(Note: I do not in any way desire to misrepresent Mormonism. Therefore, I’ve quoted every single belief system from their website and quoted other valid material resources to tackle their doctrines).
Introduction:
The Mormons-better known as the Latter-day saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian church in America. More than half of its 15 million members live outside the United States.” (https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq)
What I Appreciate?
“Latter-day Saints believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save all mankind from death and their individual sins. Jesus Christ is central to the lives of Church members. They seek to follow His example by being baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), praying in His holy name (Matthew 6:9-13), partaking of the sacrament (Luke 22:19-20), doing good to others (Acts 10:38) and bearing witness of Him through both word and deed (James 2:26). The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.” (https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq)
Note: There is always some truth in all false cults or religion. That’s why it is so deceptive and alluring. They use the Scripture as a proof-text for their belief system and so, there is a need for thorough examination. The Bible also tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” (1 John 4:1).
An Examination Needed
For credibility to any movements, be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and others, we need to first examine the life of the founder and see if it matches well with his teachings. Now, the Mormons do claim that they believe in God and in Jesus but we have to ask, “What kind of God and what kind of Jesus?”
Life of Joseph Smith:
Let’s see the life (specifically the moral life) of Joseph Smith;
1. In 1830, Joseph Smith founded the LDS Church and published the Book of Mormon, which he claimed was ancient scripture that he translated from gold plates by the gift of God.
2. In the 1840s, Joseph practiced polygamy and taught polytheism. Between 1841 and 1843 Joseph, who may have been practicing polygamy in secret as early as 1831, “married” at least thirty women—including many who remained legally married to other men. During this same period, Joseph Smith produced new scriptures and began teaching that many Gods made the world.
3. In a notorious sermon called the King Follett Discourse on April 6, 1844, Joseph taught that God the Father himself had not always been God, but was a man who became a God by the same process of exaltation by which humans were meant to become Gods.
4. He died a violent death. He was killed in mob violence in 1844.
Mormons consider Joseph to have been a prophet and the greatest man who ever lived besides Jesus Christ.(Adapted from http://mit.irr.org/joseph-smith-founder-of-mormonism)
Objections:
1. The addition of Scriptures to the 66 books of the Bible is a clear disobedience to God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19).
2. The adulterous life of the prophet Joseph Smith is also another clear act of disobedience to God’s word (Matthew 19:5, 6; 1 Timothy 3:2). In fact, the present-day Mormons do not encourage this practice.
3. The teaching about the evolution of God the Father is clearly blasphemous and misrepresents the God of the Bible (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14).
Now, I will point out some few reasons why you should reject Mormonism. You will see the danger of building a theology out of a verse and not reading the Verse in context. For the sake of credibility, I will quote precisely as to how they put it on their website.
Point 1: Christ Original Church for “One Faith” is restored in Modern Times by Joseph Smith
They believe this foundation of “one faith” was gradually undermined after the death of Christ’s apostles. As a result, the original foundation of authority to lead the Church was lost and needed to be restored (Acts 3:21). Today, members preach that the Lord has indeed restored His Church with living apostles and prophets, starting with the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith. (https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq).
Objection: Acts 3:21 is not referring to Joseph Smith in any manner. That’s ripping a text out of context. The context speaks of only One person, Jesus Christ. The restoration was already done by our perfect King, Priest and Prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Point 2: They have their own modern 12 Apostles called Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Objection: Acts 1:21, 22; 12 designated Apostleship only for those who had been with Jesus during his lifetime (to be a witness of his Resurrection).
Point 3: They believe in pre-earth life: where the spirit of all mankind lived with Heavenly Father to a future life in His presence where continued growth, learning and improving will take place.
Objection: This is just plain speculation. There is no teaching in the Bible of a pre-earth life.
Point 4: They can become like God
Mormons believe that we are all sons and daughters of God and that all of us have the potential to grow during and after this life to become like our Heavenly Father (Rom. 8:16-17; 2 Peter 1:4, misreads “partakers in divine nature”).
Objection: The idea of growing and maturing to God-like character is truly presented in the Bible. But the Bible does not in any form or manner promises believers of becoming like God in its infinite power or glory. That’s vain imagination.
Point 5: They have an additional Scripture of their Own
“In addition to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the writings of ancient prophets, giving an account of God’s dealings with the peoples on the American continent. For Latter-day Saints it stands alongside the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as holy scripture.”
(https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq)
Objection: Revelation 22:18, 19; I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll (the last book of the Bible): If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll… God will take from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
Point 6: They offer sacraments on behalf of their deceased ancestors.
“Mormon temples are also used to perform marriage ceremonies that promise the faithful eternal life with their families...” “They emphasized the importance of water baptism based on John 3:5: They practice proxy baptism based on 1 Cor. 15:29. “For those who have passed on without the ordinance of baptism, proxy baptism for the deceased is a free will offering. According to Church doctrine, a departed soul in the afterlife is completely free to accept or reject such a baptism — the offering is freely given and must be freely received.”
(https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq)
Objection: The Mormons once again misreads 1 Corinthians 15:29 as a proof-text for baptizing/performing rites for their families. This is reading a verse out of context. Jesus clearly states that there is no marriage after resurrection. The eternal bodies of believers will be like angels. In other words, there is no familial relations in heaven (Matthew 22:30).
Point 7: They forbid certain foods.
Accordingly, alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and illegal drugs are forbidden.
Objection: Read 1 Timothy 4:3, 4.
Conclusion
With all these points, both from misusing and misquoting the Bible to the controversial life of their Prophet Joseph Smith, I would not be a part of this community in whatsoever form or manner. Stay away from Mormonism.
Read more:
About Mormon’s Basic Teachings: https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq
About failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith: http://mit.irr.org/failed-prophecies-of-joseph-smith
~Basic Doctrine of Mormons :https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-basics--faq
~About the prophet’s Life: http://mit.irr.org/joseph-smith-founder-of-mormonism
