(5) 1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ died for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by the
Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the
spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God
waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was
being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were
saved through water,
(a) People who are not good Mormons or non-Mormons
can be in Spirit Prison, a type of Purgatory or
temporary hell.
(i) Salvation through water Baptisms can be
conducted for the dead.
12) After Physical Death - Mormons have no assurance during their

(3) 1 Peter 4:6 This can be a reference to salvation for those who
were saved before their death. It could also mean salvation
for those who were spiritually dead. In no way should it be
interpreted as evidence for salvation of the dead.
(4) 1 Cor. 15:29 This is a challenging verse that has been given
many interpretations. The focus was a confirmation of the
doctrine of the resurrection and that the Bible clearly teaches
that opportunities for salvation end at death.
(5) 1 Peter 3:18-20 This is probably a reference to Jesus
proclaiming (preaching) his victory over death for believers
to the fallen angles. Again, further detail is presented in the
notebook under Salvation for the Dead.

12) After Physical Death - Biblical Christians have an assurance that we

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Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Mormons What they believe.
Mormons Why what they believe is wrong.
lifetime of where they will end up after death.
a) Heaven a place of joy three separate heavenly kingdoms
i) Celestial Kingdom the glory of the sun Has three levels
based on Mormon service while on earth and in the
hereafter. At the highest level, established by celestial
marriages in the temple, Mormons will live eternally on
their own planet as gods with joy, all power, glory and
knowledge.
(1) Have their family with them and procreate spirit
children for other worlds or this world.
ii) Terrestrial Kingdom the glory of the moon NonMormon (who were good people) and Mormons (who did
not comply with church doctrine) will live on this earth in a
lesser paradise.
iii) Telestial Kingdom the glory of the stars Non-Mormons
who were wicked will be punished for their sins for a time
(in Hell) and then placed on this earth in an even lesser
paradise.
b) Hell for the great majority of people, a place of temporary
torment, also referred to as Spirit Prison.
i) Smith believed that all mankind would eventually leave
Hell.
ii) Current church doctrine states that a few unredeemed
( sons of perdition) may remain in Hell permenantly
called outer darkness along with Satan and his demons.

will spend eternity in Heaven. Ultimately, there are only two places a
person can go:
a) Heaven Mat. 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right,
Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the
kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

b) Hell Mat. 25:41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart
from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the
devil and his angles.

Witnessing to the Mormon

Always witness from a position of love, not a theological debate. Mormons are well practiced in twisting their doctrine to fit Biblical-Christian terms. Be
prepared to carefully define terms. Focus on the major Christian points of Salvation, one God, a literal everlasting Hell discussed above and the major
weaknesses of the Book of Mormon discussed below. Finally, remember that the God of the universe is on your side.
1) Joseph Smith as a prophet.
a) Mormons will be unable to give you a list of his prophesies. Of the 65-70 prophesies only 5-6 came to pass and they were obvious at the time.

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Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
2) The Book of Mormon does not support Mormon theology and is full of inconsistencies.
a) God being a man of flesh and bone is not found in the Book of Mormon.
i) The Bible does however use anthropomorphic language (attributing characteristics of man to God) to help us understand God. This is in no way
to be interpreted as physical attributes of a spiritual God. If this were true then verses such as Psalm 91:4a (He [God] will cover you with his
feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge..) would be ridiculous. Mat. 3:16 would suggest that the Holy Spirit is a dove. Even the Book
of Mormon states in Moroni 8:18, For I know that God is neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all
eternity.
(1) God can not change from spirit child to man to God.
ii) The image of God in man is not physical but spiritual (Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness. John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.)
b) There is no archeological evidence to support the cultures discussed in the Book of Mormon
i) No support either within or outside the Mormons that can provide any proof for the existence of the Jaredites, Nephites or the Lamanites.
Brigam Young spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in research at BYU and was not able to document a single supporting architectural find.
ii) What if the same was true about the Bible (Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Egypt, Babylon, Israel, etc.)
c) The Book of Mormon is full of inconsistencies even after having over 4,000 changes from its original writing.
i) 1 Nephi 4:9 Laban wielded a sword made of the most precious steel before 592 BC
ii) 1 Nephi 18:12 Nephi sailed across the ocean by the use of a compass in 600 BC that was not invented until 1000 AD.
iii) Jacob 7:27 ends with the word adieu in 421AD yet the earliest French was derived from Latin in 700 AD.
iv) Alma 7:9,10 states that Jesus birthplace was Jerusalem rather than Bethlehem.
(1) Mormons try to justify this by saying that Jerusalem was once a state which included Bethlehem but there is no evidence to support this.
3) Changes over time. See section 2d and 2e for a brief overview of some of the major doctrine changes that have taken place within the Mormons.
4) Should we, as Biblical Christians pray or not pray to make the Book of Mormon be reveled to us (as Mormons ask us to do) DO NOT PRAY
a) Mormons do not come to their faith through apologetics (systematic defense of their theology). They come through a Faith experience, usually by
reading the Book of Mormon and having a feeling of warmth in their heart that confirms it is true (burning in the bosom). The source of this
approach comes from James 1:5 (If you lack any wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and unbraideth not, and it shall be
given him. )
i) This text is not directed in support for praying on the truthfulness of a book but the context is testing, trials and temptations.
ii) If Satan wrote the Book of Mormon, praying that it be made real is dangerous.
b) Instead focus on Acts 17:11-12 (Now the Bereans were of more noble character that the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great
eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.)

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Biblically based comparison of religious beliefs.
Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
i) Study is the method of confirming the accuracy of a book such as the Book of Mormons. Through study of its inconsistencies and
contradictions it is obvious the Book of Mormon is not divinely inspired. It remains a clearly flawed book written by man.

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