The Maze of Mormonism

1. The Maze of Mormonism “Mormonism…must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called…or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen.” - Walter Martin

2. Disclaimer • There is so much that can be shared when it comes to the teachings of the Mormon Church. PLEASE DO NOT expect to get all your answers from this presentation. If anything, this is a reader’s digest condensation of the history and the theology of the Mormon Church. • Tips on how to witness to Mormons will be included too.

3. Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV) • “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ…”

4. Galatians 1:6-9 (cont.) • “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

5. Life of Joseph Smith • Born in 1805 • Was confused at the number of different denominations; wanted to know which was the right one • James 1:5 – “ask God for wisdom.” From this verse he preceded to pray in a small grove for which denomination to choose. • In 1820, while praying in a grove, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared, and told him. This is what happened next:

6. Joseph’s Visions • “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join…I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt…” (POGP - Joseph Smith –History 1:18-19)

7. Joseph’s Visions • So according to Joseph Smith and his first vision: • All sects are wrong • All creeds of those sects were an abomination • All other professing Christians are corrupt. • That’s us included!

8. Josephs’ Visions • 3 years later Joseph receives another vision from the angel Moroni as to where the Golden Tablets are found, as well as the Urim and Thummin are. • These Golden Tablets supposedly tell the story of what happened to a group of Israelites who sailed to America after the Tower of Babel. They also chronicle the history of the Jaredites, the Nephites, and even the Lamanites

9. Life of Joseph Smith (cont.) • 1827, Joseph Smith claims he found the Golden Tablets written in ancient Egyptian Hyeroglyphics. He began translating them into English. The result was the Book of Mormon. • Having established churches in various parts of the country, Joseph and his brother were arrested in a Carthage jail, where an angry mob broke into and shot them both.

10. Brigham and the Mormons • Brigham Young inherited the role as leader/prophet of the Mormon church and under him the Mormons founded and established the state of Utah. • Under Brigham and later prophets, the Mormons flourished. • Today, the Mormons still claim they have a head prophet who interprets Scripture for them.

11. What does the Bible say we do??? • We are told by Scripture to test what the Mormons have to say: • Jude 3 • 1 Peter 3:15

12. What do the Mormons say we do ??? • Clearly they give us permission to test their teachings! • “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, p.46, 1873). • “Convince us of our error in doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logic, and by the Word of God, and we will forever be grateful to you.” (Orson Pratt, The Seer)

13. Holy Books • The Bible • (“…insofar as it is correctly translated”) • The Book of Mormon • The Pearl of Great Price (POGP) • Doctrine and Covenants (D&C)

14. What They Believe • While there is so much to learn about when it comes to the doctrine of the Mormons, or “Latter-Day Saints,” this powerpoint will primarily focus on three tennants of their beliefs: • Who they think God is. • Who they think Jesus is. • What do they think about salvation.

15. The Mormon God • “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!....I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see...he was once a man like us...and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves..." (Mormon founder Joseph Smith, History of the Church vol. 6, April 7,1844, pp. 345-346).”

16. The Mormon God (cont.) • He [God] is our Father--the Father of our spirits, and was once a man in mortal flesh as we are, and is now an exalted being (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, page 333). • As man is, God once was, as God is, man may become (Fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow, Gospel Through the Ages pg.104). • Man and God are of the same race (Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 465-466)

17. The Mormon God (cont.) • So according to the Mormon Church, God was a man and is now an exalted man. It is also possible for Man to become gods themselves! • From the get-go we have a god that is not so much different from us, the possibility of becoming gods, which means a plurality of gods.

18. The Biblical God • What does the Bible say about God? • “I am God, and not a man” (Hosea 11:9) • “God is not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19 ) • "God is Spirit" (John 4:24) • For I am the LORD, I change not (Malachi 3:6) • Declares the LORD...Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me (Isaiah 43:10).

19. The Biblical God • Common Argument from Mormons: “The Bible says he has a body! There are verses that say he has a face, ears, nose, hands, etc.” • And the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33:11) • [God continuing to talk to Moses] “And I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. (33:23)

20. The Biblical God • Biblical Answer: The Bible uses both literal and figurative language. The previous verses employed a type of figurative language called anthropomorphic language, or attributing human-like qualities to God. • Example: Psalm 91:4 • “He will cover you with his feathers,    and under his wings you will find refuge…” • Conclusion: If taken literal, that means God is a chicken!!! • NONSENSE!

21. The Mormon Jesus • “It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (LDS Seventy member Bernard P. Brockbank, The Ensign, May 1977, p. 26). • “He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost” (Mormon President Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol.1, pp. 50-51).

22. The Mormon Jesus • The official Mormon website tells us: “We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, "Whom shall I send?" (Abraham 3:27). Two of our brothers offered to help. Our oldest brother, Jesus Christ, who was then called Jehovah, said, "Here am I, send me" (Abraham 3:27). Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, "Behold, here am I, send me" (lds.org). • Jesus is the brother of Lucifer

23. The Biblical Jesus • Burning Question to ask any Mormon: Is Jesus God? • The Mormon would say, Of course! • However, rephrase your question, “Is Jesus the only God of the only universe?” • You should see a difference in how they respond

24. The Biblical Jesus • In the end, Jesus is the Savior of this world, but in Mormonism this isn’t the only world and Jesus isn’t the only Savior. There are other worlds with other Saviors. Jesus is one god among a pantheon of gods. • This is polytheism (a belief in many gods).

25. The Biblical Jesus • Key passages to look up about the deity of Christ: • John 1 • Colossians 1 • Hebrews 1 • Philippians 2

26. The Mormon Salvation • When we say salvation, we are referring to the complete forgiveness of sin from Jesus’ sacrifice for us upon the cross. We deserved Hell, but Christ paid the price for us and now we can have eternal life. • For the Mormons, there are two types of salvation: • General Salvation: Through Christ’s death, we have the ability to work our way into heaven. • Specific Salvation: Only good, obedient Mormons and enter what is called the Celestial Kingdom

27. The Mormon Salvation • To understand Mormon salvation(s), you must understand their idea of the 3 levels of Heaven: • Telestial • Open to all and everyone. There is no such thing as Hell because God is a loving God. • Terrestrial • Open to only good, moral, religious people (it doesn’t matter the religion) • Celestial • Open to only good, obedient Mormon followers. This is the realm they go to live as gods and goddesses of their own planets.

28. The Mormon Salvation • Key Question: “Are we saved by grace through faith?” The Mormon would say yes! • When Jesus died upon the cross, the opened the “door” to the Telestial Kingdom. His sacrifice also provided for us an opportunity to work our way up the Heavenly Ladder.

29. The Mormon Salvation • New Key Question: “Can we get to the Celestial Kingdom by grace through faith?” The Mormon would say ‘NO.’ • In the end, the Mormons believe in a works-based salvation.

30. Biblical Salvation • What does it mean to be saved by grace through faith? • What does “grace” mean? • Answer: Romans 11:5-7: “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” • Grace is “unmerited favor.”

31. Biblical Salvation • Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” • In short, salvation wasn’t just a one time thing that happened, but that once you were saved, the effects of that event are ongoing.

32. Polygamy and Mormons • Since both Christians and non-Christians commonly associate Mormons with polygamy, it may be necessary to touch on this subject a little bit. • “For behold, I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant [polygamy]; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my [Lord's] glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:4).

33. Polygamy and Mormons • So polygamy is the “everlasting covenant” between God and the Mormons. What happens next? • The U.S. government at one time threatened to confiscate all of Mormon property and to send them all to Mexico.

34. Polygamy and Mormons • Polygamous marriages eventually stopped in 1904 when church president Joseph F. Smith disavowed polygamy before Congress and issued a "Second Manifesto" calling for all plural marriages in the church to cease. • There are still factions of Mormons who still hold to polygamy, but your typical Mormon friend or coworkers who attends the Mormon church in town more than likely does not hold to polygamy.

35. 2 “Don’t”s with Mormons • Common Christian mistakes in talking with Mormons: • 1st Don’t: Do NOT assume the Mormon you are talking to still practices polygamy. If you do, the Mormon will go on the defensive…and rightly so! • They have been trained to counter any “polygamy statements” you might throw out at them.

36. 2 “Don’t”s with Mormons • 2nd Don’t: Do not bash Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, or any of their prophets. It is NOT helpful. • Both Joseph and Brigham did ungodly things in their lifetime, but don’t point out the “sins” of their founders. Let the Mormon be responsible for his/her own sin and mistakes. • Do not attack their character, but look at their theology and teachings.

37. Witnessing to Mormons • Keep in mind, the Mormons hold to a works-based salvation. • That being said, what must we make clear to them when witnessing to them? • Answer: that our good works mean nothing to God. • “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment…” (Isaiah 64:6)

38. Witnessing to Mormons • What do you think a Mormon’s concept is of a good person? • Their answer: They would say that a good person would be a morally, religious person • Do all good people go to heaven? • Their answer: yes! • Do all good people go to the Celestial Kingdom? (refer back to slides #27-29) • Their answer: No…

39. Witnessing to Mormons • Sometimes it’s appropriate to show the Mormon the inconsistencies/difficulties of abiding by “their Gospel.” It would be helpful to 1) have your own copy of the Book of Mormon, and 2) to note the following Book of Mormon references down. • Moroni 10:32 • 2 Nephi 25:23

40. Moroni 10:32 • “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace is sufficient for you…” (Moroni 10:32).

41. Moroni 10:32 • Questions to ask the Mormon: • How do you receive God’s grace? • What if it were possible to “deny yourself of all ungodliness/sin?” • Answer: You wouldn’t need Jesus Christ. • Is it possible to “stop sinning?”

42. Moroni 10:32 • Ask the Mormon, “Have you denied yourself of all ungodliness yet?” • They may say something along the lines of “I’m working on it.” • Then ask: “Does this verse look like a process or a one-time command?” • Obvious answer: It is a command! “If…then…” • Biblical Answer: God gives grace to those who sin!

43. Moroni 10:32 • You can even ask, “Do you know of anyone (besides Christ) who doesn’t sin, or at one point stopped sinning? • Biblical Answer: It is impossible to stop sinning

44. Moroni 10:32 • Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” • 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” • Even if you were able to “stop sinning,” you have still sinned before! From the moment you first sinned against God you stood condemned as a sinner and still need a Savior!

45. 2 Nephi 25:23 • "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.“ (2 Nephi 25:23) • So how are you “saved”? • If grace is given to us “after all that we can do,” what does that make “grace?”

46. 2 Nephi 25:23 • God doesn’t reward us with salvation from what we’ve earned up to a certain point. Otherwise, that wouldn’t be “grace.” Grace was given to us despite what we’ve “earned” or “done with our lives.” That is the beauty about grace!

47. 2 Nephi 25:23 • The Mormon may ask you, “Well does that mean I can live however I want?” • This is a good sign! This means the Mormon is trying to comprehend “grace.” • Answer: No, the Bible does not say that • “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)

48. 2 Nephi 25:23 • Ask the Mormon, “Have you done all that you can do yet?” You can even give examples of… • Time spent in prayer • Time spent in reading the Bible • Time spent witnessing to others • Time spent in…etc. etc. etc. • They may answer, “I’m trying.” • Conclusion: If you were to die today, you wouldn’t be saved, according to Mormon teachings.

49. 2 Nephi 25:23 • Works-based theology meets the 10 Commandments! • Ask them whether they’ve done all that they can do and whether they’ve kept God’s law. • Then introduce them to the 10 Commandments. After that, transition into the Gospel and define true grace for them. • The grim reality is that despite all that we’ve done, we can never be perfect and we need a Savior!

50. Evangelism with the Bible • Warning: When you use the Bible to witness to Mormons, understand they do not hold to inerrancy of the Bible just like we do. • Inerrancy: the Bible is true in whatever it says and 100% trustworthy • They may say, “Well, you really cannot trust the Bible, it’s been mistranslated over the years and that’s why we have a Prophet to interpret Scripture for us. It just has too many contradictions.”