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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

WORLDVIEW/RELIGION ANALYSIS: MORMONISM

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. RICH HOLLAND IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS APOL 500

BY CHRISTOPHER BIGGER DECEMBER 5, 2010

1 INTRODUCTION This paper will provide a summary and critique of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, hereafter called Mormonism, as well as a plan to reach those involved in Mormonism with the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout examples will be given comparing some beliefs within Christianity with the beliefs held within Mormonism. SUMMARY The church was founded in Fayette, New York. It was founded by Joseph Smith and six other charter members in 1830. Today, it is considered one of the fastest growing religions in the world. The church is currently headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Caner, the church claims over 53,000 missionaries, 13million members, and missions in over 170 countries around the world.1 The founder, Joseph Smith, claimed to have received a vision at the age of 14 from both Jesus and the Father figure of the Christian Trinity which led him to found the church after questioning what existing church he should join. Through this vision, he claimed that Jesus told him to join none of them and that all of the churches that existed at the time were wrong and considered an abomination in the eyes of God. Through this revelation, he surmised that he was to create a return to true Christianity that was missing from the Earth. 2 Several years after this first revelation, the first edition of the Book of Mormon was published. This book is supposed to be translated from sacred scriptures that were found on golden plates as revealed to Smith by an angel named Moroni. These translations tell of a Jewish man that fled Jerusalem with his family to what is today, America. This family split in to two Ergun Caner, and Ed Hindson (eds.) The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008. 357.
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Ibid. 358.

2 nations of people that fought constantly with one finally finishing off the other. Before this final defeat, the then prophet Moroni buried his peoples sacred texts. He later became the angel Moroni and instructed Smith as to the location of the plates and how to translate them into what would become the Book of Mormon. In addition to the Book of Mormon, the Church uses several sacred texts as sources of authority for their doctrine and practice, these include, the King James Version of the Bible, Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.3After many movements across the United States, bathed in controversy, the Mormon Church ended its pilgrimage west at Salt Lake City under the leadership of Brigham Young. CRITIQUE One of the reasons it is speculated that this religion is growing worldwide at an exponential rate is due to the appeal of becoming a God, as one of the leading tenants of the faith asserts. In this line of thinking, it is asserted that God originated as a physical being like any other man: 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. [H]e was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did.4 And we therefore have the ability to follow that path to Godhead of our own planet someday. To underscore this assertion in their belief system adherents also believe the following from the Doctrine & Covenants:

Ergun Caner, and Ed Hindson (eds.) The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008. 357. Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company, 1989. 345-346.
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3 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.5 We see from this passage that some ideals of Christianity are held as belief by the Mormon Church, such as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Though this is a similarity, it is still taught as false doctrine. In this false doctrine it is taught that there are really three Gods that exist wholly separate from one another rather than the Christian and God inspired idea of the Trinity. The Christian ideal is completely against this mindset in that it details that In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 states that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. These two statements give no indication of God being a physical being. Another idea that is taught in Mormonism is that man was also in the beginning with God.6 This goes against the teaching of Christianity that man is a created being made wholly at Gods will. As seen through Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 1Corinthians 15:45-49. This difference in the origin of man is one that causes a great deal of debate amongst Christian and Mormon apologists. The doctrinal stance is that of the idea of pre-existencein that men have existed throughout time with God and are His spirit children. These were headed by two spirit brothers, Jesus and Lucifer, which struggled to be mankinds savior. Each had a plan for salvation, but Lucifers included a plan that forced all of the spirit children to give up their free agency, which angered the Father and he rejected the plan. This angered Lucifer and he rebelled against the

Doctrine & Covenants 130:22. Ibid. 93:29.

4 father with one third of the spirit children. They then became Satan and his minions.7 This discourse has some similarities with the description of Lucifer being cast out of heaven, but the crux of the difference is the most important point. Lucifer was a created being by God and Jesus was coexistent with the Father as part of the Trinity, thereby making it impossible for them to be any type of brother. Perhaps the most important doctrine to examine in Mormonism is that of salvation. While it is believed that salvation was given through Christs atonement on the cross. The Mormon Church teaches that that atoning sacrifice was made for all men whether or not they are righteous or wicked. This salvation doctrine gives false hope to mankind in that they do not understand the true lostness of their individual souls. The Christian and Biblical ideal concerning salvation teaches that salvation is available to those that accept that sacrifice as illustrated in Romans 10:9. This salvation is most importantly available freely and is only obtainable by accepting grace through faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-10. This conflict concerning salvation is one that stands out to the point of affording condemnation to those that dont understand the falseness of the Mormon position. As stated earlier in this paper the growth within this faith is growing in this world, 170 countries so far have growing Mormon missions in them. The turning towards false doctrine provides an opportunity for Christian apologists to reach out and teach the true Gospel of Christ in such a way that they can respectfully point out the inaccuracies of their faith. SHARING In dealing with Mormons, the Christian apologist first and foremost must give respect in order to earn respect. This is said and is true of any witnessing situation. Respect is as little of an Ergun Caner, and Ed Hindson (eds.) The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008. 360.
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5 action as listening to what is being said and truly listening to the reasoning of the person being reached. Secondly, the apologist must know and understand the Bible. This is said because the Mormon Church today has one of the most powerful evangelization programs in order to spread their message. Young men and women are trained from an early age on how to share their faith and the writings found in the book of Mormon. This author holds to the opinion that Christianity has fallen behind in this particular aspect of spreading the Word of God and need be very aware of our scripture and the truth that is found in them. Thirdly, Christians need to take the offensive and not be ashamed or nervous to share their faith with Mormons. Too often today Christians hide behind the excuse that they are intimidated by sharing their faith for fear of being shunned in their community. This fear is what is leading to Mormonism gaining a stronger foothold in society. Lastly, Christians learning to share their faith with Mormons must learn to focus on specific issues rather than trying to conquer every single difference between Christianity and Mormonism. This is actually another point that can apply to any witnessing situation. Christians must learn enough about another religion to communicate intelligently with members of that other religion; the simplest way to do this is to focus on specific issues in order to make an intelligent case. CONCLUSION The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is growing in the world today due to their aggressive efforts worldwide to convert people. Christianity must learn to stand against this move, while learning to communicate and win souls with the true Gospel of Christ. This paper has given a slight overview of Mormonism, some specific critiques of certain doctrines, and a brief plan to reach out to Mormon believers in order to win them to Christ. It is the responsibility of the believing Christian to work towards spreading the Gospel to the lost souls of Mormonism.

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY Caner, Ergun, and Ed Hindson (eds.),The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008. Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics; 3rd edition.Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008 Smith, Joseph. Doctrine & Covenants. Smith, Joseph Fielding, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company, 1989..