| The following was supplied to me after visiting my church by:
Richard D. Baer, president of "EX-MORMONS AND CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE"
P.O. Box 530
Orangevale, CA. 95662
It should be noted that Mr. Baer was an ex-Temple Mormon.
Terminology Differences
----------------------
1. Pre-existence
LDS-teach that everyone pre-existed, we all exist eternally.
KJV-Only Christ pre-existed, not man. John 8:58, Colossians 1:17)
We didn't have a spiritual existence prior to earth.
I Corinthians 15:46.
2. Fall
LDS-teach it brought mortality and physical death, not fallen nature,
believe Adam was given 2 conflicting commandments and was supposed
to fall.
KJV-God tempts no one, James 1:13-14. Man is basically sinful,
Romans 8:5-8, I Corinthians 2:14.
3. Sin
LDS-specific acts, not man's basic nature.
KJV-We are in spiritual rebellion until conversion, Ephesians
2:3,Romans 5:6. We do not just commit sins, we are basically
sinful, Matthew 1:21.
4. Repentance
LDS-Repent of individual acts, not sinful nature.
KJV-Must repent of basic rebellion, Jeremiah 17:9,Luke 5:32
5. Atonement-Salvation by Grace
LDS-believe Christ's death brought release from grave and universal
resurrection; Salvation by grace is universal resurrection, beyond
this man must earn his place in heaven.
KJV-Salvation is not universal but based on belief of each individual,
Romans 1:16, Hebrews 9:29, Ephesians 2:8-9.
6. Redeemed
LDS-from mortal death only,not sinful rebellion or spiritual
death.
KJV-Christ redeems from more than mortal death, redeems us
from spiritual death, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1.
7. Gospel
LDS-Mormon Church system and doctrines.
KJV-Message of Christ's death and resurrection as atonement
for our sins, I Corinthians 15:1-4, Galatians 1:8.
8. Born Again
LDS-Baptism into LDS Church.
KJV-We are spiritually dead until our spiritual rebirth, I
Peter 1:23, II Corinthians 5:17.
9. True Church
LDS-Only Mormon Church, true church taken from earth until
Joseph Smith restored it.
KJV-As a born-again Christian we are part of God's Church, I
Corinthians 12:12-14, Matthew 18:19-20, Matthew 16:18.
10. Authority-Priesthood
LDS-believe only LDS have authority to baptize, ordain, etc.;
Have 2 part system of priesthood, Melchizedek and Aaronic.
KJV-Christ brought end to Aaronic priesthood and is only High
Priest after manner of Melchizedek, Hebrews 5:9, II
Timothy 2:2.
11. Baptism
LDS-Must be performed by LDS priesthood.
KJV-Emphasis is on Believer-not priesthood authority, Mark 16:
15-16.
12. Sons of God
LDS-We are all literal spirit children of God.
KJV-We become a child of God at conversion, John 1:12.
13. Eternal Life
LDS-Exaltation in Celestial Kingdom; ability to bear children
in heaven; must have a Temple marriage.
KJV-Not limited to certain ones in heaven; no mention of
parenthood or temple marriage but is given to all Christians.
14. Immortatlity
LDS-Universal gift; ability to live forever but not Eternal
Life.
KJV-Makes no distinction between immortality and eternal life,
II Timothy 1:10.
15. Heaven
LDS-Divided into 3 kingdoms, Celestial, Terrestrial and
Telestial, place for almost everyone. Misuse I
Corinthians 15:40-41.
KJV-Only mentions 2 conditions, everlasting punishment or life
eternal.
16. Kingdom of God
LDS-Means Celestial Kingdom; only those in Celestial Kingdom
are in God's presence. Those in Terrestial or Telestial aren't in
presence of Father.
KJV-All redeemed will be in God's presence, Revelations 21:1-3.
All believers are part of Kingdom, Matthew 13:41-43.
17. Hell
LDS-Hell as an institution is eternal, inmates come and go as
in jail; don't spend eternity there, stay until one has paid debt
to God.
KJV-No mention of people getting out of Hell, Revelations 21:8, Matthew
13:24-43 and 47-50; Luke 16:26.
18. Godhead
LDS-Father God is a resurrected man with physical body, Christ is a
separate resurrected man with physical body, Holy Ghost is a
separate man with a spiritual body, 3 totally separate Gods.
KJV-God not a man, Numbers 23:19. Only one God, Isaiah 43:10-11,
44:6, 45:21-22. Father is Spirit and Invisible, John 4:24,
I Timothy 1:17.
19. Holy Ghost
LDS-Is a separate God from Father and Son, different from Holy Spirit,
Holy Ghost is a person; Holy Spirit is influence from Father and
not personal.
KJV-Same Greek word used for Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit, I Corinthians
3:16 and 6:19.
20. Virgin Birth
LDS-believe God, as a resurrected, physical man, is literal Father of
Jesus, same manner in which men are conceived on earth. Believe
Matthew 1:18 in error.
KJV-says Mary was "with child of the Holy Ghost" Matthew 1:18.
|
| I have thoroughly enjoyed my many Mormon friends. It is so refreshing to be
around people who will stand up for their convictions. So, it is not with
malice but with deep love and respect that I point out a few of the numerous
scientific problems in the Book of Mormon.
1. Language Problems
--------------------
I Nephi 1:2 and Mosiah 1:4 assert that the native language of the Hebrews
between 600 B.C. and 91 B.C. was Egyptian. Mormon 9:32 differs in saying that
it was Reformed Egyptian around 400 AD. However, it is well established that in
600 B.C. the Hebrews spoke Hebrew. As a result of the Babylonian captivity
(560 B.C. - 538 B.C.) Hebrew was reduced to the language of the scribes, priests
and rabbis. Aramaic became the language of the Hebrews. Then in 70 AD Titus
forced the Hebrews out of Palestine, and they acquired the languages of the
nations to which they were scattered. The Hebrews had not spoken Egyptian
since Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt many centuries earlier.
In consulting with professors of Semitic languages at the University of
California and elsewhere I could find no evidence of the existence of "Reformed
Egyptian", nor for the claim that the following words are Egyptian or Semitic
at all: Shazer (I Nephi 16:13,14), Irreantum (I Nephi 17:5), deseret (for "bee"
in Ether 2:3), Liahona (Alma 37:44), or the numerous names that are unique to
the Book of Mormon.
2. Geographical Problems*
------------------------
I Nephi 17:5 is an interesting description of Arabia which is "called Bountiful,
because of its much fruit and also wild honey." Arabia is bountiful in sunshine,
petroleum, sand, heat and fresh air, but certainly no in "much fruit and also
wild honey," nor has it been since Pleistocene times.
I Nephi 18:1 indicates that the Jews made a ship from the ample timber of
Arabia. The same objections above applies here also.
I Nephi 2:6-9 speaks of an abundant Arabian river named Laman that flows
continually into the Red Sea. There has been no river whatever in Arabia since
the Pleistocene.
I Nephi 17:26-27 speaks of the crossing of the Red Sea and the drowning of the
Egyptians. Any good Bible dictionary will point out that the KJV translators
did not know their geography. The Israelites crossed the Reed or Marsh Sea,
not the Red Sea. Yet, Mormons insist that while the Bible may have errors of
translation, there are no such errors of translation for the Book of Mormon.
Amazingly, the numerous and detailed descriptions of North America cannot be
correlated with any distinct geographic features such as the Great Lakes,
Gulf of Mexico, Rockies, Niagara Falls, Appalachians or any rivers.
3. Botanical Problems
---------------------
According to the Book of Mormon, God led Nephi and other faithful Jews to leave
the "land of Jerusalem" (sic) to go to the Promised Land of North America. We
are faced at once with some serious botanical problems, for in I Nephi 18:24
(591 B.C.) we read that upon arrival the Jews planted the numerous seeds that
they had brought, and that the seeds "did grow exceedingly, wherefore, we were
blessed in abundance." As is well known, the dominant crops of the Near East
were grapes, olives, wheat, barley, figs, dates, flax, onions, leeks, garlic,
certain kinds of beans, pomegranates, sycamore figs, certain melons, various
oranges, lemons and peaches. Crops from the Americas such as potatoes,
tobacco, blueberries, cranberries, eggplants and maize (or what we Americans
call "corn"), were unknown in the Old World until modern times.
There is no evidence whatever that the Near Eastern crops ever "did grow
exceedingly...in abundance" until modern Europeans brought them to the Americas.
Admittedly, while modern European colonists did find grapes in the Americas,
they are distinct from the Old World species.
Other botanical problems are encountered when III Nephi 18:18 speaks of wheat in
the Americas in 34 AD. I Nephi 13:7, Alma 1:29 and 4:6, Helaman 6:13, and Ether
10:24 speak of linen (cloth made from flax). Barley is mentioned in Mosiah
9:9; figs in III Nephi 14:16, and olives in Jacob 5, I Nephi 17:14, 15:7,12,16.
None of these existed here at that time. "Neas" and "sheum" are mentioned in
Mosiah 9:9 as two food plants that were prominent, and grew in abundance. Yet,
if they were so prominent and important, why are there no references to them in
Old World literature, and why have they not survived?
Plant grafting it mentioned in I Nephi 15:16 and Jacob 5, yet there is no
evidence that Indians practiced this in 600 B.C. to 421 AD. Pruning is mentioned
in II Nephi 15:6, and faces a similar problem. To describe seed and plant
growth as "swelling" (Alma 32:28-34 and 33:23) is naive and grossly inaccurate.
It reflects the error of preformationism.
4. Zoological Problems
----------------------
Contrary to what I Nephi 18:25 asserts, North America had no cows, oxen,
asses, horses or goats "for the use of man" between 600 B.C. and the time
European colonists brought them.
II Nephi 21:6-8 plagiarize the KJV of Isaiah 11:6-8 and applies it to North
America. (See also II Nephi 30:12-14) But North America had no sheep, lions,
leopards or the 2 snakes (asps and cockatrices) at that time.
Ether 2:2-3 and 5:4 explain that Jared and his family captured the birds,
fish and bees and gathered seeds with which they populated North America.
But American birds and fish are distinctly different from Old World species.
Honey bees were first introduced by Europeans. Ether 6:1 claims that Jared
and his small family kept alive for 344 days in the aquaria all of the species
of fish that now inhabit the Americas.
Ether 9:18,19 contains several problems. First, it lists domestic cattle, oxen
and cows as separate species! Second, these did not exist in the Americas at
that time. Third, domestic swine did not exist here then. Fourth, Jews would
certainly not relish swine as "useful to man"! Fifth, horses, asses and
elephants did not exist in the Americas at that time. Prehistoric forms became
extinct much earlier, and were not "useful to man". Sixth, "cureloms" and
"cumoms" are not identified by Mormon scholars. Yet, it would be most unlikely
for such supposedly useful and common domestic animals to go extinct.
There are some serious problems in the description of the behavior related to
poisonous snakes, etc. in Ether 9:30-34. First, the notion that snakes
increase as a drought increases is contradicted by the fact that reptiles are
particularly sensitive to heat and lack of water, and would die off faster than
other animals. Second, even with the large population of modern North America,
only about 20 people die yearly by snake bite. It is certainly not realistic
for Ether to claim that numerous people and animals were exterminated by
snakes. Third, it is totally unlike sheep for all of them in the country to
flee in one direction. Fourth, it would not be realistic for the sheep to be
driven to the south by poisonous shakes as there are much fewer snakes in the
north. Fifth, snakes never cooperate with each other in driving animals in
any direction. Sixth, it would be impossible for people to have eaten in such
few days the countless animals that had been killed by snakes. Seventh, it is
forbidden to Jews to eat animals that have died like that. Eighth, Ether 10:21,
etc. tells us that the land was densely covered with people, while Ether 10:19
says that "the land was covered with animals of the forests". Ether 10:12
speaks of raising much grain. All of this simply does not square with the
idea of an epidemic of poisonous snakes. People, farming and numerous predatory
animals will not allow snakes to become numerous.
Satyrs (II Nephi 22:21) and dragons (II Nephi 22:22; 8:9; and 23:22) are
mentioned as literal creatures, not figurative. Chickens (III Nephi 10:4-6)
and dogs (Alma 16:10, Mosiah 12:2 and III Nephi 7:8) were nonexistent
here at that time. In III Nephi 20:16 and 21:12 lions are described as
"beasts of the forests." Contrary to popular opinion and the Book of Mormon,
lions do not live in forests or jungles. They live in savannahs (few scattered
trees). And, lions never inhabited the Americas.
Silk is erroneously mentioned as being produced in the Americas at that time
(I Nephi 13:7, Alma 4:6 and Ether 9:17 and 10:24). But silkworm moths had not
yet been introduced from Asia. Clothes moths are mentioned in III Nephi 13:19,
20 and 27:32, yet there were no woolen garments for moths to attack as sheep had
not yet been introduced. Needless to say, clothes moths had not yet been
introduced to North America.
II Nephi 17:15 lists 2 foods at that time, butter and honey. But Indians had
no milk animals or honey bees. Candles are made either of bees' wax, beef
tallow or paraffin so that a reference to candles in III Nephi 8:21 is
unacceptable.
5. Microbiological Problems
---------------------------
Alma 46:40 specifically attributes "the cause of disease to ...the nature of the
climate," instead of to filth, poor diet, or microorganisms. Alma 16:1 tells us
that the stench of those killed in one battle was so strong that "the people did
not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years," "and their lands
remained desolate." Action of bacteria, fungi, worms, insects, vultures, etc.,
would require no more than a few weeks at the very most to dispose of these
carcasses and their odors - not "many years"!
6. Physiological Problems**
-------------------------
Ether 14:2 specifically says that "every man kept the hilt of the sword in his
right hand," and yet a distinct minority of Jews and Indians is left-handed.
Alma 57:25 asserts that all in an army of 2,060 received many wounds, yet none
died.
The implied reproduction rate in the Book of Mormon is astronomical. The story
starts in 600 B.C. and extends to 421 A.D. It involves a mere handful of people
who supposedly travel from "the land of Jerusalem" (sic) to the Promised Land of
America. Every four or five years or so there are devastating wars that kill
many thousands of people (Alma 28:2, etc.), or as Ether 15:2 says, "nearly two
millions of mighty men" in addition to their wives and children. For this to be
so it would be necessary for each couple to have scores of children, and for
them to reach maturity in three or so years throughout the supposed period
between 600 B.C. and 421 A.D.
The description of the resurrection body in Alma 40:23 is astounding to say the
least. It says that nothing shall be lost, not even a hair. In light of the
fact that we shed a few score body and head hairs every week, and we
"de-commission" countless blood, skin, and other cells weekly it is unrealistic
to assert that all of these lost parts will be returned to us.
7. Physical and Chemical Problems
---------------------------------
Ether 2:20 says that the Lord instructed Jared to make a hole in the top and one
"in the bottom" of each barge! What was the hole "in the bottom" for - to let
water and wastes out? Ether 2:23 explains that if windows were put in the
barges, the barges would be dashed to pieces (sic).
In describing Christ's crucifixion, III Nephi 8:20-23 says that the darkness was
so great for three days (sic) that the candles and torches could not give off
light! Why not?
Alma 24:16 speaks of burying swords in the earth to keep them bright. On the
contrary this would speed their rusting.
8. Technological Problems
-------------------------
It is erroneous for a book supposedly written in North America at that time to
mention bellows (I Nephi 17:11), fine steel bow (I Nephi 16:18), swords (II
Nephi 1:18, etc.), scimitars (Alma 2:12), sackcloth (II Nephi 13:24), carts (II
Nephi 15:18,28), chariots (Alma 18:12, 20:6, III Nephi 21:14), numerous large
buildings (Ether 10:5, etc.), many highways (Helaman 14:24), cement (Helaman
3:7,9,11), forts (Alma 48:8,9, 51:27, etc.), javelin (Alma 51:34), bushel (III
Nephi 12:15), breastplates (Mosiah 8:10 and Alma 46:13), headplate and armor for
the loins (Alma 46:13), compass (Alma 37:38,44, etc.), spindles and spinning
(Alma 37:40, Helaman 6:13), sickles, yoke (I Nephi 13:5), strong cords (Alma
26:29), trumpet (III Nephi 13:2), street corners (III Nephi 13:5), chains (II
Nephi 1:13, 28:19, etc.), hoe (Ether 10:25), harp (II Nephi 15:12), viol (II
Nephi 15:12), tabret (II Nephi 15:12), plow (Ether 10:25), fuller's soap (III
Nephi 24:2), barns (III Nephi 13:26), and candles (III Nephi 8:21).
9. Anthropological Problems
---------------------------
The Book of Mormon was supposedly written during the period in question, but
there is no evidence that Indians had anything other than simplistic pictorial
writing at that time. They wrote no books. It is not appropriate to find
references to many official records (Helaman 3:15), jot and tittle (III Nephi
12:18), scroll (Mormon 5:23, 9:2), and Alpha and Omega (III Nephi 9:18).
Other cultural problems include references to mammon (III Nephi 13:24), lawyers
and judges (Alma 10:14-15 and III Nephi 6:1), acre (II Nephi 15:10),
"south-southeast direction" (I Nephi 16:13), synagogues (III Nephi 24:2),
Gentiles (I Nephi 13:19), rending of clothes, wearing sackcloth, salt trodden
under foot, etc.
The Book of Mormon consistently and frequently refers to the "heart" in the
sense of soul, yet Indians varied in their terminology from lungs, kidneys,
liver, intestines, to heart.
II Nephi 26:33 divides humanity into "black and white" and "Jew and Gentile" -
most unrealistic for the Americans at that time.
The Book of Mormon teaches that Indians originated from Jewish settlers in the
Americas that wandered away from the Lord. I Nephi 12:11 says that as the Jews
wandered away in unbelief, "they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy
people." I Nephi 13:15 praises future Americans as being "white, and exceeding
fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain." But
Palestinian Jews did not have pale skin like the British. II Nephi 5:21, Jacob
3:3-9, and Mormon 5:15-17 say that God cursed the Indians with a dark skin. II
Nephi 5:23 and Alma 3:6-10 say that anyone who marries an Indian "shall be
cursed with the same cursing." If this were true, why do people who are only
part Indian not look full Indian?
II Nephi 30:5-7 predicts that when Indians accept the Mormon Gospel, that they
will again become "a white and delightsome people." III Nephi 2:15 gives
supposed examples of this. II Nephi 13:24 says that punishment from sin shall
include "instead of well set hair, baldness," yet baldness is much more common
among Caucasians.
Instead of Semitic origin, Indians are distinctly Mongoloid, having straight and
black hair, brown eyes, high cheekbones, skin pigmentation, occasional
Mongoloid blue spot, certain blood traits, etc. Dark skin, instead of being a
curse, is a protection against skin cancer. And, Indians are not innately more
filthy, loathsome, or ugly than any other people.
10. Other Problems
-------------------
Numerous historical and archaeological problems exist. The first editions of
the Book of Mormon contained numerous grammatical and spelling errors. There
are many contradictions between the Book of Mormon and other Mormon writings.
And, the Book of Mormon contradicts the Bible in many places. Lack of space
prohibits a listing of examples of the above problems.
Conclusion
----------
It is hoped that this paper will help my Mormon friends and other seekers after
truth for as Moroni 10:4 well says:
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask
God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true,
and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in
Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy
Ghost."
* II Nephi 5:15,16 is self-contradictory about the presence of minerals.
** Ether 15:30-31 says that the beheaded Shiz raised up and struggled for
breath.
Thomas D.S. Key, Sc.D., Ed.D. (Biology), Th.D.
1613 Forrest Ln.
Bainbridge, Georgia 31717
Journal of The American Scientific Affiliation, XXXVII, June 1985
|
| Doctrine of God
---------------
Mormonism - God the Father has a flesh and bones body (Doctrine & Covenants,
130.22).
Bible - God the Father is a Spirit (John 4:24, Luke 24:39, supports
Alma 18:26-28).
Mormonsim - God the Father is simply a man who achieved godhood (History of the
Church, v6, p. 305).
Bible - God the Father has always been God (Psalms 90:2, Hosea 11:9, Numbers
23:19, Romans 1:22-23, Deuteronomy 4:35, supports Mormon 9:9-11,19,
Moroni 8:18, II Nephi 27:23, Alma 18:26-28, Alma 11:28-29).
Mormonsim - God Himself is ever progressing upward in knowledge, wisdom, and
power (Journal of Discourses, v1, p. 93, v6, p. 120).
Bible - God already possesses eternal wisdom, power, and knowledge, and so never
changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Jeremiah 23:24, Isaiah 40:28,
supports Mormon 9:9-11,19, Moroni 8:18, II Nephi 27:23).
Mormonsim - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 distinct gods (Teachings of
the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370,372).
Bible - There is only one God, but 3 distinct persons in the Godhead
(Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 48:12-13,16, Matthew 3:16-17, supports
II Nephi 11:7, 26:12, 31:21, Mosiah 15:2-5, III Nephi 11:27,36).
Mormonsim - God the Father has Eternal Wives through whom spirit children have
been and continue to be born (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 516; The
Seer, Orson Pratt, p. 37, 158).
Bible - God has no wife and stands alone as God (Isaiah 46:9).
Mormonsim - Christ, before his earthly ministry, was the first spirit child born
to the Heavenly Father and Mother (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 278, 589).
Bible - Christ is the Eternal God, not the product of a conception (John 1:1-2).
Mormonsim - Satan (Lucifer) was originally the spirit brother of Christ (The
Gospel through the Ages, p. 15).
Bible - Satan was originally a created angel who led a rebellion against God in
heaven. Christ is Creator, Satan a created being (John 1:1-3,
Colossians 1:15-17, Ezekiel 28:11-19).
Mormonsim - God the Father in His glorified physical body had sexual intercourse
with the virgin Mary that resulted in the conception of the
physical Christ (Mormon Doctrine, p. 547, Journal of Discourses,
v1, p. 51, v4, p. 218).
Bible - The physical Christ was conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit in
the body of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25).
Mormonsim - Jesus was man's spiritual brother (the result of the Father's
intercourse with His Eternal Wife before the earth was formed) but
became a god, equal to the Father, after his death, ascension, and
exaltation (The Gospel through the Ages, 1958, p. 21).
Bible - Jesus Christ presented Himself to men as Eternal God during His earthly
ministry (John 5:18, 8:58, 10:30-33).
Doctrine of Man
---------------
Mormonsim - Each person's essence, his intelligence, has always existed and so
was never created. Man is as eternal as God Himself (Journal of
Discourses, X, p. 5, VI, p. 6, The Plan of Salvation (booklet)
p. 3, Doctrine & Covenants, 93.29).
Bible - All men are creation of God and had no prior existence before their
earthly life (Genesis 2:18-25, Job 38:1-7).
Mormonsim - Each person's spiritual body (which looks like his earthly body)
that clothed his intelligence in the pre-existent state was formed
by the sexual union of the Father and one of His spirit wives (The
Seer, Orson Pratt, p. 37).
Bible - Man did not pre-exist and the Father had no wife (see above and
Isaiah 46:9).
Mormonsim - Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden was a "fall upward" that was not
sinful, but rather necessary for the propagation of the human race
(Journal of Discourses, v13, p. 145, v10, p. 312, Pearl of Great
Price, Moses 5:10-12, Doctrines of Salvation, v1, pp. 114-115).
Bible - Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden caused spiritual and physical death
for all persons (Genesis 3:16-24, Romans 5:12-21).
Mormonsim - Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden "became a necessary, honorable act
in carrying out the plan of the Almighty" (Joseph Smith - Seeker
after Truth, p. 160).
Bible - Man's sin is not the result of the plan of God (James 1:13-17).
Mormonsim - Man has the potential of becoming God, just as Christ did; man is
king of kings and lord of lords in embryo (Times and Seasons, August
1, 1844, Journal of Discourses, v10, p. 223, History of the Church,
v6, p. 306, Doctrine & Covenants, 132.20).
Bible - God alone has been and always shall be God (Isaiah 43:10-11, 44:8,
46:9). Man has been punished because he thought he could make himself
God (Ezekiel 28:1-10).
Mormonsim - A baptized Mormon convert has his Gentile blood purged and replaced
by the blood of Abraham via the Holy Spirit. Thus he becomes the
actual offspring of Abraham (History of the Church, v3, p. 380,
Journal of Discourses, v2, p. 269).
Bible - True believers in Jesus Christ become Abraham's "offspring" in the sense
that they become heirs of the promises of God, as did Abraham
(Galatians 3:26-29).
Doctrine of Salvation
---------------------
Mormonsim - Christ's blood shed on the cross only provides for the universal
resurrection of all people and does not pay for personal sin
(Third Article of Faith, Journal of Discourses, v3, p. 247,
Mormon Doctrine, pp. 62, 669).
Bible - The blood of Christ was shed on the cross for the cleansing and
forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:14,22, I John 1:7).
Mormonsim - Christ's "blood" shed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44)
atones for most personal sin (Church News, October 9, 1962, p. 19).
Bible - Christ paid for sin in His body on the cross (I Peter 2:24).
Mormonsim - The gospel includes "all of the laws, principles, rites, ordinances,
acts, powers, authorities, and keys necessary to exalt men in the
highest heaven hereafter" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 331).
Bible - The biblical Gospel includes Christ dying for sins, his burial, and his
verified resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-8). The Gospel
does not include laws (Romans 3:19-24), or ordinances (Colossians
2:16-17), or works (Titus 3:5-7).
Mormonsim - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) restored
the true gospel to the earth through Joseph Smith, and the true
gospel is found only in it today (Mormon Doctrine, p. 334,
Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).
Bible - Christ promised that the true church would never disappear from the
earth (Matthew 16:18), and Paul warned that any gospel apart from the
Gospel of faith in Jesus Christ which he preached was not true
(Galatians 1:6-9, 3:22-24). Paul also wrote that the Body of Christ
consists of all believers in Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-13,27).
Mormonsim - Mormon "salvation" comes through a combination of faith, baptism in
the church, and works (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 669-70, Ensign,
November 1982, p. 61).
Bible - Biblical salvation comes by grace through personal faith in Christ as
Savior disregarding all works (Ephesians 2:4-9, supports II Nephi
10:24, 25:23). It simply consists of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior (John 1:12-13, I John 5:9-13). The Bible teaches that our
righteousness is found in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21), and that we
are saved through grace, love and mercy of God (Ephesians 2:4-9;
John 3:16). Our acceptance by God is based solely on our accepting His
Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). By accepting Jesus Christ, you too
can be born again into the family of God (John 3:3-6, Romans 8:16-17).
Do it now, for today is the day of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2).
Mormonsim - Eternal life (the power to attain godhood and have children in
heaven) can only be achieved through obedience to the Mormon
church and having one's marriage sealed in a Temple ceremony by
the Mormon priesthood (Journal of Discourses, v11, p. 221, 269,
Mormon Doctrine, p. 411).
Bible - Eternal life is entering into an eternal knowledge of and fellowship
with God and is achieved by personal faith in Christ as Savior
(Isaiah 53:6, John 17:3, Romans 3:23, 5:21, 6:23, 8:16-17, 10:9-10,
I John 5:9-13, John 1:12-13, 3:3-6,16, II Corinthians 5:21, 6:2,
Acts 4:12).
Mormonism - Ask you to pray about the Book of Mormon to determine its
truthfulness, and rely on a "burning in their bosom."
Bible - We should not trust our changing hearts (Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 14:12),
but base our spiritual decisions on the secure and established Word of
God (Isaiah 40:8, Acts 17:11).
"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on
earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by
abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." - Joseph Smith, Documentary
History of the Church, vol. IV, p. 461
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar." - Proverbs
30:5-6
|