Reasoning with Mormons out of the scriptures (Acts 17:2) (Home)
Table of Contents:
Introduction 3. Adam
6. The Priesthood 9. The Gospel
12. Eternal Life
1. His Image 4. Jehovah
7. Apostasy
10. Baptism Summary
2. Creation 5. One God
8. Prophets
11. Marriage
Scripture References
Jesus told us "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John.8:31-32). Jesus taught "the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he" (Mark 12:29,32). Joseph Smith taught "three Gods" (Joseph Smith Teachings - Ensign, Mar 2008, 68-73). Joseph Smith was the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, also known as Mormonism. Joseph Smith does not continue in the words of Jesus.
The Bible reveals that we can know a false prophet because they "shall bring in damnable heresies" (2Pet.2:1). A heresy is a teaching that conflicts with what Jesus and his apostles taught. Joseph Smith teaching of "three Gods" conflicts with Jesus and his apostles teaching of "one God" (Mark.12:29,32; 1Cor.8:4-6). Christians continue in the things which they have learned and have been assured of, knowing whom they learned it (2Tim 3:14).
Mormonism teaches that "The angel Moroni and other heavenly visitors brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith" (Gospel Principles Chapter 41). The gospel brought to Joseph Smith can be found in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon reveals “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2Nephi 25:23). The Bible reveals “by grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph.2:8). We are not saved "after all we can do" like the Book of Mormon reveals, we are saved "according to his own purpose and grace" (2Tim 1:9). We are justified by his grace not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5,7). The Bible warns us that an angel from heaven can preach "another gospel" than what the apostles preached (Gal.1:6-8).
We can learn if the Book of Mormon is true or false by searching the Holy Scriptures and allowing the Spirit of Truth to lead us to all truth, God will give wisdom to those who ask him (Acts.17:11; John.16:13; James.1:5). Jesus did not teach us to use feelings to know if something is truth, Jesus taught that we can know the truth by continuing in his words (John.8:31-32). Jesus did not reveal "we are saved, after all we can do” (2Nephi 25:23) like the Book of Mormon. The apostle's of Jesus did not state we are "saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances" like the Mormon's third Article of Faith. A false prophet, like Joseph Smith, can come in sheep's clothing and can show a great sign like the Book of Mormon to deceive many (Matt 24:11,24; Matt 7:15).
Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high (Rom.5:1-18). We can choose to believe or not believe the gospel (Mark.16:15,16; Luke.8:12,13). We are not saved by faith only, we are saved by grace through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works, not of ourselves (James 2:24; Eph.2:8,9). Living faith involves charity, it is not faith only, we are doers of the word not hearers only (James 2:14-26; James 1:22). Faith alone is dead, if it has not works, without charity we are nothing even if we have faith (James 2:17; 1Cor 13:2). It is God which works in us as we work out your own salvation (Phil 2:12,13). The apostle Paul said, by the grace of God I am what I am, I labored yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1Cor.15:10). We are careful to maintain good works because these things are good and profitable unto men (Titus 3:8). When we love God we keep his commandments, his commandments are to believe and love one another (1John 5:2; 1John 3:23).
The Mormon Faith is very different than "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude.1:3). As Christians we are " stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2Thes.2:15). The Bible reveals "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1Tim.4:1). We are to not to believe every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1John 4:1). The Mormon study guide Gospel Principles teaches:
1. God the Father "became God" (Chapter 47) and he has "a tangible body of flesh and bones" (Chapter 1).
2. Jesus was born of "heavenly parents" (Chapter 2) and that Satan is his "brother" (Chapter 3).
3. The gift of the Holy Ghost can only be received by a person who has been baptized "by a person having the proper authority" (Chapter 20).
4. The Book of Mormon "is the keystone" (Chapter 10) of the Mormon religion.
5. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a prophet, Mormons "do those things the prophets tell us to do" (Chapter 9).
The Mormon study guide Gospel Principles teaches "the goal of every Latter-day Saint" is an "eternal marriage" in a Mormon temple (Chapter 38). Jesus tells us that being unmarried is not for all but only for those to whom that is granted by God (Matt 19:11). The apostle Paul viewed marriage and being unmarried as a particular spiritual gift from God (1Cor 7:7). The Mormon study guide Gospel Principles teaches the following about marriage:
1. "each of us has been commanded to marry and have children" (Chapter 36)
2. "our exaltation depends on marriage" (Chapter 38).
3. "Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives ... He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father." (Chapter 47)
4. "Those who inherit the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, who become gods, must also have been married for eternity in the temple." (Chapter 46)
5. "When people are married outside the temple, the marriage ends when one of the partners dies" (Chapter 36).
As Christians we can follow Jesus' example, when Jesus saw people that were like sheep without a shepherd he was moved with compassion toward them and he began to teach them many things (Mark.6:34). We can teach Mormons the truth of "one God", the truth shall make them free (John.8:31-32). Mormons have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Joseph Smith, they are entangled after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet.2:15-20).
We can persuade Mormons to continue in the grace of God (Acts.13:43).We are under grace, we do not continue in sin but walk in newness of life, we yield ourselves unto God, we are instruments of righteousness unto God, we yield ourselves servants to obey, we obey from the heart, we yield as servants to God to righteousness unto holiness, we have fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom.6:1-23). Those who hear the word of God but do not understand fall away, those who understand the word of God bring forth fruit to perfection (Luke.8:11-15).