thatnk you so much for your comment. it was very interesting esspecially the first part where u said"My first experience with the LORD I don’t remember. I believe that before I was born I existed as a spirit child of God, and that before I was born I testified of Christ. My mother has often told me stories about how when I was really little I would cry at night saying that I “missed Jesus.” As a child I had a basic understanding of Christ. I loved him, and I knew that he loved me." that was really interesting. but where does it say that in the Bible ? U said that are saved through Christ and in doing so u Belvie in the Bible. Where does say this in the Bible? and also u said that u knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet Because of a Felling. Cant stan stan use ur Feelings to decive you? if i had a felling to go and kill some one right now would that make it right? no. I know that Jesus is real because He is evident in my life. i dont need a felling. i dont mean to be abrsive but it kinda of ticks me off when people dont back up what they belive with what the bible says. So back to what i was saying before. U claim to be a chritian and ur "chuch" claims to be apart of the Boby of Christ. well i did so research on this topic and this is what i Found.
Is Mormonism a true Christian church? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books, which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian?
1. IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOD? The Bible teaches and Christians believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34). Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302). 2. WAS GOD ONCE A MAN LIKE US? The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577). 3. ARE JESUS AND SATAN SPIRIT BROTHERS? The Bible teaches that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived ly by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35). The Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers (Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192). 4. IS GOD A TRINITY? The Bible teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1). Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649). 5. CAN WE MAKE OURSELVES WORTHY BEFORE GOD? The Bible teaches that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually % in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please — Romans 6:1-4). Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23). That’s is completely opposite to what the Bible teaches, good works will not guarantee you a place in heaven, it’s a matter of your daily work with God. Looking through all that they teach I have come to see that all that the Momons teach are all against the Bible. 6. DOES CHRIST'S ATONING BENEFIT THOSE WHO REJECT HIM? The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12). Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669). 7. IS THE BIBLE THE UNIQUE AND FINAL WORD OF GOD? The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Sea Scrolls. The Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191). 8. DID THE EARLY CHURCH FALL INTO TOTAL APOSTASY? The Bible teaches that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials. By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).
Conclusion: Mormons share with Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism.
The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach "another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the evidence presented above, i believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel and also I believe that they are the false church that will bring different teaching and try to lure people into their beliefs and leave the conventional and traditional form of beliefs that we as Christians hold true. It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets of Mormonism — that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely established — the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon is one does not believe the fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the Christian community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept Mormonism as authentic Christianity? If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly. Why does it have The name the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints? my only guess is to lure people in and decive them of another false gosple
i am praying for you daily~ roe 1 John 2:6
Hey- thanks for the follow-up, I appreciate that and your prayers.
I have a question for you. Why are you using so much of your time to prove my Church wrong? Do our beliefs affect you that much?
Yet again your comment surprised me. I thought you wanted me to tell you how I believed. Instead, it seems like You’ve told me how I believe. And since a few of those things were misrepresented or misunderstood . . .
JEREMIAH 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
God knew me too, before I was born. The Book of Revelation makes it clear that Heaven existed before the Earth. There was a war there, between Jesus (the Lamb) and Lucifer (the dragon). I’ll go more into that relationship later, the point I’m making now is that I believe we were part of that war.
Side note: (Even though my points today are coming from the Bible, understand that the Bible is a Modern invention. Jesus didn’t have a Bible. Paul didn’t have a Bible. They had scriptures, but they taught the people by revelation. Those revelations were written and sent out to various groups of saints. Hundreds of years after Christ those revelations were compiled and cannonized because they had lost the Apostles. By then many important revelations had been lost. We believe some of them were restored by the Latter-day Prophets. There is no support that such a restoration couldn’t happen. To do so would to say that God doesn’t want to talk to us anymore- or that he’s changed and has stopped using his chosen method after thousands of years. God never closed the cannon. Man did.)
Your next point hurt deep. You asked me if Satan (I think that’s who you meant) could deceive me. Well duh! He is the Father of all Lies! But honestly, would Satan want me to believe in a Book that makes it so clear that Jesus is the Christ? Would Satan want me to believe in Prophets who teach me to be a better person? Would Satan want me to be happy? Baptized? Righteous? Faithful to Christ?
Or would Satan want me to deny Christ? Or to sin? To be miserable, but with a false hope of pleasure? Maybe he would tell me that I am evil, or that God does not talk to His people anymore. Maybe he would tell me that God does not love me. That is what Satan would want us to believe.
I know what I felt. I know that the feeling that tells me that Jesus is the Christ is the same feeling that tells me that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the Holy Ghost.
NO MAN CAN SAY THAT THE BOOK OF MORMON IS NOT TRUE UNLESS HE HAS READ IT WITH SINCERE DESIRE TO KNOW AND HAS PRAYED ABOUT IT TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST TO ASK IF IT IS TRUE. I challenge you to search it, to ponder it, and to pray about it. It can’t hurt you, right? I’ve never met a man who has read that book, prayed about it sincerely without a hard heart and found it to be untrue.
Now I will address your points: 1. Is there more than one true God? First let me assure you that we worship only ONE God. Second let me say that we have never taught anyone that any Mormon has ever become a god. Third let me quote the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
In Alma chapter 11 we read of a scene that takes place in 82 B.C. between Amuleck (a missionary representing OUR teachings) and Zeezrom (an evil lawyer trying to disprove the Church). Read it carefully and pay attention to verses 28-29, 38-39, and 44
26 And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? 27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. 28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? 29 And he answered, No.. . . 32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God? 33 And he said unto him, Yea. 34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word. 35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God. 36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins. 37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. 38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? 39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; 40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. 41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. 42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. 43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. . . . 46 Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have written. (http://scriptures.lds.org/alma/11)
That is the Book of Mormon for you, our core and pure Gospel message.
2. Was God once a Man like us? Was God ever man?- yes. He walked this Earth in the flesh from 1 to 34 AD. Was God ever like us? No- the Church has never implied that God was ever like us, although we believe that as part of the Atonement he endured all of our pains and sufferings so that he could relate to us and take our sins upon him. We also believe that we are made in his image (that’s from Genesis ) We go no further than that.
3. Are Jesus and Satan Spirit Brothers? First let me say the Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus was the ONLY begotten of the Father in the flesh. SATAN WAS NEVER A BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. However, we do believe that in the war in heaven (see Revelation), Lucifer was a fallen angel. Before he “fell”- he was one of God’s angels, and therefore one of God’s creations. Just as we are God’s children in the creation, so was Lucifer one of God’s children in the sense that he has the same Heavenly Father. Lucifer used his free agency (God given power to chose) to deny that bond and turn against us and God. The belief that all of God’s creations are brothers and sisters is not unChristian. It is founded in the Book of Revelation and other portions of the Bible.
4. Can we make ourselves worthy before God? 1 Cor. 6:9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived”
No unclean thing can dwell before God. Heaven must be a lonely place then? Or did God provide a way for us to become clean so that we can be worthy of the Kingdom of God?
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taught me that Jesus died for our sins so that we could be saved. Christ commanded us to strive for perfection even though BECAUSE OF OUR FLESH WE CANNOT. ONLY IN CHRIST CAN WE BE MADE PERFECT. That is CORE Mormon teaching. It is also in Harmony with the true Christian Doctrine.
6. Does Christ's Atoning benefit those who reject HIM? Latter-day Saints teach that because of Christ all are resurrected (would a loving God make people cease to exist?) Our spirits ARE ETERNAL. HOWEVER!, The Atonement will not SAVE anybody in Sin or disbelief in Christ. Rather, reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation and Mormons teach that no salvation will come to any who deny Jesus Christ. If there is any difference there in Christian thought (I don’t see it), it is certainly no different from any minor difference between different Christian sects.
7. Is the Bible the Unique and Final word of God? Who closed God’s Revelations? Christ didn’t, because that would mean the New Testament is False. Speaking of the New Testament, it was formed hundreds of years after Christ. It was compiled by a council of Christians who had the authority to essentially decide what went in and what didn’t go in the Bible. Who said that authority doesn’t still exist? We believe the Bible is the Word of God and will stand forever (see D&C 1). As to its “corruption”- Modern scholars agree that many hands have added and removed things from the Bible. The council of Nicea for example, and also a council of Rabbis in 90 A.D. The book “Biblical Sources of Monotheism” states, “Modern Biblical study . . . has demonstrated clearly that many pens, many voices, and many minds living and working over long periods of time had a share in the authorship and editing of the . . . Bible” Recognizing that fact, Joseph Smith was able to (with the Revelations of God) go back and clarify what centuries of translation and editing errors have lost.
8. Did the early Christian Church fall into Apostasy? As Christ’s apostles fell away (Judas) or died, NEW APOSTLES WERE CALLED IN THEIR PLACE. It was like a calling. When the Apostles ceased to exist, the doctrines Christ taught fell into confusion. When teaching about the day of the Second Coming, Paul says:(2 Thes. 2:3) “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” See also: Isa. 29: 10, 13; Isa. 60: 2;Amos 8: 11;Matt. 24: 24;Acts 20: 29;Gal. 1: 6;2 Tim. 2: 18;2 Tim. 3: 5;2 Tim. 4: 3-4;2 Pet. 2: 1.;Jude 1: 4;Rev. 2: 2
I hope that helps you understand what we believe more clearly. Please don’t be confused in your research. If you have questions, go directly to the source- read our scriptures http://www.scriptures.lds.org. They won’t lead you astray. E-mail if you still have questions or concerns . . .
hey dan, once again im telling you your very smart, i never wou;d have thought i'd find u on xanga, lol, came out of nowhere, i just saw ur aim screenname and it was really u, cool stuff, well, hope 2 c u on the bus, and i also wanted 2 say, "tight poem", peace out
Comments (3)
thatnk you so much for your comment. it was very interesting esspecially the first part where u said"My first experience with the LORD I don’t remember. I believe that before I was born I existed as a spirit child of God, and that before I was born I testified of Christ. My mother has often told me stories about how when I was really little I would cry at night saying that I “missed Jesus.” As a child I had a basic understanding of Christ. I loved him, and I knew that he loved me." that was really interesting. but where does it say that in the Bible ? U said that are saved through Christ and in doing so u Belvie in the Bible. Where does say this in the Bible? and also u said that u knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet Because of a Felling. Cant stan stan use ur Feelings to decive you? if i had a felling to go and kill some one right now would that make it right? no. I know that Jesus is real because He is evident in my life. i dont need a felling. i dont mean to be abrsive but it kinda of ticks me off when people dont back up what they belive with what the bible says. So back to what i was saying before. U claim to be a chritian and ur "chuch" claims to be apart of the Boby of Christ. well i did so research on this topic and this is what i Found.
Is Mormonism a true Christian church? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books, which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian?
1. IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOD?
The Bible teaches and Christians believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34).
Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).
2. WAS GOD ONCE A MAN LIKE US?
The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577).
3. ARE JESUS AND SATAN SPIRIT BROTHERS?
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived ly by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35).
The Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers (Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
4. IS GOD A TRINITY?
The Bible teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1).
Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649).
5. CAN WE MAKE OURSELVES WORTHY BEFORE GOD?
The Bible teaches that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually % in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please — Romans 6:1-4).
Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23).
That’s is completely opposite to what the Bible teaches, good works will not guarantee you a place in heaven, it’s a matter of your daily work with God. Looking through all that they teach I have come to see that all that the Momons teach are all against the Bible.
6. DOES CHRIST'S ATONING BENEFIT THOSE WHO REJECT HIM?
The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12).
Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669).
7. IS THE BIBLE THE UNIQUE AND FINAL WORD OF GOD?
The Bible teaches and Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Sea Scrolls.
The Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191).
8. DID THE EARLY CHURCH FALL INTO TOTAL APOSTASY?
The Bible teaches that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).
Conclusion:
Mormons share with Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism.
The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach "another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the evidence presented above, i believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel and also I believe that they are the false church that will bring different teaching and try to lure people into their beliefs and leave the conventional and traditional form of beliefs that we as Christians hold true.
It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets of Mormonism — that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely established — the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon is one does not believe the fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the Christian community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept Mormonism as authentic Christianity?
If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly. Why does it have The name the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints? my only guess is to lure people in and decive them of another false gosple
i am praying for you daily~ roe 1 John 2:6
Hey- thanks for the follow-up, I appreciate that and your prayers.
I have a question for you. Why are you using so much of your time to prove my Church wrong? Do our beliefs affect you that much?
Yet again your comment surprised me. I thought you wanted me to tell you how I believed. Instead, it seems like You’ve told me how I believe. And since a few of those things were misrepresented or misunderstood . . .
JEREMIAH 1:4-5
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
God knew me too, before I was born. The Book of Revelation makes it clear that Heaven existed before the Earth. There was a war there, between Jesus (the Lamb) and Lucifer (the dragon). I’ll go more into that relationship later, the point I’m making now is that I believe we were part of that war.
Side note: (Even though my points today are coming from the Bible, understand that the Bible is a Modern invention. Jesus didn’t have a Bible. Paul didn’t have a Bible. They had scriptures, but they taught the people by revelation. Those revelations were written and sent out to various groups of saints. Hundreds of years after Christ those revelations were compiled and cannonized because they had lost the Apostles. By then many important revelations had been lost. We believe some of them were restored by the Latter-day Prophets. There is no support that such a restoration couldn’t happen. To do so would to say that God doesn’t want to talk to us anymore- or that he’s changed and has stopped using his chosen method after thousands of years. God never closed the cannon. Man did.)
Your next point hurt deep. You asked me if Satan (I think that’s who you meant) could deceive me. Well duh! He is the Father of all Lies! But honestly, would Satan want me to believe in a Book that makes it so clear that Jesus is the Christ? Would Satan want me to believe in Prophets who teach me to be a better person? Would Satan want me to be happy? Baptized? Righteous? Faithful to Christ?
Or would Satan want me to deny Christ? Or to sin? To be miserable, but with a false hope of pleasure? Maybe he would tell me that I am evil, or that God does not talk to His people anymore. Maybe he would tell me that God does not love me. That is what Satan would want us to believe.
I know what I felt. I know that the feeling that tells me that Jesus is the Christ is the same feeling that tells me that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the Holy Ghost.
NO MAN CAN SAY THAT THE BOOK OF MORMON IS NOT TRUE UNLESS HE HAS READ IT WITH SINCERE DESIRE TO KNOW AND HAS PRAYED ABOUT IT TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST TO ASK IF IT IS TRUE. I challenge you to search it, to ponder it, and to pray about it. It can’t hurt you, right? I’ve never met a man who has read that book, prayed about it sincerely without a hard heart and found it to be untrue.
Now I will address your points:
1. Is there more than one true God?
First let me assure you that we worship only ONE God. Second let me say that we have never taught anyone that any Mormon has ever become a god. Third let me quote the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
In Alma chapter 11 we read of a scene that takes place in 82 B.C. between Amuleck (a missionary representing OUR teachings) and Zeezrom (an evil lawyer trying to disprove the Church). Read it carefully and pay attention to verses 28-29, 38-39, and 44
26 And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God?
27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.
28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?
29 And he answered, No.. . .
32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God?
33 And he said unto him, Yea.
34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.
35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.
36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.
37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.
38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?
39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. . . .
46 Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have written.
(http://scriptures.lds.org/alma/11)
That is the Book of Mormon for you, our core and pure Gospel message.
2. Was God once a Man like us?
) We go no further than that.
Was God ever man?- yes. He walked this Earth in the flesh from 1 to 34 AD.
Was God ever like us? No- the Church has never implied that God was ever like us, although we believe that as part of the Atonement he endured all of our pains and sufferings so that he could relate to us and take our sins upon him. We also believe that we are made in his image (that’s from Genesis
3. Are Jesus and Satan Spirit Brothers?
First let me say the Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus was the ONLY begotten of the Father in the flesh. SATAN WAS NEVER A BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. However, we do believe that in the war in heaven (see Revelation), Lucifer was a fallen angel. Before he “fell”- he was one of God’s angels, and therefore one of God’s creations. Just as we are God’s children in the creation, so was Lucifer one of God’s children in the sense that he has the same Heavenly Father. Lucifer used his free agency (God given power to chose) to deny that bond and turn against us and God. The belief that all of God’s creations are brothers and sisters is not unChristian. It is founded in the Book of Revelation and other portions of the Bible.
4. Can we make ourselves worthy before God?
1 Cor. 6:9
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived”
No unclean thing can dwell before God. Heaven must be a lonely place then? Or did God provide a way for us to become clean so that we can be worthy of the Kingdom of God?
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Matthew 5:48
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taught me that Jesus died for our sins so that we could be saved. Christ commanded us to strive for perfection even though BECAUSE OF OUR FLESH WE CANNOT. ONLY IN CHRIST CAN WE BE MADE PERFECT. That is CORE Mormon teaching. It is also in Harmony with the true Christian Doctrine.
6. Does Christ's Atoning benefit those who reject HIM?
Latter-day Saints teach that because of Christ all are resurrected (would a loving God make people cease to exist?) Our spirits ARE ETERNAL. HOWEVER!, The Atonement will not SAVE anybody in Sin or disbelief in Christ. Rather, reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation and Mormons teach that no salvation will come to any who deny Jesus Christ. If there is any difference there in Christian thought (I don’t see it), it is certainly no different from any minor difference between different Christian sects.
7. Is the Bible the Unique and Final word of God?
Who closed God’s Revelations? Christ didn’t, because that would mean the New Testament is False. Speaking of the New Testament, it was formed hundreds of years after Christ. It was compiled by a council of Christians who had the authority to essentially decide what went in and what didn’t go in the Bible. Who said that authority doesn’t still exist? We believe the Bible is the Word of God and will stand forever (see D&C 1). As to its “corruption”- Modern scholars agree that many hands have added and removed things from the Bible. The council of Nicea for example, and also a council of Rabbis in 90 A.D. The book “Biblical Sources of Monotheism” states, “Modern Biblical study . . . has demonstrated clearly that many pens, many voices, and many minds living and working over long periods of time had a share in the authorship and editing of the . . . Bible” Recognizing that fact, Joseph Smith was able to (with the Revelations of God) go back and clarify what centuries of translation and editing errors have lost.
8. Did the early Christian Church fall into Apostasy?
As Christ’s apostles fell away (Judas) or died, NEW APOSTLES WERE CALLED IN THEIR PLACE. It was like a calling. When the Apostles ceased to exist, the doctrines Christ taught fell into confusion.
When teaching about the day of the Second Coming, Paul says:(2 Thes. 2:3)
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” See also:
Isa. 29: 10, 13; Isa. 60: 2;Amos 8: 11;Matt. 24: 24;Acts 20: 29;Gal. 1: 6;2 Tim. 2: 18;2 Tim. 3: 5;2 Tim. 4: 3-4;2 Pet. 2: 1.;Jude 1: 4;Rev. 2: 2
I hope that helps you understand what we believe more clearly. Please don’t be confused in your research. If you have questions, go directly to the source- read our scriptures http://www.scriptures.lds.org. They won’t lead you astray. E-mail if you still have questions or concerns . . .
hey dan, once again im telling you your very smart, i never wou;d have thought i'd find u on xanga, lol, came out of nowhere, i just saw ur aim screenname and it was really u, cool stuff, well, hope 2 c u on the bus, and i also wanted 2 say, "tight poem", peace out
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