The Teaching of the Mormons

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by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints also known as Mormons, began in 1830 by Joseph Smith in New York. In September 21, 1823, God sent the Angel Maronai so that Smith could restore the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. On September 22, 1827, four years later, Joseph Smith returned to the site to give the angel Maronai back the plates. These plates were used to translate the Book of Mormon. Now there is no evidence that did take place and it’s his word only. According to their beliefs, they have three additional sacred books to the Bible: The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. 

The Mormons believe: 

  1. Salvation Through Several Means– “The Mormon doctrine of salvation is not by faith in Christ alone, but it must include baptism by immersion, obedience to the teaching of the Mormon Church, good works, and keeping the commandments of God which will cease away the stain of sin” Journal of Discourses, 2:4. Furthermore, they claim that they can believe in Jesus Christ after they die- Luke 23:43 “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. They believe “paradise” is the spirit prison where the dead go to hear the Mormon “gospel” preached. 
  • Ephesians 2:8-10 says that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing. No works. 
  • Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto me once to die, but after this the judgment”. 
  1. God was a Man and became a God– Journal of Discourses 6:3 “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man”. This they believe,  as we will see later in the lesson, because they too “can become God.  
  • Genesis 1:1 “in the beginning God”. God already existed in the beginning, before anything was created or formed, God was.
  • I John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life”. Before the foundation of the world God was.
  • Malachi 3:6 “I am the Lord, I change not”. Always has been God and always will be God. God never was a man who turned into God. 
  1. Man can Become God– The Gospel Through the Ages “As man is, God once was: as God is, man may become”. Moses 1:39 “For behold, this my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. 
  2. Isaiah 43:10 “before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” vs 11 “ I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour”. 
  1. The Holy Spirit is Not a Part of the Trinity– According to Talmage, The articles of Faith, 42-43 “It has been said, therefore, that God is everywhere present; but this does not mean that the actual person of any one member of the Godhead can be physically present in more than one place at one time”. 
  • I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghose: and these three are one.” 
  • God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity- Godhead. He is eternal (always existed), omnipotent (Almighty-possessing unlimited power), omnipresent (present in all places at the same time), omniscient (all knowing). 
  • The Holy Spirit indwells believers, anoints, regenerates, guides, empowers, sanctifies, comforts, gives joy, bears fruit, and gives gifts. 

5. Baptism Saves– Acts 2:38  They believe they need to be baptize in order to be saved and receive the Holy Ghost. Problems with their single proof text: 

  • vs 36- this is a reference to the “house of Israel”. This is a jewish audience. 
  • vs 36- Peter tells them that Jesus whom they crucified is both Lord and Christ, in other words, YOU killed Jesus Christ who was God manifest in the flesh. 
  • Vs 37- they ask “what shall WE do”? These people needed to do something because they had said “His blood be on us, and on our children” Matthew 27:25. They wanted to know what THEY needed to do. The solution for THEM was vs 38 “Repent, and be baptized … for the remission of sins”. This was something THEY needed to do. This is not the New Testament method of Salvation.
    • In Acts 16:30-34 the jailor asked a specific question, “what must I do to BE SAVED?” Now this is specific, and the answer was “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”. Then in verse 33, those that believed were baptized. First salvation then baptism, as a New Testament model. 

6. They must Keep the Commandments– I John 2:3 “We know Him if we keep His commandments”. This passage is directed to the Jew in the Tribulation when the commandments will come back as a requirement for salvation. Their salvation is based on their obedience, Revelation 14:12 and Revelation 22:14 and faithfulness until the end of the tribulation, Matthew 24:13. 

  • Romans 10:4 “Christ is the end of the law for the believer”
  • Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil”. 
  • Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us”. James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all”. You break one law, you’re guilty of all.  

7. Jesus Christ was Not Begotten by The Holy Ghost– Journal of discourses 1:50-51- “When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost”. 

  • Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son”. 
  • Matthew 1:18-20 “She was found with child by the Holy Spirit”. 

Conclusion: These are the primary reasons why Mormons are zealous of good works. It is a religion of changing theology and much confusion of the scriptures. They exalt their others books over the Bible and don’t believe the Words of God.