The Real Threat of Mormonism

Over the years I have encountered many misperceptions that Mormons have about Christians and Christianity. One of note is found in a little book published in 1998 by LDS author Scott Marshall. In an effort to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, Mr. Marshall wrote,

“THE TRINITY CREATION. They believe in the trinity creation. The trinity was voted on in the Council of Nicene hundreds of years after Christ’s death. A bunch of church leaders and govern­ment officials got together and voted on ‘who God was?’, and it wasn’t even a unanimous vote. There were about four different versions of God that they voted on. The version that is used by Catholics and Protestants today only won by about a 40 percent margin. Their view of God, as you may know, is that He is like a formless mass of spirit that fills the whole universe and when He comes to earth, part of it breaks off and forms itself into Jesus.” (Scott Marshall, Tracting and Member Missionary Work, 73)

Both historically and doctrinally, this teaching on the Trinity and its “creation” is atrocious. Yet at least one Mormon (the author) believes it.

Another idea – and one that is long-lived and widely embraced among Mormons – is that Christians “fight” against the LDS Church out of a fear of “member poaching” that results in lower salaries for individual Christian pastors. This misperception is being promoted in a brand new book by LDS author Christopher C. Sheldon, Donning the Armor of God: The Saint’s Guide to Defending the Faith. Mr. Sheldon encourages members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to read his book to find facts and information that will prepare them for encounters with critics of the LDS Church.

In Chapter 2 (“Anti-Mormon Thinking and Tactics”) Mr. Sheldon explains why critics “would go through all the trouble” of arguing against Mormonism. After stating that Christians believe Mormonism is “a twisting of Christianity,” Mr. Sheldon writes,

“Another reason as to why Christians fight against the Church is a two-part problem. First, they are upset with the fact that we believe ours to be the one and only true church of Christ and that all other Christian teachings are wrong. In this respect it is understandable why Christians are upset with the Church. This statement and belief is threatening to the Christian community. It brings into question and threatens the credibility of Christianity. This leads us to the second problem for Christian denominational leaderships, because preaching is their job and sole source of income. Aside from tithing[,] ministers, pastors and preachers are paid so much money per seat filled in their congregations… Thus, every member lost is money lost.” (8-9)

Continue reading at Mormonism Research Ministry

The threat from Mormonism is summed up in this paragraph:

Mormonism threatens the eternal hope of millions of people. It proclaims a false god. It proclaims a false gospel. It proclaims an unattainable eternal future, making spiritual promises that it cannot fulfill. Those who place their faith and hope in Mormonism will never see Heaven because they have rejected God’s merciful and gracious offer of redemption in Christ alone. Often unaware, they have turned from the narrow gate that leads to eternal life, choosing instead the wide gate that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

Random Things About Mormonism

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.

Random Things About Mormonism

Mormonism Research Ministry’s blog Mormon Coffee always has some interesting tidbits about the Mormon Church’s false teachings.  This article explains their convoluted teaching about God the Father.

An excellent resource is available for those reaching out to Mormons: A Timeline of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.  Some good information demonstrating the many versions which contradict each other, and when they came about.

Something I’ve know for a long time, since I study Mormonism more than any other false teaching, is the fact that Mormons as a whole are under more stress than the average population.  With their constant striving for perfection, and worrying about whether they’ve done enough to earn salvation, it is no real wonder why they are so stressed out!  I’ve previously read that Utah has the highest rate of depression in the U.S.A.

When it comes to dealing with Mormons, Christians are too easily turned into pretzels because they can’t even defend their own beliefs.  I watched this video of someone role-playing a Mormon to unsuspecting Christians.  It was quite frustrating for me to listen to these students “go down in flames” trying to respond.  It is a good lesson about being prepared.

What do the Mormons really teach about the Bible; do they truly accept it as the Word of God?

Looking through some older magazines, I came across this outstanding article about Mormon polygamy.  The problems with such a marital construct proves that God would not condone it, let alone command it!

I just love it when someone points out another problem with Joseph Smith’s theology.

The LDS Church thinks they have the copyright on the word “Mormon” as a trademark — and actually battled against someone using that word on a dating site!  Will they go after my blog?

If you are not familiar with the original “9/11” massacre in 1857 when Mormons wiped out a wagon train which “violated” their territory, take a look at this Mormon Coffee article discussing a ballad which was written about it.  Mormons continue to claim that it was rogue members with no authorization from LDS leaders, but the evidence is pretty conclusive that Brigham Young was responsible; John D. Lee (leader of the attack) states as much in his book, “Mormonism Unveiled”.  For those of my readers who have an interest, I can suggest the following titles:
American Massacre, by Sally Denton
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, by Juanita Brooks
White Flag: America’s First 9/11, by Wayne Atilio Capurro
Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows, by Will Bagley

Lastly, I have a question for Mormons.  According to the doctrine of “Eternal Progression,” God (“Heavenly Father”) is the father of the spirits of everyone who ever lived on earth.  He is their father in the “normal” way, having produced such spirits with his wife (or wives).  Now, since God is the father of all the spirits, who then come to earth in bodies to work their way to godhood, why do they have to be adopted as children of God? (Galatians 4:5, et al)  A parent never has to adopt their own child - it wouldn’t make sense!