OFFICIAL NAME: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormons)
FOUNDER: Joseph Smith Jr., on April 6, 1830 CURRENT LEADER: Gordon B.
Hinckley (b. 1910)
HEADQUARTERS: Salt Lake City, Utah
MEMBERSHIP (1998): Worldwide: 10.3 million in 28,670 wards and branches
in 162 countries; United States: 5.1 million in all 50 states and D.C.;
Canada: 152,000.
MISSIONARIES (1998): 58,700
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph
F. Smith Jr. (1805–1844). Smith claimed to have had a visitation
from God in 1820 in which God directed him to establish the true church.
Consequently he organized the Mormon Church on April 6, 1830, with six
original members. Beginning with a few hundred followers the church
moved to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois before Smith’s death at
the hands of a mob at the Carthage, Ill., jail. Smith had been arrested
for encouraging the destruction of the Expositor, a Nauvoo, Ill., newspaper.
After Smith’s death, Brigham Young was affirmed as president of
the church by a majority of the church’s leaders and led several
thousand followers to Utah where they established Salt Lake City in
1847. Joseph Smith’s widow, Emma, resided in Independence, Mo.
Those who affirmed her son, Joseph Smith, as the true successor of his
father and as prophet of the church helped found the Reorganized Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now headquartered in Independence,
Mo., in 1852.
MAJOR BELIEFS OF MORMONS
ONE TRUE CHURCH:
The Mormon church claims to be the only true church. In God’s
supposed revelation to Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ told him to join no
other church for "they were all wrong . . . their creeds were an
abomination . . . those professors [members] were all corrupt"
(The Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History —1:19). Mormons
teach that after the New Testament all churches became heretical and
no true saints existed until the "Church of the Latter-day Saints"
was organized, hence their name. Non-Mormons are thus called "Gentiles."
The new revelations given to Smith, the institution of the prophet and
apostles in the church, the restoration of the divine priesthoods, and
the temple ceremonies make the church authentic. True and full salvation
or exaltation is found only in the LDS Church. Biblical Response: The
true church of Jesus Christ has had an ongoing presence and witness
in the world since Pentecost. Jesus Christ promised that His church,
true baptized and regenerate believers, would not fail (Matt. 16:17–
18). The marks of a true church include faithfulness to the teaching
of the first apostles (Acts 2:42)—not the creation of new doctrines.
AUTHORITY OF THE PROPHET:
The president or prophet of the Church is thought to be the sole spokesman
and revelator of God. Joseph Smith was the initial prophet, but each
successive president holds that position. Through him God’s will
can be made known to the church. All revelations are made scripture
and no Mormon can attain godhood without accepting Joseph Smith as a
true prophet. The Mormon scriptures state that Latter-day Saints "shalt
give heed unto all his [the prophet’s] words andcommandments .
. . For his word ye shall receive as if from mine [God’s] own
mouth" (Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–5).
Biblical Response: Old and New Testament prophets were God’s
spokesmen. Their words were always consistent with the Bible and pointed
to God’s Son, Jesus Christ. A test of genuineness for prophets
was that any prediction they proclaimed would come true (Deut. 18:20–22).
For example, Joseph Smith predicted that the temple of the church would
be built in Independence, Mo., within his lifetime (Doctrine and Covenants
84:2–5). No temple has yet been built there. New Testament prophets
spoke, along with teachers, pastors, and evangelists, in evangelizing
with and edifying the church (Eph. 4:11–13).
MORMON SCRIPTURE:
Mormons accept four books as scripture and the word of God. The King
James Version of the Bible is one of them, but only "as far as
it is translated correctly" —seemingly allowing for possible
questions about its authority. Joseph Smith made over 600 corrections
to its text. Other "standard works" are the Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The Bible is missing
"plain and precious parts" according to the Book of Mormon
(1 Nephi 13:26) which the other three volumes complete. The Book of
Mormon has the "fullness of the gospel" and tells the story
of a supposed migration of Israelites in 600 B.C. to the American continent.
These Israelites subsequently lapsed into apostasy although their story
was preserved on golden plates written in Reformed Egyptian. Joseph
Smith, it is said, translated the plates by the "gift and power
of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3). Reformed Egyptian does
not exist as a language. The golden plates were returned to the angel
Moroni after they were transcribed and Moroni returned them to heaven.
The Book of Mormon does not contain explicit Mormon doctrine. Doctrine
and Covenants contains the revelations of the Mormon prophets—138
in number along with two "declarations." Here most of Mormon
doctrine can be found including the priesthood, baptism for the dead,
godhood, and polygamy. The Pearl of Great Price contains Smith’s
religious history, the Articles of Faith, the Book of Abraham, and the
Book of Moses. Biblical Response: The Bible explicitly warns against
adding to or detracting from its teaching (Rev. 22:18; Deut. 4:2). The
New Testament contains the inspired and totally accurate witness of
contemporary disciples and followers of Jesus. It alone claims to be
fully inspired of God and usable for the establishment of doctrine (2
Tim. 3:15–17; 2 Pet. 1:19–21).
ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPLES:
The first Mormon temple was constructed in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836.
Subsequently, a temple was constructed in Nauvoo, Ill., in 1846. Presently
there are at least 53 operating temples throughout the world including
the one finished in Salt Lake City in 1893. The purpose and function
of temples is for the practice of eternal ordinances including primarily
baptism for the dead, endowments, and celestial marriages. Baptism in
the Mormon church, for both the living and the dead, is essential for
the fullness of salvation. The dead often are baptized by proxy which
affords them after death the opportunity to become Mormons. Celestial
marriage for "time and eternity" is also a temple ordinance.
It is necessary for godhood and seals the marriage forever. Temples
form an essential part of Mormon salvation. Only Mormons in possession
of a "temple recommend" by their bishop may enter a temple.
Biblical Response: The Temple of the Old Testament was a place of symbolic
sacrifice forefiguring the sacrifice of Christ. Worship in the Jewish
temple in Jerusalem was a practice of early Jewish believers (Acts 2:46).
Otherwise there is no mention of any such practice in the New Testament.
Never was the Jewish temple used for baptism for the dead, marriage,
or other secret ceremonies. It was the place in the Old Testament where
the glory of God occasionally dwelt. Today the individual believer is
God’s dwelling place and not a physical building (1 Cor. 3:16).
GOD IS AN EXALTED MAN:
Elohim, the god of this universe, was previously a man in a prior existence.
As a result of having kept the requirements of Mormonism, he was exalted
to godhood and inherited his own universe. God is confined to a "body
of flesh and bones" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) and yet is
thought to be omniscient and omnipotent. He obviously cannot be omnipresent.
There are an nfinite number of gods with their own worlds—these
too were previously men. The Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, and "Heavenly
Father" comprise three separate and distinct gods. Heavenly Father
sires spiritual children in heaven destined for human life on earth.
All humans, as well as Jesus Christ and Lucifer, are god’s heavenly
children. (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; God, Jesus, and the Spirit
thus had beginnings.)
Biblical Response: God is Spirit and is not confined to a physical
body (John 4:24). Jesus Christ was incarnated through a miraculous and
non-physical conception through the Virgin Mary. He was fully God from
the beginning (John 1:1). Together with the person of the Holy Spirit
they form the triune (three-in-one) eternal God. JESUS IS GOD’S
"SON": Jesus was Heavenly Father’s firstborn spirit
child in heaven. He was begotten by God through Mary as in a "literal,
full and complete sense" in the same "sense in which he is
the son of Mary" (Bruce McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles
of Faith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 67). These two elements
of Jesus being literally God’s son form his uniqueness in Mormon
theology. In the Garden of Gethsemane as well as on the cross Jesus
atoned for Adam’s sin and guaranteed all humankind resurrection
and immortality. Jesus visited the Israelites or Indians of North America
after his resurrection and established the true church among them. We
are the spiritual, but literal, younger brothers and sisters of Christ.
Some Mormon documents claim that Jesus was married at Cana in Galilee
(Mark 2) and had children himself.
Biblical Response: Jesus is viewed as God, the Word or Son, eternally
existent with the Father and worthy of identity as God (John 1:1–14).
He was born of the Virgin Mary who had conceived him supernaturally
by the Holy Spirit. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the
sins of the world, and was raised from the dead. He will come again
and reign as Lord of lords.
HUMANS ARE GODS IN EMBRYO:
Every human being has the potential of becoming a god by keeping the
requirements of Mormonism. A well-known statement within Mormonism is,
"As man is god once was, as god is man may become." From a
prior spirit existence in heaven, humans may be born on earth in order
to exercise freedom to choose good or evil and to have a body for the
resurrection. Basically humans are good, but they will be punished for
their sin. But by keeping Mormon teaching and obeying the church and
the Prophet, after the resurrection worthy Mormon males may pass the
celestial guards, bring their wives with them, and achieve a status
similar to Elohim—the god of this world. The consequences of their
sin are erased by their allegiance to the tenets of Mormonism. In resurrection
faithful Mormons receive exaltation to godhood and will exercise dominion
over their world. Biblical Response: Human beings are God’s special
creation. There is no evidence from Scripture of preexistence, rather
God acknowledges that it was in the womb of our mothers that He formed
us (Isaiah 44:2). A sinful nature is part of humanity’s experience.
Liberation from the power and presence of sin is experienced as a result
of faith in Christ. At that point God’s image is begun to be remade
in every Christian. Although the believer is being transformed to Christlikeness,
the Bible does not teach literal godhood as the inheritance of the saints
(Rom. 8:29; Rev. 1:5– ).
MORMON PLAN OF SALVATION:
The Mormon plan of salvation is built on the idea that all people have
eternal life, but only the most faithful Mormons have godhood or enter
the celestial Kingdom. In order to obtain this ultimate step, Mormons
must exercise faith in the God of Mormonism, its Christ, and the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; exercise repentance; and be baptized
in the LDS Church. Additionally Mormons must keep the "Word of
Wisdom" by abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine; tithe
to the church; attend weekly sacrament meetings; support the Mormon
prophet; do temple works; and be active in their support of the church.
Biblical Response: Salvation, according to the Bible, is due to God’s
grace and love. He provided Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of the
world. It is through faith in the crucified and risen Jesus that we
may be saved. Works are excluded (John 1:12; 3:16; Rom. 10:9–13;
Eph. 2:8–9).
EVANGELIZING MORMONS
Know clearly the Christian faith and the gospel.
Be aware of the unique Mormon doctrines as presented here.
Remember, Mormons use Christian vocabulary (gospel, atonement, god)
but radically redefine their meanings. Define clearly what you mean
when you use biblical words.
Present a clear testimony of your faith in Christ alone for your
salvation.
Show your Mormon friend that the Bible teaches salvation alone through
the cross of Christ (John 3:16; Rom. 10:4,10–13; Eph. 2:8–9).
Emphasize that salvation is a gift to be received, not a merit to be
earned.
Warn the Mormon about trusting in feelings (i.e., the burning in
the bosom) for a validation of Mormonism’s truth claim. Without
historical, objective verification, feelings are useless.
When Mormons use a Bible verse, read carefully the verses before
and afterward to make clear the exact meaning and purpose of the passage.
Don’t let them take Bible verses out of context. Read carefully
the full reference in the Bible before deciding what any one verse means.
Keep the central doctrines of the faith as the focus of your discussion.
Do the basics: pray, trust the Holy Spirit, and be loving, patient,
and steadfast.
Phil Roberts, Director of Interfaith Evangelism. Copyright 2000 North
American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Alpharetta,
Georgia. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
