TEN REASONS WHY I CANNOT BE A MORMON INTRODUCTION:
-- We probably all have seen these white-shirted guys in pairs riding around the FM-area on their bicycles.
-- These are the Mormon 'elders' propagating their religious faith.
-- Are they LEGITIMATE [Isaiah 8:20] or are they a CULT as many feel?
1. MORMONISM DOES NOT TEACH THAT THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLIBLE WORK OF GOD.
'We believe the Bible to the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the book of Mormon to be the word of God' (Articles of Faith, No. 8).
As Christians we believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant, infallible and God-breathed. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; Luke 21:33)
"(16)All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17)That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17)
"(20)Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21)For the 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." (II Peter 1:20-21)
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18)2. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT GOD IS AN EXALTED MAN AND HAS A PHYSICAL BODY.
'God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345). "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's..." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 131:22)
The Bible says, "God is not a man..." (Numbers 23:19). "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) "[A] spirit hath not flesh and bones," (Luke 24:39).
3. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT CHRIST AND THE DEVIL ARE BROTHERS.
'...that Lucifer, the son of morning, is our elder brother and the brother of Jesus Christ' (Mormon Doctrine by Bruce McConkie, pp. 163-4).
The Bible says that the devil is a created being, created by God.
"Thou [Lucifer] wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezekiel 28:15) "(16)For by him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him...." (Colossians 1:15-17)4. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT JESUS WAS MARRIED AND THAT HE IS POLYGAMOUS.
'We say it was Jesus Christ who was married at Cana of Galilee' (Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 80). Mormonism teaches that Jesus was the natural child of Adam and Mary. 'When the Virgin Mary conceived the Child Jesus....He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is his Father? He is the first of the human family' (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, pp. 50-51).
The Bible says, "(1)In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (14)And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...." (John 1:1,14) "(34)Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (35)And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:" (Luke 1:34-35).
5. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT THE TRUE CHURCH CEASED TO EXIST UNTIL IT WAS RESTORED TO JOSEPH SMITH.
The church (LDS) was restored April 6, 1830 by Joseph Smith (Doc. & Cov., 20:1).
Jesus Christ said, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:11) "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone;" (Ephesians 2:20). See also Ephesians 3:21 "glory in the church...all ages...without end"
6. MORMONISM TEACHES ANOTHER (PERVERTED) GOSPEL THAN THAT OF THE BIBLE.
The gospel to Mormonism is: 'Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, Morality, Loyalty, Tithing, Word of Wisdom, Duty Celestial Marriage (for eternity)' (LDS chart of FREE AGENCY and Articles of Faith, No. 4).
The Bible says, "(1)Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel...that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4)And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (I Corinthians 15:1,3-4). "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)
7. MORMONISM TEACHES SALVATION FOR THE DEAD BY PROXY WATER BAPTISM.
This doctrine is based on one misunderstood Scripture: "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?" (I Corinthians 15:29).
Paul did not practice baptism for the dead. He excluded himself by using the pronoun "they" rather than 'we' or 'ye'. He is asking a question rather than making a statement. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27).
8. MORMONISM TEACHES GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH FOR THE DEAD.
'Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worth of all acceptation' (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 128:24).
The Bible says, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies...." (I Timothy 1:4) "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies...." (Titus 3:9)
9. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT THERE ARE MODERN DAY PROPHETS AND MODERN DAY REVELATIONS FROM GOD.
Mormonism claims that Joseph Smith received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist. The Melchizedek Priesthood and Apostleship was restored by Peter, James and John shortly afterwards in 1829 (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 13).
The Bible says, "(1)God, ..., (2)Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:1-2). The test of a prophet is given in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
"(20)But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (21)And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? (22)When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
10. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT SALVATION DEPENDS UPON GOOD WORKS AND ACCEPTANCE OF JOSEPH SMITH.
'No man who rejects the testimony of Joseph Smith can enter the kingdom of God' (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pg. 190). 'Men have work to do if they would obtain salvation' (Doctrines of Salvation. vol. 3, pg 91).
The Bible teaches that salvation is provided by Lord Jesus Christ alone, "...for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10- 12) "(8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) See also John 14:6
CONCLUSION:
-- When all the evidence is considered, the Mormon claim to be the 'restoration' of Jesus Christ's church falls to the ground.
-- We have taken up the challenge of Brigham Young who said, 'Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.'
-- Orson Pratt echoed the same sentiment, 'Convince us of our errors of Doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical argument, or by the Word of God and we will ever be grateful for the information and you will ever have the pleasing reflections that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings.'
-- When Mormonism is weighed in the balances, it is found much wanting.