Mormonism

[Chad]

Mormon at Your Door /Doctrinal Differences



The Bible


They Say: The Bible has been corrupted by errors of translation and transmission, as well as by deliberate action. (WMT; CJS; 1 Nephi 13:26-29, BOM)

The Church Says: The words of God and Jesus cannot wither, fade, fall or pass away; this Bible, the Word of God, cannot be corrupted. (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:23-25)
The Church

They Say: The true Church was lost and needed restoring. (WMT;WCR; CJC; FAR)

The Church Says: The true Church is unshakable, indestructible, bringing glory to Christ in all ages. (Isaiah 51:6-8; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:21; 5:38-39; Ephesians 3:20-21; Hebrews 10:23; 12:28)
The Secret Appearance

They Say: Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father appeared in secret to Joseph Smith in the woods. (CJC; FAR; JS 2:17 PGP)

The Church Says: Since His coming would be obvious to all, Jesus warned us not to believe those who claimed to see Him in secret. (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:23-27; Luke 17:23-24; 21:8; Mark 13:21-22; Rev.1:7)
The Nature of God

They Say: God, our Heavenly Father, is an exalted man of flesh and bone. (CJS; D&C 130:22)

The Church Says: God is a Spirit, able to dwell in men. (Matthew 16:17; John 4:24; 14:23; Luke 24:39)
The Nature Between the Father and the Son

They Say: Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Son are two distinct physical beings. (CJS)

The Church Says: The Father and the Son are distinct Persons, and yet are one God. (Isaiah 9:6; John 5:17-18; 14:9-11)
The Holy Spirit

They Say: The Holy Ghost is a third, distinct, spirit being; different also in function and identity from the Holy Spirit: (US)

The Church Says: The Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are two names for the same Being (the same Greek word, pneuma, is translated both ways), who is also one of the three Persons of the one God (Isaiah 6:9-10 [compare with Acts 28:25-26]; Isaiah 48:14-17; Luke 1:35; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 10:15-17)
The Nature of Christ

They Say: Jesus is the literal son of God, conceived as we were, but of an immortal Father. (WMT)

The Church Says: Jesus, Himself uncreated, created all things physical and spiritual before creating man upon the earth. (Isaiah 45:12; John 1:1-2, 10; 17:5; Hebrews 1:12; 13:8)
Jesus and Lucifer

They Say: Jesus is mankind's elder brother, firstborn spirit child of our Heavenly Father, and by inference, spirit-brother to Lucifer and his demons. (WMT; POL)

The Church Says: God does not change, and has never been anything other than He is now He specifically has never been a man. (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:21-23)
Salvation

They Say: One's personal salvation and exaltation is conditioned upon his works and obedience to the teachings of the Mormon church, with the highest exaltation going to those who are most faithful. (WMT; POL; ABW)

The Church Says: Only those who trust in Christ will gain entrance into any heaven, based on that trust. "Almost" doesn't count.1 All others will be cast into the lake of fire as a result of trusting in their own good works. (John 14:6; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:8, 21, 24; Revelation 20:4-6, 10-15; 21:18)

"They Say" references are quoted from official LDS Publications

WMTC: What the Mormons Think of Christ, pamphlet published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (henceforth called the LDS church), July 1976.

CJS: Contributions of Joseph Smith, pamphlet written by Stephen L. Richard's (an LDS official), printed by Deseret Press (an official LDS printing company), May 1973. Back side of cover.

BOM: Book of Mormon. one ofthe works considered to be scripture by the LDS church, translated by Joseph Smith Printed by the LDS church, 1977 edition. Numbering by book, chapter and verse.

WCR: Which Church is Right?, pamphlet published by the LDS church, originally in 1974; we used the April 1976 reprint.

CJC: The Church as Organized by Christ, pamphlet published by the LDS church, April 1976.

FAR: The Falling Away and Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Foretold, pamphlet published by the LDS church, November 1975.

POL: The Purpose of Life, pamphlet published by the LDS church, May 1975.

ABW: After Baptism, What?, pamphlet published by the LDS church. April, 1970.

Please don't engage Mormons in verbal battle. Pray first, be led by the Holy Spirit, then share the scriptures verse by verse.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Defend Your Faith With The Word!

All Scripture Is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy. 3:16

As Chosen To Serve Ministries
P.O. Box 4503 · Hemet, CA 92546

 

[ilovecats]

dear chad,so how do you feel,about the mormons. i really don't like them.. they do strange things.

 

[Chad]

I do not hate anyone, but I do hate false teachings and anything that is against Scripture. That's as plain as I can put it for you

We all need to pray for the lost souls. There are some who are purposely against GOD one way or another, and there are some who are lost into deceit/false teachings. They need our prayer as GOD commanded us.

 

[InnocentOdion]

Heaven

Only Mormons go to Heaven- haven't you ever seen South Park!

But seriously, I disagree with almost all of the teachings of Mormonism, such as God not being eternal, God having endless celestial boom-boom and making all of us, we become gods. etc.

However, I do agree with the teaching about the Bible being corrupted {but only because the meanings are lost from translation}- something that you get when you translate word-for-word instead of meaning-by-meaning. Think, 'Go and break a leg at the play.' - is this a threat or 'good luck and do your best!'?

• If the Bible was unshakeable and uncorrupted, why do we need so many versions for English alone?
• If the Church is so indestructable, why are there so many different churches?

 

[Chad]

You are wrong once again Odion. First of all, the Bible is not corrupted. If it were, don't call yourself a believer if you do not mind. If it were, prove it so. You can prove that it was corrupted over translation? That is naive and 100% false. So what if they are so many churches? What does that have to do with being indestructible?

Proverbs 17:27-28
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

quote:
"Think, 'Go and break a leg at the play.' - is this a threat or 'good luck and do your best!'?"

That is childish. Definitely coming from a child needing milk for sure.

 

[On the Path]

However, I do agree with the teaching about the Bible being corrupted something that you get when you translate word-for-word instead of meaning-by-meaning.

The Word of God is so strong, so powerful, that no matter what "version" or "translation" you read, the message is the same: that God loves us, that Jesus died for us, that our sins are forgiven, that He is coming back for us.

 

[johnpaul]

The Bible is the most perfectly kept written work in history. Its translations may be open to interpretation, but are perfectly accurate. I believe however that the bible is God breathed and correct.

 

[johnpaul]

Dear Chad, during a time of great personal difficulties, I fell into the hands of the mormon evangelists (called missionaries). They gave me great kindness, but as time went on they seemed to contradict all I know in my heart about Christ. The Holy Spirit warned me and I tried to leave. This act was met with spiritual threats of damnation by the mormons. It was then I realised that this church was false. God dosen't call on us to go to him by our works but by faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. I believe these to be as false and dangerous as Islam.

 

[Chad]

Dear Chad, during a time of great personal difficulties, I fell into the hands of the mormon evangelists (called missionaries). They gave me great kindness, but as time went on they seemed to contradict all I know in my heart about Christ. The Holy Spirit warned me and I tried to leave. This act was met with spiritual threats of damnation by the mormons. It was then I realised that this church was false. God dosen't call on us to go to him by our works but by faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. I believe these to be as false and dangerous as Islam.

Isn't it awesome how GOD watches over us with love and grace?. Praise the Lord! I'm glad your out of that cult brother and into the Truth of Christ

 

[trucker]

Bible translations

Innocent Odion,
Where do you get an Aramaic bible? I would love to get one. I have found in my research when you get back to the original languages, it paints a much better picture of what was going on at that time. There is a guy who is the Pastor of Mars Hill Church named Rob Bell who teaches from the Original Languages and really opens up scripture when he tells from the perspective of that time era. I think all bibles with the exception of the literal scrolls are translations. I read at least four different translations to try and get the meaning of what is being said. Most people do not realize that even the King James Bible is a translation from the literal scrolls. That should be obvious since Jesus did not speak the Kings English. I am discouraged at times when I do see the divisions around the world in the Body of Christ and it is usually over denominational rules, not over the word of God. We have the Pentecostal camp, the Baptist camp, the Lutheran camp ECT, ECT. It boils down to I am of Paul; I am of Appolis or just insert what camp we live in. God original plan was for all of us beleivers to be one In Christ. We are the body of Christ collectively and we really need to understand that all born again Christians around the world are one body. When one member hurts we all hurt, when one member rejoices, we all rejoice.

Is the word of God the truth? You bet it is. However, we need the Holy Spirit to help and reveal the true meaning of scripture and how it applies to us in our own lives. The bible has been proven over the years to be reliable and a stable influence for millions of beleivers

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Only Mormons go to Heaven- haven't you ever seen South Park!

But seriously, I disagree with almost all of the teachings of Mormonism, such as God not being eternal, God having endless celestial boom-boom and making all of us, we become gods. etc.

However, I do agree with the teaching about the Bible being corrupted {but only because the meanings are lost from translation}- something that you get when you translate word-for-word instead of meaning-by-meaning. Think, 'Go and break a leg at the play.' - is this a threat or 'good luck and do your best!'?

• If the Bible was unshakeable and uncorrupted, why do we need so many versions for English alone?
• If the Church is so indestructable, why are there so many different churches?

The Bible is published in different versions 1) to offer translations written in more modern language usages and, 2) to give voice to divergent theological views on peripheral issues. All versions are united, however, on the core beliefs of Christianity to wit: That Jesus is God in the flesh, that he came to earth as man immaculately conceived, that he was crucified and died as the propitiation for our sins, and that he rose from the dead on the third day and some time later ascended to heaven.

As to why there are different churches - Within Christianity, there are divergent beliefs on non-core stuff, but we are pretty much united on the core beliefs.

SLE

 

[BecuzHeLives]

Chad.

You are insulting once again. Your bigotism knows no bounds. If someone says something you do not like, you CAN'T just insult them like this. That is not a Christian way to behave. Shame on you.

Are you going to ban me for sticking up for myself?

First off, the Bible IS corrupted in some ways. I will call myself a believer because I believe in what Christ has offered, that he is the Son of God, he died for our Sins, the nicene creed, etc. Translating from Greek is a major mistake, as it would've been translated word for word instead of idea by idea. Before you tell me the Bible is not altered by translations, have you read the Bible in Aramaic? Do you have friends whose native languages are Aramaic and they can understand the idioms in the language? Can you?

I know there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Can you bite your tongue?

Can you prove the Bible is not mistranslated? No, you cannot. However. For someone who doesn't believe, no amount of proof will suffice, for someone who does believe, proof is not needed.

If you purchase one of the Bibles I read, then you'd be able to understand where I'm coming from.

Since there are so many different types of churches, there are feuds. Feuds breed arguments. Arguments make the church weaker. People move to and from different churches. Schisms appear. This does not make churches indestructable.

I do not speak like a child needing milk at all. I've had the milk I need. I've read dozens of Bibles. You speak like a bully, your messages are filled with sarcasm and a need to tell me 'You're wrong and I'm right'.

Yes, the Bible is the most preserved book in history, especially over its time period, however, the subtle meanings have been lost. A language like Aramaic is rich in idioms and fixed phrases.

Let's take the first bit of Genesis:

1. As the beginning, the Son of God creates the heavens and the earth.*
2. And the earth was for Him and by Him,* and the darkness was over the face of infinite space, and the Spirit of God was over the layers of the water.*
*1:1 John 1:1 "In the beginning of creation, there was the Manifestation. And that Manifestation was with God and God was the [the embodiment of] that Manifestation.
*1:2.1 John 1:2 "This was in the beginning with God."

5. And God called the Light "day"* and the Darkness "night,"* and the evening and the morning became part of one cycle, [the first eon.]*
*1:5.1 Lit. Aramaic word: "Immama."
*1:5.2 Lit. Aramaic word: "Lil'ya."
*1:5.3 Lit. Aramaic word: "Yuma," "eon," immeasurable period, age, or Day.

Hence, we already have a problem. 'Day' in Genesis is translated to mean 'a literal 24 hour day'. But the Bible in Aramaic is an immeasurable period. It's the same in Hebrew. It's missing the yodh (I think) and so it means it's not a literal day, but a 'Day'-- a time.

I'm a linguist. I know how languages work- I also know what I believe, and I know I'm a Christian who searches for a Bible which is true, where the idioms are corrected. The Bible is correct and translated properly, but because of the literal translation and not the (paraphrased?) translation, we end up with things which say different things to what they should.

John R. Robinson in Honest To God reports that the New Testament documents are 99.9% accurate (most accurate of any complete antique book). From Gotquestions.org

 

[Fellowservant]

Jesus Christ the lord of glory quoted from the old testament and the prophets, if it was good enough then... it is good enough now. God has a way of preserving the teachings of his holy apostles and prophets. Yes there are some discrepencies in scripture, even might be some ye have heard of old but i say unto thee, but it is sufficient for us and so is his grace:star:

Why do divisions happen? scripture has that answer as well...


1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ [is] God's.


God bless

 

[Dreamer]

We must remember to keep our beliefs and thoughts centered around the Word of God. Any beliefs that are tacked on or stolen, are against God. The Word says we are either for God, or against Him.

 

[Cody]

Mormons

Last night I studied with my friend's dad about Mormons. I thought I would share some of the verses we studied.

Some Mormons believe that they do not sin, but if we look at 1 John 1:8-10, we see that all has sinned but God.

1 John 1:8-10
"8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

They need to realize that God's Word is the truth and not the Book of Mormon. You can read that the word is the truth in John 17:17.

John 17:17
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

In Galatians 1:8, it says if anyone preaches another gospel, they will be cursed.

Galatians 1:8
"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."

The Bible warns us about false prophets in Deut 18:20-21. Ex: Joseph Smith

Deut 18:20-21
"20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?"

Mormons believe God changes, but Malachi 3:6 teaches us different. In Psalm 90:2 it says that God is everlasting.

Malachi 3:6
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Psalm 90:2
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

They tell us to pray about the Book of Mormon and our heart will tell us if it is the truth or not, but in Jeremiah 17:9, it tell us that the heart is deceitful. It also tells us in Proverbs 28:26, that whoever trusts his own heart is a fool. The Bible never says that the heart will reaveal the truth, but it does tell us to search the scriptures daily to find the truth in Acts 17:11.

Jeremiah 17:9
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Proverbs 28:26
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."

Acts 17:11
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."


They believe in other gods, but in Isaiah 44:6, God says that he is the first and the last.

Isaiah 44:6
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."

Mormons teach that we are saved by works rather than faith itself. It doesn't look that way in Ephesians 2:8-9 or Titus 3:5.

Ephesians 2:8-9
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

They do not believe in the Trinity, but some verses to back up the Trinity are Acts 20:28, 1 John 5:7. Then in Genesis 3:22, we ask ourself who is he talking about when he says "us".

Acts 20:28
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

1 John 5:7
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (Jesus is called the Word in John 1:14)

Genesis 3:22
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:"

We as Christians should pray for Mormons, that they will see the real truth and give up their silly beliefs and follow the real Christ.

(KJV)

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Cody if you go to the first page of this subject you will read and find out more about mormonism.

Chad has done a great job in providing information for us here and also that we need to pray for them too.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Cody]

Also when you are witnessing to them, show love. Do not disrespect them, but use love. Tell them that you are concerned about them and you will pray to God that they will see the truth. Tell them that you know it will be hard for them to break away from that religion, but remind them it is better to be loved by God rather than the world. Share how you were saved and what God has done for you in your life.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

A year or so ago, I purchased a paperback book entitled "So What's the Difference?" by Fritz Ridenour. Mr. Ridenour is an evangelical Protestant and, in this book, he compares evangelical Protestantism to Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, the Muslim faith, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and a number of other religions and several cults.

I recommend buying it. It is still in print, I think.

SLE

 

[aharris0922]

what kind of strange things are you speaking of, remember there are several different Mormons, there are some that the LDS does not affiliate with, we do not believe in the same things that they do, we believe in the law of the land, and honestly for you to say that you are a christian and say that you do not like an entire group of people if not very Christian at all .

 

[aharris0922]

I have to say for Christians you are all so judgemental

I am MORMON, and proud of it, my church does not condemn yours so why do you all condemn mine, I was coming to this site because i thought that hey we all believe in Jesus so so it would be a place to talk to people, but I dont think I want to talk to many of you. When another person with beliefs not of my own show at my door ,I graciously accept whatever they have to say or give, but let them know in advance that I am mormon. I try to be kind as Jesus would want me to be, as it is NOT MY PLACE TO JUDGE others !!!! as far as the bible being corrupted, it is quoted in revelations that it can be .... why would this be put in the Bible if it cant happen.
Revelation 22:18-9 which states:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book."


I just think I came to the wrong place. First you have to remember there are people that claim to be Mormon, but the church does not acknowledge them, My church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are LDS... there are many out there... RLDS and FLDS... we are not associated with them, they still believe in the more than one wife thing among other things that we do not.

I think I leave this site knowing that I am nothing like the rest of you that judge so harshley without even knowing what you are talking about... It is really sad.