I
hesitated in writing this because of the condemnation I expect to receive. I am not intending to in any way put down the
Mormon followers as individuals. I
believe, from all I have seen, they try to be a moral people, earnest in their
beliefs and wish to do well in their undertakings. The only problem I have with Mormonism is
that they claim to be Christian, and therefore mislead people who do not study
the truth about their religion. Those
who have come out of the Mormon Church have quite a different view than that
which the Mormon web site represents. The only real danger I see in Mormonism
is that people could be lead away from true salvation in Jesus, the Christ. A
recent survey showed that 51% of Americans think that Mormonism is a Christian
religion, while 32% think it is not. Among Evangelical Protestants 47% say
Mormonism is a Christian religion and 39% say it is not.
It is my belief this is due to the deliberate misrepresentations presented on
their web sites to sound more like Biblical Christianity and attract more
converts. The Bible says that some will
come that could fool even the elect.
The
following is copied form the Mormon web site http://mormon.org/faq/mormon-church/?CID=50062. What is on the web site is in black, and my
insertions and or additions are in red and underlined. I did not correct the
spelling and grammar mistakes on their web site
Below
the web site information, I have included information given by people who were
Mormons, and have converted to Christianity, as well as quotes by famous
Mormons.
Why do some call Mormonism a cult?
One definition listed for ‘cult’ in Webster’s
Dictionary is “a religion regarded as unorthodox (or spurious).” Since the roots of
Mormonism are not a break off from the Catholic or Protestant churches, it is
seen by some as “unorthodox.”
For example, the LDS definition of the
Godhead differs from the Nicene Creed accepted by most Catholic or Protestant
churches. The “cult” label is usually applied by Church opponents attempting to
criticize or discredit the Church (or warn people
about the apostasy). However, sometimes it’s simply a matter of
characterization that has grown up over time by the lack of understanding. Such
misunderstandings often vanish when people begin to realize the commonality of
what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really teaches and
believes. That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He is the Savior
and Redeemer of the world whom we love and worship. ( In reality Mormons
believe that Jesus was a god just like you and I are gods.) When people begin to see and recognize these things
about Mormons, then their opinion of the Church usually changes, and old
beliefs are replaced with new understanding.
Read other answers contributed by members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are the sole
responsibility of the members.
Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a "traditional"
Christian church. The primary complaint of the "traditionalists"
(generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not believe in the doctrine of
the trinity as it relates to the nature of the Godhead. The doctrine of the
trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, many years after the death
of Christ (Christ did not remain dead: if Jesus had
not risen from the dead, there would be no Christianity) and the Apostles. It basically says that the Godhead,
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in "substance." (In reality the Bible clearly expresses the triune aspects of the
One True and Living God.) Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine,
they say we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a
cult. It is curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught
anywhere in the Bible. (“Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost”,
among other references).
Mormons believe the Bible (among other ‘scriptures’)
is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church established by Jesus (in conjunction with the Father and the Holy Spirit)
and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists of The Father, Son
and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three distinct individuals as
expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned. "He being filled
with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus standing on
the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are one in purpose, not in
substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory prayer, particularly
verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe. (
Jesus said that He and the Father are one.)
It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the
Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and
Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day. ( They could then have been referred to as a
sect of Judaism, and in fact are today)
Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a
"traditional" Christian church. The primary complaint of the
"traditionalists" (generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not
believe in the doctrine of the trinity as it relates to the nature of the
Godhead. The doctrine of the trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325
AD, many years after the death of Christ and the Apostles. It basically says
that the Godhead, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in
"substance." Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine, they say
we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a cult. It is
curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught anywhere in
the Bible.
Mormons believe the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church
established by Jesus and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists
of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three
distinct individuals as expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned.
"He being filled with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and
saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are
one in purpose, not in substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory
prayer, particularly verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe.
It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the
Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and
Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day.
Show
I just saw news footage where a minister called the Mormon Church a
‘cult’ and the news commentator turned around and said it wasn’t. The news
commentator was right. One definition listed for ‘cult’ in Webster’s Dictionary
is “a religion regarded as unorthodox.” ‘Unorthodox’ according to whom?
Catholicism and over 2000 churches who broke off of the Catholic Church or the
original teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ? We believe some of the
original doctrines contained in the original Church of Jesus Christ
fell into apostasy and were changed by men (this in
fact is what the Moslems say). One example is the definition of the
Godhead as laid out in the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds that are widely accepted
by most Catholic and Protestant churches today. We believe the Godhead is made
up of three separate and distinct individuals that are one in purpose not in
body. When I read about the atonement in Matthew 26:39 (KJV), “And he went a
little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou
wilt” I believe God the Father, Jesus Christ, Peter and the other Apostles
would find the teaching that ‘Jesus Christ was praying to himself’ as quite
‘unorthodox’. (God swore by Himself as there was none higher).
I choose to follow the teachings of
Jesus Christ, not the teachings of men…regardless of the names they choose to
call us. (Obviously, Mormons would say that water,
steam and ice are the same in purpose but not the same substance. We live in a three-dimensional world. All physical objects have a
certain height, width, and depth).
I just saw news footage where a minister called the
Mormon Church a ‘cult’ and the news commentator turned around and said it
wasn’t. The news commentator was right. One definition listed for ‘cult’ in
Webster’s Dictionary is “a religion regarded as unorthodox.” ‘Unorthodox’
according to whom? Catholicism and over 2000 churches who broke off of the
Catholic Church or the original teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ? We
believe some of the original doctrines contained in the original Church of
Jesus Christ fell into apostasy and were changed by men. One example is the
definition of the Godhead as laid out in the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds that
are widely accepted by most Catholic and Protestant churches today. We believe
the Godhead is made up of three separate and distinct individuals that are one
in purpose not in body. When I read about the atonement in Matthew 26:39 (KJV),
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt” I believe God the Father, Jesus Christ, Peter and the
other Apostles would find the teaching that ‘Jesus Christ was praying to
himself’ as quite ‘unorthodox’. I choose to follow the teachings of Jesus
Christ, not the teachings of men…regardless of the names they choose to call
us.
I think some call Mormonism a cult mainly because they don't understand
what it's about. Before I was a Mormon, I used to believe that Mormons did not
believe in the Bible (They do say they believe in
the Bible; as well as the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, The book of Doctrines and Covenants, and the temple
preparation manuals; all as scripture or equivelant to scripture) in
Jesus Christ and a good deal of other things. I didn't realize how incorrect I
was. There have been some pretty amazing things that have happened in
conjunction with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and if you
don't get the whole picture, then some of the stuff can sound pretty odd, and ,
and I think that's where I was before.
An example I sometimes use is: if someone told you that he had cut a man with a
knife, from that limited piece of information, you'd probably report him for
stabbing someone. But if you found out that this someone was a Doctor, and that
he was preforming a surgery to save a man's life, having the full story
completely changes your perspective on the situation.
In regards to the church I belong to, once I did have the whole story, I could
see that Mormons were not cultish, but that they really are in fact Christians.
I've even found that I have a stronger love of the the core things I believed
before I was a Mormon, like the Bible and Jesus Christ (Mormons do not believe that Jesus was the only son of God,
and that the Bible is subject to not being correct). I think some call Mormonism a cult mainly
because they don't understand what it's about. Before I was a Mormon, I used to
believe that Mormons did not believe in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and a good
deal of other things. I didn't realize how incorrect I was. There have been
some pretty amazing things that have happened in conjunction with The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and if you don't get the whole picture, then
some of the stuff can sound pretty odd, and I think that's where I was before.
An example I sometimes use is: if someone told you that he had cut a man with a
knife, from that limited piece of information, you'd probably report him for
stabbing someone. But if you found out that this someone was a Doctor, and that
he was preforming a surgery to save a man's life, having the full story
completely changes your perspective on the situation.
In regards to the church I belong to, once I did have the whole story, I could
see that Mormons were not cultish, but that they really are in fact Christians.
I've even found that I have a stronger love of the the core things I believed
before I was a Mormon, like the Bible and Jesus Christ.
Show less
I grew up thinking, at one point, Mormonism was cult. I made this
assertion based on nothing but hearsay, and didn't actually know any tenets of
the LDS faith. Now, as a person who has thoroughly investigated the sincerity
and divine truthfulness of this Church, I can resoundingly say that the Church
of Jesus Christ is by no means a cult. I find that the major reason why people
think Mormonism is a cult is simply due to a lack of understanding of the Church.
For instance, not many people really know that Mormons believe in and strive to
be closer to Jesus Christ we believe Him to be our personal savior and redeemer
of the world. We read the Bible and know it to be the word of God. We take
communion. We have an unpaid clergy. We live to serve others as Christ would
have done. (Although,
by their deception, they actually keep people from knowing the true Christ of
the Bible.)I grew up
thinking, at one point, Mormonism was cult. I made this assertion based on
nothing but hearsay, and didn't actually know any tenets of the LDS faith. Now,
as a person who has thoroughly investigated the sincerity and divine
truthfulness of this Church, I can resoundingly say that the Church of Jesus
Christ is by no means a cult. I find that the major reason why people think
Mormonism is a cult is simply due to a lack of understanding of the Church. For
instance, not many people really know that Mormons believe in and strive to be
closer to Jesus Christ we believe Him to be our personal savior and redeemer of
the world. We read the Bible and know it to be the word of God. We take
communion. We have an unpaid clergy. We live to serve others as Christ would
have done.
When people take the time to understand what Mormonism is really all about,
like I did, they will understand that Mormons are normal people with normal
problems, and each of us relies on God to be a better, more Christlike person.
Show less
Michael
answered…
Because we believe in continuing revelation (all
revelation must be in line with and verified by the Bible – all [Biblical]
scripture is given for instruction, correction and reproof)
through Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is
uncomfortable for some people because media has made our Prophets seem like
evil men leading people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct
principles so that one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven (or live as a father in heaven). Another reason is
because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning only worthy members
may enter the Temple
so people think that evil rituals are performed. However, in reality the nature
of the temple is uplifting and beautiful and gives us clarity to what the
purpose of life is, the plan of salvation, and other topics such as life,
death, and the atonement of Christ. The temple is not "secret, but it is
sacred. However, we encourage all to live so that they may one day enter the
temple. (The
temples (churches) in the Bible were open to all believers)
Because we believe in continuing revelation through
Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is uncomfortable for
some people because media has made our Prophets seem like evil men leading
people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct principles so that
one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven.
Another reason is because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning
only worthy members may enter the Temple so people think that evil rituals are
performed. However, in reality the nature of the temple is uplifting and
beautiful and gives us clarity to what the purpose of life is, the plan of
salvation, and other topics such as life, death, and the atonement of Christ.
The temple is not "secret, but it is sacred. However, we encourage all to
live so that they may one day enter the temple.
http//www.mormon.org/videos/
Sh
Stephen
answered....
… SIn my opinion the
real reason people say the Mormon Church is a cult because they don't
understand. saying that it is a cult is an easy way to excuse themselves from
learn more about it. Its like saying "sushi is slimy raw dead fish"
or "computers are of the devil" its easy not to try / learn about
stuff if you pair it with a negative word like "devil" or " slimy
raw dead fish" ( In a way he is right.
If you don’t know what Biblical Christianity is, you won’t know the
difference between Mormonism and Christianity.)
I don't know. Quite honestly when labels are used I think this comes
from someone's desire to quickly explain away something that they don't
understand. If they really took a hard look at the church it would be easy to
tell that Mormons do not blindly follow any human being. I think maybe someone
who might use that label could look at the level of commitment and obedience
found among the members of this church and casually explain this away as blind
obedience. They certainly do not see the personal struggles and the effort that
maintaining a personal relationship with God requires. (In
truth it is by Faith, not works so that no man could boast).
Like most Mormons I think, I
do what I do out of devotion and love. It may start out as duty and habit, but
as I have come to know God and His mercy and love (the big picture) I can't
help but want to keep the commandments. I don't follow a person, I follow God
and His Son and they help me every step of the way
I don't know. Quite honestly when labels are used I
think this comes from someone's desire to quickly explain away something that
they don't understand. If they really took a hard look at the church it would
be easy to tell that Mormons do not blindly follow any human being. I think
maybe someone who might use that label could look at the level of commitment
and obedience found among the members of this church and casually explain this
away as blind obedience. They certainly do not see the personal struggles and
the effort that maintaining a personal relationship with God requires. Like
most Mormons I think, I do what I do out of devotion and love. It may start out
as duty and habit, but as I have come to know God and His mercy and love (the
big picture) I can't help but want to keep the commandments. I don't follow a
person, I follow God and His Son and they help me every step of the way.
Sh
I
suppose that new and different things have always been a challenge for some. It
seems possible that the New Testament Christians might also have been called a
cult: they were few in number, taught new, or at least different, doctrines and
were lead by strong, charismatic leaders (a study of the early apostles like
Peter or Paul bears this out).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Mormon
church) follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Bible and the
Book of Mormon (which is an addition to the inspred
word of God). We do not worship our founding prophet (Joseph Smith)
or our current prophet (Thomas S. Monson). We teach that men are saved by the
grace of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrice on the cross and that as we
strive to follow Him and keep His commandments, that redemption becomes
personal.
If others persist in defining the Church
* (of Mormon)
as a cult, in spite of our rather obvious Christian beliefs and doctrines (having a semblance of the truth, but not the power thereof),
then we will simply have to agree to disagree.
I suppose that new and different things have always
been a challenge for some. It seems possible that the New Testament Christians
might also have been called a cult: they were few in number, taught new, or at
least different, doctrines and were lead by strong, charismatic leaders (a
study of the early apostles like Peter or Paul bears this out).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Mormon
church) follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Bible and the
Book of Mormon. We do not worship our founding prophet (Joseph Smith) or our
current prophet (Thomas S. Monson). We teach that men are saved by the grace of
Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrice on the cross and that as we strive to
follow Him and keep His commandments, that redemption becomes personal.
If others persist in defining the Church as a cult, in spite of our rather
obvious Christian beliefs and doctrines, then we will simply have to agree to
disagree.
Mostly because of misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about the
Church. It's easier for people to believe what they hear from other people (who
heard it from someone else, who heard it from another person that read it on
the Internet...) instead of making an effort to find out from the source. In
addition, there are small, secretive groups that are not part of our Church
that use a modified form of the name of the Church for their own group, and have
practices that are similar to our worship services and practices (which one is the true Church of Mormon?). These
groups may be involved in illegal activities, especially polygamy (The Mormon Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, believes you must have one or more wives in order to populate the world
you will be god of, when and if you qualify for that to happen), and
when the media reports on them, they do not make an effort to distinguish
between these groups and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mostly because of misunderstanding and lack of
knowledge about the Church. It's easier for people to believe what they hear
from other people (who heard it from someone else, who heard it from another
person that read it on the Internet...) instead of making an effort to find out
from the source.
In addition, there are small, secretive groups that are not part of our Church
that use a modified form of the name of the Church for their own group, and
have practices that are similar to our worship services and practices. These
groups may be involved in illegal activities, especially polygamy, and when the
media reports on them, they do not make an effort to distinguish between these
groups and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
S
It's funny, I used to call the Mormon Church a cult too. I just didn't
understand it.Mormonism isn't weird or strange. Its members don't perform
satanic rituals or brainwash teenage boys into walking around from door to door
in suits and name tags (nor is anyone forced to -- everyone who chooses to
serve a mission does so out of their own free will and choice).I used to call
Mormonism a cult because it seemed foreign and unfamiliar, which I deemed scary.
The same thing happened to Jesus' first followers as well: they were accused of
cult worship too! Others who understood little of what Mormons truly believe
told me lies about so-called "practices" in the church which, in
reality, were just made-up stories and falsehoods intended to give the church a
bad name.
When it comes down to it, a lot of people just don't understand this church,
and lies about it spread like wildfire. Mormons believe that Jesus is the
Christ. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world, plain and simple.
Is that so weird or cultish?
Today, there are close to fourteen million members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide, and more live outside of the United States
than inside. That doesn't seem very cult-like to me! (There are well over a billion Christians living all over the world. Do
numbers and place of residence really mean anything? The early Christian church started with just
a little over 500 followers.
Why do Mormons perform baptisms for the dead
Jesus Himself, though without sin, was
baptized to fulfill all righteousness and to show the way for all mankind (see Matthew
3:13-17 13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan
unto John, to be baptized of him. 14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to
be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh
us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.;
2 Nephi
31:5-12 Esentially says that you must be
baptized in order to ‘fulfill all righteousness’, which the Bible says was only
possible for Jesus to do. ).
Thus, baptism is essential for salvation in the kingdom of God.
Baptism is a sign of your rebirth and acceptance of
Jesus as your Lord, not an additional essential ingredient required for
salvation. Salvation is by faith and
faith alone; not by works. We learn in the New Testament that
baptisms for the dead were done during the Apostle Paul’s time (see 1
Corinthians 15:29 In this verse,Paul was not
condoning the baptism of the dead but rather arguing that the resurrection of the
dead is a reality. “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”).
This practice has been restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Prophet Joseph Smith first taught about the
ordinance of baptism for the dead during a funeral sermon in August 1840. He
read much of 1 Corinthians 15, including verse 29, and announced that the Lord
would permit Church members to be baptized in behalf of their friends and
relatives who had departed this life. He told them “the plan of salvation was
calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of
God” (Journal History of the Church, 15 Aug. 1840).
Because all who have lived on the earth have
not had the opportunity to be baptized by proper authority (what authority?) during life on earth, baptisms
may be performed by proxy, meaning a living person may be baptized in behalf of
a deceased person. Baptisms for the dead are performed by Church members in
temples throughout the world. People have occasionally wondered if the mortal
remains of the deceased are somehow disturbed in this process; they are not.
The person acting as a proxy uses only the name of the deceased. To prevent
duplication the Church keeps a record of the deceased persons who have been
baptized. Some have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed
the names of deceased persons are being added to the membership records of the
Church. This is not the case.
What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God?
Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. His
birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the many prophecies contained in
the scriptures concerning the coming of a (The)
Savior. He was (is) the Creator, He is
our Savior, and He will be our Judge (see Isaiah 9:6, 53:3-7; Psalms
22:16-18).
Under the direction of our Heavenly Father,
Jesus Christ created the earth (John 1:10;
Hebrews 1:2).
God, the trinity, created the heavens and the earth.
When Jesus lived on the earth (approximately
2,000 years ago), He led a perfect life. He taught by word and example how
people should live in love of God and others.
Through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane (Jesus
didn’t suffer physically in the garden; it was a spiritual suffering. He suffered physically at the hands of the
Jewush authorities and the Romans.)and by giving His life on the
cross—that is, by performing the Atonement —Jesus Christ saves us from our sins
(1 Peter 2:21)
as we follow Him. Because of the Atonement, you can be forgiven of your sins
when you sincerely repent (Book of Mormon, Mosiah
26:30). There is only one way to be forgiven of
your sins. By accepting, by faith, the Grace of Jesus as your Lord and Savior,
you are saved. You are saved by Grace, not by works.
Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ saved
us from death. Because He overcame death, we will all (who according to John 3:16 and Romans 10:9 accept the gift
of Christ) be given the gift of resurrection, that is to say our
spirits will be eternally (be given new, heavenly
bodies) re-united with our bodies (Acts 24:15;
1
Corinthians 15:22). When life on this earth is over, Jesus Christ will be
the final Judge (Acts 17:31; John
5:21-22; Acts 10:42).
Are Mormons Christians?
Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1995-2008), said:
“We are Christians in a very real sense and
that is coming to be more and more widely recognized. Once upon a time people
everywhere said we are not Christians. (“The
traditional Christ of whom they (Christians) speak is not the Christ of whom I
speak” Gordon B. Hinckley.) They
have come to recognize that we are, and that we have a very vital and dynamic
religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. We, of course, accept Jesus
Christ as our Leader, our King, our Savior...the dominant figure in the history
of the world, the only perfect Man who ever walked the earth, the living Son of
the living God. He is our Savior and our Redeemer through whose atoning
sacrifice has come the opportunity of eternal life. Members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pray and worship in the name of Jesus Christ.
He is the center of our faith and the head of our Church. The Book of Mormon is
Another Testament of Jesus Christ and witnesses of His divinity, His life, and
His Atonement.”
I get, as I suppose I should,
very up set with Satan when he convinces people, like the Mormons, that God
would be satisfied with just enough but not quite what He wants. I think that I have given enough here to
remind people of the “Doctrines of Devils”
no matter how well intentioned or disguised they are. The God of the Bible will deal with the
“deceivers” as
He promised.
Read answers by Christians who have come out of the
Mormon Church.
James Walker, former 4th generation Mormon, President
of Watchman Fellowship; WWW.Watchman.org.
1. Mormons believe the God
was a man before He was God. The belief
of Celestial Exaltation says that a man and his wife or wives can earn their
way to become god and goddess over their own earth. This is called the Law of
Eternal Progression.
2. You have to establish you
have paid your full tithe of 10% of your gross income before you are allowed
into the temple. The drinking of coffee
or tea will disqualify you from entrance the temple.
3. Mormons believe that true
Christianity disappeared after the death of the apostles and had to be restored
by Joseph Smith.
4. Mormons believe in baptism
by proxy for the dead.
5. Joseph
Smith said the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are not the same person.
6.
Jesus was married to three women (Martha, Mary and Mary Magdalene), according
to some early Mormon apostles.
7. Mormons believe we are all
children of our heavenly father and heavenly mother. Humans are God in embryo.
Sandra Tanner, Great, great, granddaughter of Brigham Young who was
the Second prophet of the Mormon Church
1. The Jesus of the Mormons
is just one of a whole string of gods.
2. Mormons believe that
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three totally distinct and separate entities.
3. Eternal life in the Mormon
Church means godhood.
4. Mormons cannot drink
coffee, tea or alcohol.
5. According to Mormonism,
Jesus had to attain godhood, the same as his father did, and the same as we
can.
6. ‘Individual Salvation’ in
Mormonism is: Christ’s death and resurrection, plus your own righteous acts.
Dr. Lynn Wilder, Former associate professor at Brigham Young
University.
1. There are many
contradictions between the Bible and the Mormon scriptures.
2. Mormons believe God the
Father had a wife.
3. Mormons believe that the Book
of Mormon is the most correct book on earth and that the Bible is subject to
not being correct. The Book of Mormon would be put above the Bible.
4. There are three other
Mormon scriptures as well. The book of
Doctrines and Covenants is where most Mormon doctrine comes from.
6. The curse of Cain, to Mormons, used to mean
black skin: until 1978.
Michael Wilder, Former leader and temple worker in the Mormon Church,
served on the high council
1. There is a huge conflict
between being a Biblical Christian and being a Mormon.
2. I believed I could progress to become a god.
3. You are only taught
doctrine as you progress through the priesthood.
4. “The only true and living
church, upon the face of the earth today is the Mormon Church.” This was
supposedly spoken to Joseph Smith by Jesus. Doctrines and Covenants 130 section
1 verse 30
5. ‘General Salvation in
Mormonism is: the gift of resurrection to all men, all women, whether they
believe in Christ or not. Salvation is not by grace. ‘Individual Salvation’ in Mormonism is: by
your own righteous acts you are now earning a higher kingdom. You work your way to the Celestial Kingdom.
Quotes by famous Mormons -
Gordon B. Hinkley, Prophet, Seer, Revelator and 15th.
President of the Mormon Church said:
He “does not believe in the traditional Christ”. Which Jesus does he believe in? June of 1998,
“The traditional Christ of whom they (Christians) speak is not the Christ of
whom I speak”. “Logic and reason would certainly suggest that if we have a
Father in heaven, we have a mother in heaven.”
Lorenzo Snow, 5th. President of the Mormon Church, and
Apostle LeGrand Richards. “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may
become.”
Joseph Smith, Founder of the Mormon Church.
“God, himself, was once as we
are now and is an exalted man and sits enthroned in yonder heaven. I’m going to tell you how God came to be
God. We have imagined and supposed that
God was God from all eternity. I will
refute that idea and take away the veil so that you may see he was once a man
like us and you have to learn how to be God’s yourselves.” “You have got to learn to be Gods yourselves,
and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you,
namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to
a greater one.” “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most
correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion: and a man would
get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.”
Joseph Fielding
Smith, 10th Prophet of
the Mormon Church
“Our Father in heaven,
according to the prophet, had a father, and since there has been a condition of
this kind through all eternity, each father had a father.”
Brigham Young, Second Prophet of the Mormon Church
“The Lord created you and me
for the purpose of becoming Gods like himself.
We are created to become Gods like unto our Father in heaven.”
Brigham Young, (Journal of
Discourses 3:93)
“With regard to true
theology, a more ignorant people never lived than this so-called Christian
world.” “The Lord created you and me for
the purpose of becoming gods like himself, when we have been proved in our
present capacity, and been faithful with all things he puts into our
possession. We are created; we are born for the express purpose of growing up
from the low estate of manhood, to become gods like our father in heaven.”
Bruce R.
McConkie, Apostle in the Mormon
Church
“Salvation in the celestial
kingdom…is not salvation by grace alone.
Rather, it is salvation by grace coupled with obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the (Mormon) gospel.” “From the days of the prophet Joseph even
until now it has been the doctrine of the church never questioned by any of the
church leaders, that the Negroes are not entitled to the full blessings of the
gospel.” “Negroes in this life are
denied the priesthood, under no circumstance can they hold this delegation of
authority from the Almighty. The gospel
message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them. Negroes are not equal with other races.” “God
the father is a perfected, glorified, holy man, an immortal personage; and
Christ was born into this world as the literal son of this holy being. He was
born in the same personal, real, and literal sense that any mortal son is born
to a mortal father. There is nothing figurative about his paternity. He was
begotten, conceived, and born in the normal and natural course of events, for
he is the son of God and that designation means what it says.”(Mormon Doctrine
page 742)
As far as I can determine, Jesus Christ would not qualify
to be a temple participating Mormon.
