Terry
THE VINDICATION OF MORMONISM: THE BIBLE
Written by Terry Spencer
INTRODUCTION
In the year 1830, Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a prophet of God, founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church. The church has grown to approximately 14 million members worldwide and has possibly become the most prosperous religion founded on the American continent. It is a very controversial religion as well, with many other Christian faiths claiming that Mormon doctrine is heretical in many areas. On the contrary, even though Mormons believe there is truth to be found in all Christian religions, Christ being the cornerstone, they claim that their faith is the only "true and complete" Christian church on the face of the Earth, having been restored by God himself, as the true and living gospel of Christ, as established by the Apostles of Old, through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Many Christian churches don’t consider Mormons to be Christian and require Mormon converts to be re-baptized. Conversely, the Mormon Church requires ALL of its converts to be re-baptized, considering itself to have the only true authority from God to baptize.
What are the points of Mormon doctrine considered to be controversial? This article will address the more common ones, which include:
Chapter One: Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?
Chapter Two: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) is the literal restoration of the church as established by Jesus and the Apostles in Old Times.
Chapter Three: The Bible is not ALL of God’s word… there is more scripture available from God to man.
Chapter Four: The gospel Mormons believe is the same gospel taught in the Bible.
Chapter Five: Faith and Works
Chapter Six: The Fall of Adam and Eve was a planned and necessary event in God’s plan for mankind, not a catastrophe brought about by Adam.
Chapter Seven: Men and women existed in Heaven, as spirits, before they were born in the flesh on the Earth (pre-existence).
Chapter Eight: The three degrees of Heaven.
Chapter Nine: There is a waiting place (The Spirit World) where the spirits of the dead are kept until their resurrection and final judgment.
Chapter Ten: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, while one in purpose, are separate beings.
Chapter Eleven: Man was created literally after the image of God, meaning that God has a body of flesh and bones.
Chapter Twelve: Man may eventually become like God.
Chapter Thirteen: Is The Book of Mormon a divinely inspired book?.
Chapter Fourteen: The Discontinued Practice of Polygamy
Epilogue and Conclusions
These are basic tenants of the Mormon faith, but this is not to say that there are not any overlaps on these beliefs in other Christian faiths. Some Christians believe most or some of what Mormons believe, while others believe little of what Mormons believe. These overlaps will be discussed.
How can one find out if the claims of Mormonism are true? Religion is based on faith, not science, so if one practices faith, the best way to learn truth is to study, pray, and ask God himself for the truth to be manifested through the Holy Ghost. This article is not trying to overrule that concept. It is merely an alternate, empirical approach, as many may have a hard time practicing faith, at least initially.
The first part of this article will lay a basic, simple, foundation for Mormonism and its origins. The King James Bible will be used to test the merits of Mormon doctrine and will become a “witness” as to its soundness. It is important to state that Mormons do revere the Bible. They study it and teach it along with their other canonized books of scripture. These other Mormon canonized books of scripture, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price will be examined to see if they stand up to Biblical scripture. If Mormon doctrine does not conflict with the Bible, then it cannot be said to be heretical.
Written by Terry Spencer
INTRODUCTION
In the year 1830, Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a prophet of God, founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church. The church has grown to approximately 14 million members worldwide and has possibly become the most prosperous religion founded on the American continent. It is a very controversial religion as well, with many other Christian faiths claiming that Mormon doctrine is heretical in many areas. On the contrary, even though Mormons believe there is truth to be found in all Christian religions, Christ being the cornerstone, they claim that their faith is the only "true and complete" Christian church on the face of the Earth, having been restored by God himself, as the true and living gospel of Christ, as established by the Apostles of Old, through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Many Christian churches don’t consider Mormons to be Christian and require Mormon converts to be re-baptized. Conversely, the Mormon Church requires ALL of its converts to be re-baptized, considering itself to have the only true authority from God to baptize.
What are the points of Mormon doctrine considered to be controversial? This article will address the more common ones, which include:
Chapter One: Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?
Chapter Two: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) is the literal restoration of the church as established by Jesus and the Apostles in Old Times.
Chapter Three: The Bible is not ALL of God’s word… there is more scripture available from God to man.
Chapter Four: The gospel Mormons believe is the same gospel taught in the Bible.
Chapter Five: Faith and Works
Chapter Six: The Fall of Adam and Eve was a planned and necessary event in God’s plan for mankind, not a catastrophe brought about by Adam.
Chapter Seven: Men and women existed in Heaven, as spirits, before they were born in the flesh on the Earth (pre-existence).
Chapter Eight: The three degrees of Heaven.
Chapter Nine: There is a waiting place (The Spirit World) where the spirits of the dead are kept until their resurrection and final judgment.
Chapter Ten: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, while one in purpose, are separate beings.
Chapter Eleven: Man was created literally after the image of God, meaning that God has a body of flesh and bones.
Chapter Twelve: Man may eventually become like God.
Chapter Thirteen: Is The Book of Mormon a divinely inspired book?.
Chapter Fourteen: The Discontinued Practice of Polygamy
Epilogue and Conclusions
These are basic tenants of the Mormon faith, but this is not to say that there are not any overlaps on these beliefs in other Christian faiths. Some Christians believe most or some of what Mormons believe, while others believe little of what Mormons believe. These overlaps will be discussed.
How can one find out if the claims of Mormonism are true? Religion is based on faith, not science, so if one practices faith, the best way to learn truth is to study, pray, and ask God himself for the truth to be manifested through the Holy Ghost. This article is not trying to overrule that concept. It is merely an alternate, empirical approach, as many may have a hard time practicing faith, at least initially.
The first part of this article will lay a basic, simple, foundation for Mormonism and its origins. The King James Bible will be used to test the merits of Mormon doctrine and will become a “witness” as to its soundness. It is important to state that Mormons do revere the Bible. They study it and teach it along with their other canonized books of scripture. These other Mormon canonized books of scripture, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price will be examined to see if they stand up to Biblical scripture. If Mormon doctrine does not conflict with the Bible, then it cannot be said to be heretical.