As an avid defender of the truth, I try to be aware of the many false teachings in the world in order that I may know how to properly and effectively respond with the Scriptures (1 Peter 3:15). One area in which I have recently done a tremendous amount of study is Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
The Mormon faith is quite strong. You probably know at least a few Mormons. I know many. They are generally honest, sincere, friendly, and a joy to be around. They are firmly committed to their faith and zealously teach their doctrines with a world-wide missionary program. Two of their young elders in suit & tie have probably knocked on your door desiring to talk about Jesus Christ and offering you a free copy of the Book of Mormon. You've also probably seen their television commercials that boast of family commitment and brotherly kindness.
I don't claim to be an expert on Mormon doctrines, but I have studied it intensely, having read all of their "standard works" and other publications by the LDS publishing house (Deseret), as well as non-Deseret books written by past LDS presidents and apostles. Furthermore, I have a personal window into the Mormon lifestyle: my wife is one.
This article is intended to help the Christian understand some of the flaws/inconsistencies in Mormon teachings. Understand though that I do not question the sincerity of any Mormon, I only question their teachings.
As many attempts have been made by anti-Mormon writers to destroy Mormon teachings, I have studied their evidence and also studied the Mormon responses. Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to plead his case seems just, until another comes and examines him." The Christian who reads anti-Mormon literature will at first conclude beyond a doubt, without ever having read the Book of Mormon or other Mormon literature first, that Mormons are cultists, polygamists, racists, polytheists, and even Satan-worshippers. Yet the Mormons usually have a quite impressive (even plausible) response! This a fault on the part of the Christian because he fails to turn to the Mormon response to those accusations. Now I am not here to defend Mormonism...far from it! Rather, I want to help the Christian reader to look objectively at Mormonism and investigate it thoroughly himself instead of taking the word of other people.
Having studied the Mormon responses to the various accusations made against them, I have come up with the following subjects that give them the most trouble. I will attempt to state as plainly as possible the common accusation against them, and then briefly state their response. I will then share my personal thoughts on it.
So open your Bible (and even Mormon literature if you have it) and see for yourself.
Perfect Translation: A Horse By Any Other Name...
Bread, Water, and the Sacrament (Lord's Supper)
Polytheism and Eternal Progression
Born of a Virgin...or not?
Baptisms for the dead
After readint the above articles, you can see that Mormon teachings are not altogether consistent and logical at times. Though they do an excellent job of defending many accusations against them, they fail in these areas. I recommend to the Christian investigator that, when you encounter a Mormon, don't come out with accusations that you yourself may not understand, or that you heard from someone else. Take instead Mormon teachings and show how they fall apart by themselves. The Mormon won't listen to you when you read a Bible passage that disproves Mormonism because he believes the Bible to be incorrectly translated and the Book of Mormon to be the most perfect book on the planet. You can preach from the Bible till you're blue in the face, and he'll walk away more sure than ever that he is right about being a Mormon. Instead, you must show him from his own scriptures and from logic (the Mormons pride themselves on being educated and logical) that he is in error. And most importantly: REMEMBER THAT THE GOAL IS TO CONVERT HIM TO CHRIST, NOT JUST TO YOUR CHURCH!!! You were once a sinner too, needing the kindness of someone else to teach you the Gospel; do the Mormon the same favor of love by teaching him gently the truth.
Here are some other questions you should investigate and ask your Mormon friends:
What laws are Heavenly Father bound by?
If some laws are greater than Him, does subjection to those laws make Him not all-powerful?
Where today are John and the 3 Nephites who were given immortality on earth?
Could a person reach heaven with the Bible alone? "How much" salvation can one get with just the Bible?
Why can't the current Prophet finish revising the Bible like Joseph Smith started?
Is salvation something you can currently possess, or eventually receive? (1 John 5:13)
Isn't the golden statue of the angel Moroni a violation of the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4)?
Is the Holy Spirit a god? If yes, how did he become a god without receiving a physical body in which to live on an earth,obey the gospel, and be sealed in the Temple?
The modern Prophets give "revelations" from time to time, but when and what was the last actual prophecy that was made?
All Bible quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible.
The Web Counter says you are visitor number
RELATED SITES:
Jerald & Sandra Tanner
Recovery From Mormonism
Books on Mormonism
The Mormonism Research Ministry
written by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible.
We do not necessarily endorse any web site outside of this one. All links are provided for your information only.