Well, the big news now is a statement by the Mormon Church about rights for “gays.” They are willing to compromise, yet those who practice homosexuality have already turned down such a compromise. The real problem here is that the Mormons pretend that “gays” don’t already have the exact same rights as everyone else, and what they really want — and are getting — are special rights base on their sexual behavior! So, my big question is this: Why aren’t Mormons taking God’s side on this issue?
Another bit of news is a new Mormon Temple in Indiana. It’s not so much what the Mormons are telling the public, rather it is — as usual — what they aren’t telling the public.
Mormon teaching on abortion is quite convoluted. So why is abortion a sin?
Janis Hutchinson has done an excellent study on the bizarre Mormon “Law of Adoption.” It’s quite a long paper, but she does give you an alternative to select a “condensed version.
Moving along with some current Mormon news, it looks like some “doctrine” is being removed from the Doctrine & Covenants
Christians Apologetics & Research Ministry has some “Interesting Quotes from Brigham Young.” There are so many examples of unbiblical nonsense!
CARM also has a list of very interesting “Questions for Mormons” which I’d like Mormons to answer!
Kent Ponder takes an in-depth look of the Jaredite ships described in the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon. After explaining what the text says, Ponder has 40 thought-provoking questions which should make any Mormon take notice of problems with this story.
The last two items, by James White, come from Alpha & Omega Ministries.
First, we have some quotations from Mormon leaders telling us what they think of the Christian faith - i.e., the true Christian faith vs. Mormonism. They are not very nice.
Second, White gives a timeline of The Evolution of Mormon Theology. Most Mormons have no idea about this true history of their teachings.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
LDS “Articles of Faith”
The following is copied from the tract booklet, “The Articles of Faith OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS (MORMON); A Christian Examination,” by Carol J. Stoddard, which was published by the Utah Christian Tract Society. Utah Christian Tract Society was founded in 1956 and continued until 1990, when UCTS merged with Mormonism Research Ministry, who gave me permission to post it here.
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The Mormon church publishes a list of thirteen Articles of Faith which are attributed to its founder Joseph Smith. This “statement of belief” is contained in one of their books of “scripture,” on missionary cards, and in various pamphlets. One would expect a church’s statement of faith to be a true reflection of the teachings and beliefs of the organization. However, while the Mormon church’s thirteen articles sound quite “Christian” on the surface, further explanation is necessary. The following is a discussion of each article individually and in turn:
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Mormons believe in a God who progressed from being a mortal man, on an earth like ours, to an exalted man, in a system of “eternal progression.” He is our Father in a literal physical sense, having many wives with whom he sexually procreated all of us a spirit children in heaven. They believe in Jesus Christ as the first spirit child born to God and one of his wives. Jesus and Satan were spirit brothers, and Jesus became Christ because his free agency plan of salvation was accepted by God over Satan’s compulsory plan. Mormons also believe in a Holy Ghost who does not have a physical body like God and Jesus supposedly do, but is a “personage of spirit” which can “only be in one place at one time” (Mormon Doctrine, p.359, an LDS book); sand yet he “dwells in us” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 LDS book of “scripture”). A Mormon, John A. Widtsoe, said, “The chief agent by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes his work is usually spoken of as the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God. It is a universe-filling medium or influence.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, p.62, LDS book). Anyone can check a Greek dictionary to see that the one word pneuma is translated either “ghost” or “spirit” interchangeably. There is no distinction.
In the 1835 edition of the LDS book, Doctrine and Covenants, pp. 52-58, the Mormon church taught only two, not three, members in the Godhead. “There are two personages . . . the Father and the Son: The Father being a personage of spirit, glory and power, . . . the Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of tabernacle . . . possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit . . .”. The Mormon idea of the Trinity is: God, and exalted man; Jesus, a spirit son, now with a body; and the Holy Ghost/Spirit, which is either the “mind” of God and Jesus, or is an influence. Either way, their Holy Ghost could not be a god because “the crowning Gospel ordinance requisite for Godhood is celestial marriage . . . obedience to this law is absolutely necessary in order to obtain the highest exaltation in the Kingdom of God.” (The Gospel Through the Ages, pp.118-119, LDS book). Accordingly, the Holy Ghost is not a god because he doesn’t have a body with which to obey this law. Furthermore, to qualify for godhood, Jesus must have been married. Mormon apostle Orson Hyde, and second president of the LDS church, Brigham Young, stated that Jesus was married to Mary, Martha, and others, and had children. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.2, p.210; Vol.4, pp. 259-260; Vol.13, p.309; LDS books).
Since we cannot understand even then finite things of our lives and world, how presumptuous to try to define, describe, and explain (thereby limit, and eventually eliminate) the infinite. A thorough study of the names,, attributes, and works of each three individually leads to the conclusion that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Are there then three gods? NO — “the Lord our God is one Lord,” (Deuteronomy 6:4). There is one God existing eternally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
Mormons believe that Adam did not “sin,” but merely obeyed the greater of two conflicting commandments (first, to multiply; and second, to not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil). Actually, these are not in conflict as the commandment to “be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28) was given before sin came into the world, and Adam and Eve were in their original state of innocence. But the Mormons believe that Adam and Eve (one of his wives from heaven) couldn’t have children until after the Fall . . . so they needed to “fall” in order to multiply, therefore they had to disobey the command no to eat. They say that Adam “transgressed” but did not “sin.” The plain teaching of God’s Word is: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law,” (1 John 3:4), and “Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned” (Romans 5:12); “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:19). People are not sinners because they commit an act of sin, rather, we commit sins because we are sinners, by nature, as humans, from Adam. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Romans 6:23).
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Mormons believe Christ’s atonement merely brought resurrection from physical death, and opened the way for people to become gods by earning their own salvation through obeying the laws of the Mormon church. However, Christ said, “I AM the way,” (John 14:6). “Therefore by deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight,” (Romans 3:20), but we can be “Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:24).
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mormons believe the principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the spirit son of an exalted man; second, To cease from all wrongdoing; third, Baptism by immersion to receive forgiveness of past sins (future sins to be pardoned either by partaking of the sacrament” [water and bread], or through personal interviews with bishops or stake presidents, with possible disfellowshipping or excommunication); fourth, Laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Mormon church. Additional ordinances, administered in the temples include: washing, anointing, receiving a new name, receiving sacred undergarments, baptism for the dead, communication of the first and second tokens (grips) of the Aaronic priesthood, and of the first and second tokens of the Melchizedek priesthood, and the Patriarchal Grip. They also believe one must attend all meetings, sustain all church authorities unreservedly, pay tithing, and not use tobacco or alcohol. Birth control is out. A good member will accept any callings and perform all duties required. Nevertheless, after all of this, there is NO assurance of eternal life; you won’t know if you “made it” until after you die.
How beautiful is God’s Word: “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God HAT GIVEN TO US ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,” (1 John 5:9-13).
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
Mormon males who are worthy (until June 1978 black men weren’t “worthy”…) are admitted into an ascending order of priesthood offices, beginning with twelve-year-old boys and on up (each one called directly by prophecy?). Apostles are called to their apostleship as well as the boards-of-directors and presidencies of many large corporations, owned by the Mormon church., and receiving salaries from these corporations. Yet the LDS church criticizes Christian churches for paying their ministers. Jesus Himself said “the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7, Matt. 10:10), and this was reiterated by the Apostle Paul in giving instruction for church order (1 Timothy 5:18). The verse 1 Peter 5:2 refers not to a salary but to the motivation behind a minister serving among God’s people.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
Mormons believe in apostles, prophets., and teachers, but not “pastors” or “evangelists.” Other churches which have apostles and prophets are: Reorganized LDS church; Church of Jesus Christ, Strangite; Church of Christ, Temple Lot; Church of the Fullness of Time; Catholic Apostolic Church, and others. Mormons also have elders and deacons. Their deacons are ordained at age twelve. God’s Word says, “Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well,” (1 Timothy 3:12). It is interesting that the Utah LDS church claims to have the only authority on earth to function as Christ’s church, claiming a continuous succession of twelve apostles (from the time of Joseph Smith on), although the actual number has ranged from 15 to 18 or so. When Christ was on earth He ordained twelve apostles in Israel. There was only one true church. Then why did Christ supposedly ordain twelve more apostles among the Nephites? That’s twenty-four apostles on earth at the same time. Was there an Israelite church and a Nephite church? Furthermore, Mormons say that apostasy set in among both groups and the authority was lost. So then, Christ tried twice to set up His church only to have it fail both times? But when Joseph Smith organized his church there was no falling away?
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I will build MY church and the gates of hell WILL NOT prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Christ’s real church is not a man-made, man-powered organization, but a living, vital, universal body of believers, bound together by truth and love in a supernatural sense that no denomination could attain. The SAVED are the CHURCH, the body of Christ.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
Mormons believe in tongues and healing, but only by means of the Mormon priesthood; any other manifestation is of the devil. But where are the tongues, where the healings? A Mormon testimony meeting is full of mention of Joseph Smith and the “true church,” but nothing of the assurance of salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
8. We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
The wording of this article has been changed. Originally it read: “We believe in the Word of God recorded in the Bible; we also believe in the Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all other good books,” (Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Vol.ii, Wilford C. Wood). “Good books” are certainly not on the same level as the inspired Holy Scriptures. Notice that a qualification is now made concerning the Bible. Mormons say that they believe the Bible. Yet LDS apostle Orson Pratt said, “. . . who in his right mind could not for one moment suppose the Bible in its present form to be a perfect guide? Who knows that even one verse of the Bible has escaped pollution?” (Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, p.47). So the Bible is incomplete and corrupt? In a pamphlet entitled “Mormonism,” another LDS apostle, Hugh B. Brown, wrote on p.38, “The Book of Mormon is in complete harmony with the Bible and quotes from it frequently.” The Book of Mormon does have a biblical style since thousands of words are from the King James version, hundreds of words copied word-for-word. If the Bible is mistranslated and corrupt, why claim to use it? If it’s not, whey won’t they read it and believe it?
They believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God, supposedly containing the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” even though it does not say a word about the major LDS doctrines (eternal progression, God as an exalted man, temple work, baptism for the dead, polygamy — except to speak against it, or church organization), and in spite of almost four thousand changes in the text.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does not reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
Mormons believe all that their God has revealed and been interpreted by those having the “authority” to interpret, or reinterpret as with many “revelations.” They believe all that God reveals (although the church has not received a revelation and published it as scripture in over sixty years). They believe that God will yet reveal many “great and import and things.” Too bad if something really important is revealed after you die.
Is more revelation or scripture necessary? The Apostle Peter wrote that “His divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness,” (2 Peter 1:3). The Apostle Paul assures us, “Ye are COMPLETE in Him [Christ],” (Colossians 2:10). Read Paul’s epistles. “I have FULLY preached the gospel of Christ,” (Romans 15:19). Any other doctrines than those in the Bible constitute fraud, and are condemned in Galatians 1:8, 9. Is what is contained in the Bible enough? “And many other signs truly did Jesu in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book: but THESE THINGS ARE WRITTEN, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that BELIEVING ye might HAVE life through His name,” (John 20:30, 31). The Bible contains enough to know how to be saved (John 3:3, 16) and how to have assurance of salvation (1 John 5:9-13). It is ENOUGH.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
Mormons, among other, believe the ten tribes are “lost.” They are not lost, but scattered among the people of the world. In 722 B.C. the ten northern tribes were carried away captive by the Assyrians. The southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin were conquered in sieges from 605 to 586 B.C. by the Babylonians. From that time on, there are still Israelites from all twelve tribes around (Luke 2:36, Anna was from the tribe of Asher: John 1:19, Levites were in Jerusalem; Romans 11:1-5). All twelve tribes are among us, and in time twelve thousand will be gathered from each tribe (Revelation 7). Zion is in Israel, not Independence, Missouri, where Joseph Smith designated the location of the temple of the “New Jerusalem” (this plot of land is owned by a church which split-off from Mormons).
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
Mormons do worship “according to the dictates of their own conscience,” and are certainly free to worship this god of their own imagination (Acts 17:23; Romans 1:21, 22). All people have this “privilege” until Christ returns and establishes His rule. In the meantime, Christians will continue to worship in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Mormons believe in being subject to authority and sustaining the law (regardless of apostles having been jailed for having more than one wife, after being instructed by church authorities [who were constrained by civil authorities] not to; Reed Smoot Case, Vols. 1,2,4). Mormons must uphold polygamy as a true doctrine and yet must not practice it. To deny the doctrine is to deny Joseph Smith’s “revelation,” but to honestly preach and defend their doctrine would bring criticism. Hence, the disregard of present polygamous marriages.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul — We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Mormons believe in being honest, true, chaste (even though polygamy is preferable and will be practiced during the millennium and in their idea of heaven), benevolent, etc. They follow SOME of the admonitions of Paul. They do good deeds. Bu they do not understand (see 1 Corinthians 2:14) the wonderful words of God: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast,” (Ephesians 2:8,9); “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,” (Titus 3:5); or “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” (Romans 10:13).
It is apparent that what the Mormon Articles of Faith say and what they mean are two different things. Please do not be deceived. All truth from God will conform to His already established Word. Truth is not relative; it is fixed, and “the Word of the Lord endureth forever,” (1 Peter 1:25).
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH of a CHRISTIAN
1. We believe in God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2. We believe that “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life,” (1 John 5:12); that some will hear, “Depart from me, ye accursed, into everlasting fire,” (Matthew 25:41); and that some are assured, “verily (truly) I say unto you, he that hearth my Word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24).
3. We believe that through the acceptable, substitutionary sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God, “whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16), “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:24).
4. We believe that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,” (Romans 10:17). Saving faith consists of : first, Repentance (changing one’s mind about who Jesus is, turning from sin): second, Confession (Romans 10:9, 1 John 1:6-10); third, Obedience (John 14:15, 1 John 5:23). BECAUSE we ARE saved, we desire to take His Body and Blood in remembrance of Him, and be baptized to evidence to the unbelieving world that we have already died and risen in Christ.
5. We believe “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12); and “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things,” (Romans 10:15); and to “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2), “the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also,” (2 Timothy 2:2).
6. We believe the Church, the body of Christ, his bride, is “built upon THE foundation of THE apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” (1 Corinthians 3:11); that “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,” (1 Corinthians 12:13); and that we have one “great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,” (Hebrews 4:14).
7. We believe “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:4), that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7), “but all these worth that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will,” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
8. We believe that “the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you,” (1 Peter 1:25); that “prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21); and that “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous that the man of God may be perfect [mature], thoroughly furnished unto all good works.,” (2 Timothy 3:16).
9. We believe “according as His divine power hath given us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue,” (2 Peter 1:3); that “in the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but IN THESE LAST DAYS He has spoken to us BY HIS SON,” (Hebrews 1:1); and that the gospel was “written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name,” (John 20:31).
10. We believe that the twelve tribes will be regathered (Revelation 7:4-8), and that Christ will return to the Mount of Olives in Israel (Zechariah 14:4,9) and rule the world in righteousness.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping the true and living God, according to the Scriptures, realizing that “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God,” (1 Corinthians 1:18); because we are “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth,” (Romans 1:16).
12. We believe that “prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty,” (1 Timothy 2:1,2); and “Let every soul be subject unto higher powers. For there is no power but God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1); nevertheless, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
13. We believe that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22, 23). We believe the gospel preached by Paul, and others, who laid the foundation on which the real Church, or universal spiritual body of believers, is firmly established. We believe that at any moment “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17).
A PERSONAL WORD
When Jesus Christ returns for His people, will you be left behind? There is no neutrality. If you do not ACCEPT Christ, or if you embrace a false gospel, that is the same as REJECTING Him, and there is only one thing remaining -- condemnation: “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him,” (John 3:36). Confess to God that you are a sinner. If you believe that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, paying fully for your sin, and you receive Him personally as your Lord and Saviour, then you ARE saved. Yield your whole life to Christ, and by His grace serve Him faithfully, and acknowledge Him before others.
I was reared in the Mormon church, but now, by the abounding grace and mercy of God, I am a Christian, and I praise the Lord every day for calling me “out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” I received Jesus Christ as my Saviour and was born from above according to the Scriptures. I know the Bible is the true and faithful Word of God.
— — Carol J. Stoddard
Acknowledgement is made to LDS writers, Watchman of Ezekiel Ministries, and the Bible for information; to Utah Christian Tract Society, Ex-Mormons for Jesus, and Utah Missions, Inc. for encouragement in the faith, and to Geddes Press. And thanks be to God who has given me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.— Carol J. Stoddard.
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— — Carol J. Stoddard
Acknowledgement is made to LDS writers, Watchman of Ezekiel Ministries, and the Bible for information; to Utah Christian Tract Society, Ex-Mormons for Jesus, and Utah Missions, Inc. for encouragement in the faith, and to Geddes Press. And thanks be to God who has given me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.— Carol J. Stoddard.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Mormonism’s Pre-existence
The following is copied from the tract booklet, “Mormonism’s Pre-existence,” which was published by the Utah Christian Tract Society. Utah Christian Tract Society was founded in 1956 and continued until 1990, when UCTS merged with Mormonism Research Ministry, who gave me permission to post it here.
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The Mormon teaching of the pre-existence of man is one of the basic tenets of Mormon faith. This peculiar doctrine claims that "spirit children" are born of a heavenly father and mother and are eagerly waiting to enter human bodies. Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, taught that everything was created spiritually before it was created naturally upon the earth.
TAMPERING WITH THE BIBLE
In his "Inspired Version," which is simply Smith's revision of the King James Authorized Translation, altered to comply with his philosophy, Smith changed Genesis 1:5 and made it read: "For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth..." Then a new verse nine is added to the text and reads: "Nevertheless, all things were before created, but spiritually were they created and made, according to my word." (See Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version," Gen. 1:5 and 9).
TRUE YESTERDAY — FALSE TODAY
Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, in his book, "Mormon Doctrine," stated: "In the pre-existent eternity various degrees of valiance and devotion to the truth were exhibited by different groups of our Father's spirit-offspring... Those who were less valiant in pre-existence and who thereby had certain spiritual restrictions imposed upon them during mortality are known to us as the Negroes... Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty." (1966 Ed. pgs. 526, 527).
It seems that for Mormonism in the progressive revelation claimed by the Mormon church, yesterday's "truth" becomes today's "falsehood," and by corollary, today's truth" will be tomorrow's "falsehood." The pre-existence doctrine of Mormonism raises some difficult problems for the Mormon apologist.
HEAVENLY PARENTS?
Milton R. Hunter, a Mormon general authority, in his book, "The Gospel Through the Ages," Pg. 98, declares: "A complete realization that we are the offspring of Heavenly Parents - that we were begotten and born into the spirit world and grew to maturity in that realm - became an integral part of Mormon Philosophy.”
Brigham Young, second prophet of Mormonism, stated: "God made his children like Himself to stand erect, and has endowed them with intelligence and power and dominion over all His works, and gave them the same attributes which He himself possesses. He created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities that is, that were, or that ever will be." (Gospel Through the Ages, Pg. 99 and Journal of Discourses, Vol. II, pg. 122)
ALL SPIRIT IS MATTER
The unalterable law and order of the universe in creation is to produce "after their kind.” Mormon writer Lynn A. McKinlay in his book, "Life Eternal," page 80 says: "God Himself operates within the bound of eternal irrevocable laws," yet Mormon theology teaches that God is an exalted man "with a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" and that "All spirit is matter." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 130:22-131:7). The question we have often asked, and which as yet remains unanswered by Mormon theologians, is this: If "God made His children like Himself with the same attributes He Himself possesses..." why are His children not like Himself, with bodies of flesh and bones, instead of spirits needing to come into this world in order to take bodies?
BILLIONS OF SPIRITS — ONE FATHER
Again, in McKinlay's book, the following is recorded: "That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Now what about this, only one father for all the billions and billions of inhabitants upon the earth? So says the Scripture, (Mormon scripture, Doc. & Cov. Sec. 76:24) and not only this earth, but according to verse 24, the worlds...and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Confirming this in our very own language, we have in a doctrinal exposition put out by the First Presidency and the Twelve of the Church, this statement:...'The purpose of these scriptures is to the effect that the Eternal Father, whom we designate, by the exalted name Elohim, is the literal parent of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the spirits of the human race, - the literal father Elohim is the father in every sense that Jesus Christ is so designated, and distinctively he is the father of spirits.' The First Presidency and the Twelve agree here on this Doctrinal Exposition that we, all the human race, are literally the spirit offspring of a father - one father." (Life Eternal, pg. 35)
MIND BOGGLING
It staggers the imagination as to what Elder McKinlay is saying, in "spelling out" this Mormon doctrine of pre-existence so vividly in proclaiming: "Now what about this, only one father of all the billions of inhabitants upon the earth? And not only this earth, but the worlds and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
It is difficult to grasp the magnitude of the word billion. A more realistic value is obtained when applied to the constant measure of time:
One billion minutes ago Christ was still on earth! One billion hours ago the book of Genesis had not been written!
The world population today, numbers four and one half billion.
The people of planet earth could begin marching five abreast, past a given point, into eternity and the march could go on forever!
Before the world's population would pass the given point, new generations would have been born and entered the marching columns, continuing forever!
The number of people in the marching columns passing the given point would be - 300 every minute, 18,000 every hour, 432,000 every day, 157,680,000 every year - forever!
BUSY — BUSY — BUSY
Considering earth's population of approximately four and one half billion today, and the billions since Adam, who have passed on, and according to Mormon theology, all requiring pre-existent spirits, offspring of one heavenly father, it must have taken billions of years past for the one heavenly father to produce these "billions and billions" of "spirit children" just for planet earth. The Mormon prophets claim "that the worlds (Doc. & Cov. 76:24) are inhabited with "begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
Joseph Smith even described the inhabitants of the moon! And Brigham Young claimed that there were inhabitants on the sun! (Young Women's Journal, Vol. III and Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, pg. 271). Also, according to "The Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and the Twelve of the Mormon Church" recorded in "Life Eternal" pg. 35, "only on father is the father of spirits." But let us return to earth.
Continuing to pursue this incredible Mormon doctrine of pre-existence, just to keep the present earth's population replenished would require producing 432,000 spirit children every day - forever!
Nativity requires a nine month gestation period, and as Brigham Young stated: "God made His children like Himself... He created man as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all eternities that is, that were, or that ever will be." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. II, pg. 122). So, in the Mormon scheme of things, millions upon millions of polygamist heavenly mothers would have to be involved, and certainly the "one father" exalted-man-God of Mormonism would have to travel like streaked lightning, flitting about amongst his millions of wives, visiting each one for a split second, producing three hundred spirit children every minute - eighteen thousand every hour - four hundred and thirty-two thousand every day - one hundred and fifty-seven million, six hundred and eighty thousand every year - just to replenish planet earth!
YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN
It seems the reason that Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders have gone to such lengths to try and establish the doctrine of things being created spiritually before their creation naturally, becomes clear when we realize that they desire to extend the supposition that we are all children of God, having been begotten "in the spirit" by God and a heavenly mother, and that God is our literal father. They thereby endeavor to escape, and make void, the Bible doctrine of the absolute necessity of being born again in order to become a child of God. (John 3:3; 1:12-13).
It is simply amazing how people stumble at the simplicity of the truth as revealed in God's Word, the Bible, and are taken in and tricked by the irrational and inane philosophies of men!
TRUE SPIRITUAL BIRTH
The quotations from John 3:3 and 1:12, 13 are direct statements and cannot be misunderstood, misinterpreted, or taken out of context. "ye MUST be born again!”
The Bible also says: "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." (1 Corin. 15:46) The truth portrayed in this statement completely destroys Mormonism's theory of pre-existence, and all of its senseless ramifications. The Bible is also very specific in proclaiming the spiritual birth and how spiritual birth is obtained.
Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) and the Apostle Peter declared: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." (1 Peter 1:23). Being "Biblically born again" of the Spirit is a God-given supernatural event. The great miracle of being truly "born again" and becoming the sons of God is explained in John 1:12, 13. Notice that the Word of God is very explicit in declaring the miracle is God-given and completely excludes any works of man. "But as many as received Him [the Christ of the Bible], to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood [it is not hereditary], nor of the will of the flesh [it is not of man's desires], nor of the will of man [it is not by man's direction, order or institution], but of God.”
The simple steps of being born again are, acknowledge your sin and need, then receive - accept - believe on - Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour and Lord. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house..." "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 16:31; 4:12). "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." NOW, TODAY, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and "you will find rest unto your soul." (See 2 Cor. 6:2 and Matt. 11:28-30).
In his "Inspired Version," which is simply Smith's revision of the King James Authorized Translation, altered to comply with his philosophy, Smith changed Genesis 1:5 and made it read: "For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth..." Then a new verse nine is added to the text and reads: "Nevertheless, all things were before created, but spiritually were they created and made, according to my word." (See Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version," Gen. 1:5 and 9).
Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, in his book, "Mormon Doctrine," stated: "In the pre-existent eternity various degrees of valiance and devotion to the truth were exhibited by different groups of our Father's spirit-offspring... Those who were less valiant in pre-existence and who thereby had certain spiritual restrictions imposed upon them during mortality are known to us as the Negroes... Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty." (1966 Ed. pgs. 526, 527).
Milton R. Hunter, a Mormon general authority, in his book, "The Gospel Through the Ages," Pg. 98, declares: "A complete realization that we are the offspring of Heavenly Parents - that we were begotten and born into the spirit world and grew to maturity in that realm - became an integral part of Mormon Philosophy.”
The unalterable law and order of the universe in creation is to produce "after their kind.” Mormon writer Lynn A. McKinlay in his book, "Life Eternal," page 80 says: "God Himself operates within the bound of eternal irrevocable laws," yet Mormon theology teaches that God is an exalted man "with a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" and that "All spirit is matter." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 130:22-131:7). The question we have often asked, and which as yet remains unanswered by Mormon theologians, is this: If "God made His children like Himself with the same attributes He Himself possesses..." why are His children not like Himself, with bodies of flesh and bones, instead of spirits needing to come into this world in order to take bodies?
Again, in McKinlay's book, the following is recorded: "That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Now what about this, only one father for all the billions and billions of inhabitants upon the earth? So says the Scripture, (Mormon scripture, Doc. & Cov. Sec. 76:24) and not only this earth, but according to verse 24, the worlds...and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Confirming this in our very own language, we have in a doctrinal exposition put out by the First Presidency and the Twelve of the Church, this statement:...'The purpose of these scriptures is to the effect that the Eternal Father, whom we designate, by the exalted name Elohim, is the literal parent of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the spirits of the human race, - the literal father Elohim is the father in every sense that Jesus Christ is so designated, and distinctively he is the father of spirits.' The First Presidency and the Twelve agree here on this Doctrinal Exposition that we, all the human race, are literally the spirit offspring of a father - one father." (Life Eternal, pg. 35)
It staggers the imagination as to what Elder McKinlay is saying, in "spelling out" this Mormon doctrine of pre-existence so vividly in proclaiming: "Now what about this, only one father of all the billions of inhabitants upon the earth? And not only this earth, but the worlds and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
Considering earth's population of approximately four and one half billion today, and the billions since Adam, who have passed on, and according to Mormon theology, all requiring pre-existent spirits, offspring of one heavenly father, it must have taken billions of years past for the one heavenly father to produce these "billions and billions" of "spirit children" just for planet earth. The Mormon prophets claim "that the worlds (Doc. & Cov. 76:24) are inhabited with "begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
It seems the reason that Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders have gone to such lengths to try and establish the doctrine of things being created spiritually before their creation naturally, becomes clear when we realize that they desire to extend the supposition that we are all children of God, having been begotten "in the spirit" by God and a heavenly mother, and that God is our literal father. They thereby endeavor to escape, and make void, the Bible doctrine of the absolute necessity of being born again in order to become a child of God. (John 3:3; 1:12-13).
The quotations from John 3:3 and 1:12, 13 are direct statements and cannot be misunderstood, misinterpreted, or taken out of context. "ye MUST be born again!”
The simple steps of being born again are, acknowledge your sin and need, then receive - accept - believe on - Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour and Lord. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house..." "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 16:31; 4:12). "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." NOW, TODAY, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and "you will find rest unto your soul." (See 2 Cor. 6:2 and Matt. 11:28-30).
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Did They Really Say That?!?
Why is it, in fact, that we should have a devil? Why did not the Lord kill him long ago? Because he could not do without him. He needed the devil and a great many of those who do his bidding just to keep men straight, that we may learn to place our dependence on God, and trust in Him, and to observe his laws and keep his commandments.
John Taylor, 3rd President of the LDS, 29 October 1882, Journal of Discourses 23:336.
So let me get this straight. Our omnipotent God does not have the power to “keep men straight,” so he needed the devil to do it for Him?!? This is certainly NOT the God of the Bible.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Random Things About Mormonism
For those who study Mormonism, the Book of Abraham should be familiar to you. For those who don’t study Mormonism, it will be new to you. The BOA was supposedly translated by Joseph Smith from an Egyptian funeral document that came into his hands. Of course the man couldn’t read Egyptian, but no one questioned him because he said his “gift” of translation was from God. Since the original parchment was found back in 1966, the Mormons have come up with lots of excuses as to why the document doesn’t read as Smith claimed. This video will take almost 57 minutes to watch, but it will give you the truth about the Mormon scripture, “The Book of Abraham.” Short answer - it’s a fraud.
They LDS have recently come up with another defense of the Book of Abraham - a defense that doesn’t hold water. Let’s look now at Mormon Coffee’s article about this “Mormon Conundrum.”
Mormon Coffee, the blog of Mormonism Research Ministry, is one of the best blogs for solid information about the LDS faith. I have collected a whole passel of links to some excellent articles, and today’s post will point you to many of them.
One of the doctrines Mormons try to pretend never happened is Brigham Young’s teaching — which he claimed to get from God — about Adam being God. They discount that Young was speaking as a prophet of God, and nowadays try to say he was just expressing a personal belief. Well, the history proves the LDS to be - as usual - liars.
Here’s a good article about “Citizen Smith” and his nomination for the Presidency of the U.S., as well as his ordination to “King.” Just another of those incidents most Mormons have no knowledge about.
Ever wonder about the so-called golden plates from which Joseph Smith “translated” the Book of Mormon? Some interesting things to think about.
An interesting article showing a likely place where Joseph Smith found all the names he used in the Book of Mormon.
In their continuous attempts to make nailing down “official doctrine” very difficult, the LDS-owned Deseret Book store has posted a disclaimer in a book about President Thomas S. Monson’s teachings! I’d like to see a Mormon explain how their President/Prophet can teach something that doesn’t represent the Mormon church!
What is the “official” teaching of the Mormon Church when it comes to their “gospel”?
Just how complicated of a religious system is Mormonism? Would it be this way if it was true?
Is the “Heavenly Mother” of Mormonism part of their godhead? “How many divine beings are there in the Mormon Godhead?”
I guess that’s enough for today. I hope you have found all these articles to be helpful in understanding more about the non-Christian beliefs of the Mormon religion.
They LDS have recently come up with another defense of the Book of Abraham - a defense that doesn’t hold water. Let’s look now at Mormon Coffee’s article about this “Mormon Conundrum.”
Mormon Coffee, the blog of Mormonism Research Ministry, is one of the best blogs for solid information about the LDS faith. I have collected a whole passel of links to some excellent articles, and today’s post will point you to many of them.
Here’s a good article about “Citizen Smith” and his nomination for the Presidency of the U.S., as well as his ordination to “King.” Just another of those incidents most Mormons have no knowledge about.
Ever wonder about the so-called golden plates from which Joseph Smith “translated” the Book of Mormon? Some interesting things to think about.
An interesting article showing a likely place where Joseph Smith found all the names he used in the Book of Mormon.
In their continuous attempts to make nailing down “official doctrine” very difficult, the LDS-owned Deseret Book store has posted a disclaimer in a book about President Thomas S. Monson’s teachings! I’d like to see a Mormon explain how their President/Prophet can teach something that doesn’t represent the Mormon church!
What is the “official” teaching of the Mormon Church when it comes to their “gospel”?
Just how complicated of a religious system is Mormonism? Would it be this way if it was true?
Is the “Heavenly Mother” of Mormonism part of their godhead? “How many divine beings are there in the Mormon Godhead?”
I guess that’s enough for today. I hope you have found all these articles to be helpful in understanding more about the non-Christian beliefs of the Mormon religion.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Official LDS Doctrine Is Like Jello
The following is from the article, “Pinning Down Mormon Doctrine (Part One),” by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, in the Christian Research Journal, Vol.23/No.3, 2001:
Well, as you can see, “official doctrine” can change at the whim of the “living oracles.” This is why each successive President can denounce teachings from his predecessors and no one questions him! If older revelations are embarrassing (Adam-God doctrine, Blood Atonement doctrine, e.g.), then new revelations cancel them out. When polygamy gave them trouble, suddenly a new revelation was had. When racist policies were bringing heat from the public, suddenly a new revelation refuted all previous teachings.
Nailing down “official” LDS doctrine is much like nailing Jello to a wall. In reality, there is NO standard LDS doctrine — their fickle man-god can’t seem to make up his mind! Does the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible as well as the Doctrine & Covenants? Yes, but the D&C is later so it must be given priority. Do modern teachings contradict all three books? Of course, but these new revelations must be given preeminence!
It is no wonder why Mormons are so confused about what their “official” teachings are!
Tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith believed that new revelation should not be accepted unless it coincided with previous teaching. He wrote, “My words, and the teachings of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them….We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine.” Other LDS leaders, however, did not concur with Smith’s position.
This was probably best illustrated in a story told by fourth LDS President Wilford Woodruff, and it has since been related in several general conference messages. In an 1897 conference speech, Woodruff recounted how he was present at a meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, when a “leading man in the church” had admonished his contemporaries to confine their revelations to the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. Mormonism’s founder Joseph Smith responded by asking Brigham Young, who later became the second LDS prophet, to give his position on the matter. The story continues:
Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: “There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day.” “And now,” said he, “when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.” When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: “Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.”
Defining LDS Scripture. Page 55 of the LDS Church manual entitled Gospel Principles reads, “In addition to these four books of scripture, the inspired words of our living prophets become scripture to us. Their words come to us through conferences, Church publications, and instructions to local priesthood leaders.”
Several leaders in the Mormon Church have emphatically stated that the living oracles carry even more weight than the standard works. Speaking in conference in 1916, LDS Apostle Orson Whitney said, “No book presides over this Church, and no book lies at its foundation. You cannot pile up books enough to take the place of God’s priesthood, inspired by the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the constitution of the Church of Christ… There is no book big enough or good enough to preside over this Church.”
According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Neither written scripture, nor natural theology, supercedes the ‘living oracles.’” In his “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet” speech given in 1980, Ezra Taft Benson insisted that the “living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.”
It is no wonder why Mormons are so confused about what their “official” teachings are!
Monday, January 5, 2015
An Interesting “Christmas” Date
As to the season of the year in which Christ was born, there is among the learned as great a diversity of opinion as that relating to the year itself. It is claimed by many Biblical scholars that December 25th, the day celebrated in Christendom as Christmas, cannot be the correct date. We believe April 6th to be the birthday of Jesus Christ as indicated in a revelation of the present dispensation already cited in which that day is made without qualification the completion of the one thousand eight hundred and thirtieth year since the coming of the Lord in the Flesh. This acceptance is admittedly based on faith in modern revelation, and in no wise is set forth as the result of chronological research or analysis. We believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, April 6, 1 B.C.
James Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p.104Even more problematic is the “revealed” year of 1 B.C. Since the Bible tells us that Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus, and Herod died in 4 B.C., Jesus would have to have been born prior to that time. And, since Herod was looking for a child of two years and under, Jesus could have been born as early as 6 B.C.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Baptism For the Dead
The following is copied from the tract booklet, “Baptism for the Dead: Dead Works,” which was published by the Utah Christian Tract Society. Utah Christian Tract Society was founded in 1956 and continued until 1990, when UCTS merged with Mormonism Research Ministry, who gave me permission to post it here.
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The Mormon church embraces a creed they entitle "Baptism For The Dead." This Mormon doctrine is a complicated system of performing vicarious "proxy labor" for the dead which is supposed to give the dead a "second chance." The ordinances are performed only in the Mormon temples. The involvement of the multi-million dollar genealogical program is an integral and essential part of the Mormon "Baptism For The Dead" doctrine.
HERETICS
The earliest reference to the practice of baptizing a living person in behalf of a dead person, perhaps, was that of Tertullian (160-220 A.D.). He referred to the movement as heretical.
The Cerinthians probably were the first to practice the ritual. The group may have evolved from those the Apostle Paul was addressing in 1 Corinthians 15:12. Although accepting the Christian faith and belief of the immortality of the soul, they could not accept a belief in the bodily resurrection of the dead. They began to rearrange the Christian teaching on the subject to better fit their own ideas, perhaps not realizing that by tampering with the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, they were falling into serious heresy.
St. John Chrysostom (345-407 A.D.) gives an account of the practice of baptizing a living person in the stead of a dead person which existed amongst a heretical sect, called the Marcionites, in the second century. He said; "This custom possibly sprang up among the Jewish converts, who had been accustomed to something similar in their faith. If a Jew died without having been purified from some ceremonial uncleanliness, some living person had the necessary absolution performed on him, and the dead were so accounted clean."
The ritual of baptizing a living person for a dead person was condemned by the Council of Hippo in 393 A.D. The sects which practiced this vicarious work for the dead gradually died out.
RESURRECTING DEAD WORKS
There is no historical evidence whatsoever that there was any baptism for the dead until the days of Tertullian. Nor was it a practice that in any way persisted down through the ages until we come to the nineteenth century and the founding of the Mormon movement.
On January 19, 1841, the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith resurrected the dead works doctrine of “baptism for the dead” which was practiced by the heretical sects of the second century, the Cerinthians, Montanists and Marcionites.
The Mormon prophet claimed the second chance baptism was taught by the Apostle Paul. He cites 1 Corinthians 15:29, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptizing for the dead?”
At this point we would ask a question, for it seems there is a paradox concerning Joseph Smith’s teaching. “Why would the Mormon prophet refer to the Bible when he should be referring to his Book of Mormon for instruction?”
GOSPEL IN ITS FULNESS
Joseph Smith in his story , page 51, verse 34, claims a book (the Book of Mormon, P.56:67) contained “the fulness of the everlasting Gospel,” and in many of his “revelations” the statement that the Book of Mormon contained the everlasting gospel in its fulness is found. (See Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 20:8, 9; 27:5 & 13; 35:12 & 17; 133:36 & 57; 135:3).
Also, in one of Joseph Smith’s “revelations” the following declaration is found: “…and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead;” (See Doc. & Cov., Sec. 128:17).
Now, why did not Joseph Smith cite instructions from the Book of Mormon (the Mormon gospel in its fulness) concerning baptism for the dead — “this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel”?
CONFLICTING GOSPEL
The question is a fair one to ask; certainly the Book of Mormon should be the text-book on the subject of “baptism of the dead.” However, herein lies the paradox. Nowhere within its 522 pages can there be found any mention of, or any instructions given, concerning “this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely the baptism for the dead.” In fact, the Book of Mormon teaching is in direct contradiction to the Mormon second chance doctrine of baptism for the dead. On page 283, verses 32 through 34 [Alma chapter 34], it states:
“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech you that ye do not procrastinated the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, it we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to the awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.”
It is quite obvious why the Mormon “elders” do not refer to the Book of Mormon as a text book on the subject.
UNPROFITABLE AND VAIN
The involvement of the Mormon multimillion dollars genealogical program and their temples are an integral part of the second chance baptism for the dead doctrine. However, the Bible makes it very plain that genealogies were never used for the purpose of establishing or bolstering a religious doctrine. Biblical genealogies in the main were to set forth the line of the promised Redeemer. After the Cross, genealogies serve no Scriptural purpose and are to be avoided because they are unprofitable and vain. The Bible says: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do.” (1 Timothy 1:4). Also, “But avoid foolish questions and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3:9).
The Mormon temples also are in violation of Biblical teaching. The temple was ordained to perform a very specific ordinance which was completely and forever eliminated at the Cross when the Lord cried: “It is finished.” The Shekinah departed, the temple lost the Glory of God, and He no longer dwells “in temples made with hands.” The veil of the temple was “rent in twain from the top to the bottom,” abolishing all temple work forever! The Bible again states: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24.
SAVED OR LOST
The Bible does not teach a second chance after death, or a do-it-yourself salvation. Every person is either saved or lost — there is no middle ground. In the Gospel of John 3:36 it plainly declares:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (See also Revelation 3:15, 16)
In Luke chapter 16 verses 19 through 31 we are given a vivid picture of the state of the saved and the lost dead, and in verse 26 it states: “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”
The text definitely reveals that doing vicarious “proxy labor” for the dead is deception and can only raise false hopes.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:29
Let us now thoughtfully examine 1 Cor. 15:29 in its textual setting to determine what the Apostle Paul was teaching when he said: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?”
In this great resurrection chapter (1 Cor. 15) the Apostle Paul was discussing the bodily resurrection and its meaning for the believer. They key to Paul’s meaning is found in his own description of what baptism signifies in Romans 6:3, 4:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him in baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
These verses throw a tremendous amount of light on 1 Cor. 15:29. Else what shall they do — the “they” are the doubters in vs. 12 who were being baptized into the Christian faith but did not believe in the resurrection. They were being baptized “for the dead” or into Christ’s death, “Buried with him in baptism.” (Col. 2:12 and Rom. 6:3). IF the dead rise not at all, then Christ would still be counted among the dead (vs. 16). Why are they, the doubters in vs. 12 then baptized for the dead, or into Christ’s death? (vs 17)
In addressing the Christians in the church at Corinth, Paul rebukes this faction that, although accepting and being baptized into the new Christian faith that Paul was proclaiming, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. In verse 12 Paul says:
“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say come among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”
Then in verses 13, 14, 15 Paul reasons that if there is no resurrection, then Christ is not risen and his preaching is vain and their faith is also vain. And, in verses 16, 17, that if Christ is not risen then He is still to be counted among the dead, and they would still be in their sins.
Then, in verse 29, Paul is asking those who do not believe in the resurrection, why are they being baptized?
“ELSE WHAT SHAL THEY DO…” the “they” are the doubters in vs.12 who were being baptized into the Christian faith but doubted the resurrection
“WHICH ARE BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD…” into Christ’s death - “Buried with him in baptism…” Col. 2:12 and Rom. 6:3
“IF THE DEAD RISE NOT AT ALL?…” then Christ would still be counted among the dead, vs.16
“WHY ARE THEY…” The doubters in verse 12
“THEN BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD?” into Christ’s death, verse 17.
So the natural question involved in vs. 29 is basically this: Why be baptized at all? If there is no resurrection, then baptism is just for the dead because that is all you are — if there is no resurrection. What is the point?
So the essence of Paul’s argument in verse 29 is: Your belief or unbelief in the resurrection is more than just an academic matter. It involves your very baptism into the fellowship of the Body of Christ. If you question the resurrection, you empty the sacrament of baptism of all its meaning both with respect to Christ and with respect to your own experience in Christ. But when you believe with Paul that “…Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept…” (Vs. 20) then the sacrament of baptism becomes one of the most beautiful and meaningful of experiences.
“WHICH ARE BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD…” into Christ’s death - “Buried with him in baptism…” Col. 2:12 and Rom. 6:3
“IF THE DEAD RISE NOT AT ALL?…” then Christ would still be counted among the dead, vs.16
“WHY ARE THEY…” The doubters in verse 12
“THEN BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD?” into Christ’s death, verse 17.
So the essence of Paul’s argument in verse 29 is: Your belief or unbelief in the resurrection is more than just an academic matter. It involves your very baptism into the fellowship of the Body of Christ. If you question the resurrection, you empty the sacrament of baptism of all its meaning both with respect to Christ and with respect to your own experience in Christ. But when you believe with Paul that “…Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept…” (Vs. 20) then the sacrament of baptism becomes one of the most beautiful and meaningful of experiences.
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