Why i’m a christian and not a mormon
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Transcript of Why i’m a christian and not a mormon
Why I’m A Christian
and Not A Mormon
Roughly 6.5 million Americans self-identify themselves as a
member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
Where does Mormonism come from?
Joseph Smith (1805-1844) is the founder of the church. He claims that a revival had occurred near his home of Palmyra, New York in 1820. The converts, however, could not decide on which denomination to join.
Smith prayed for guidance and claims that Jesus and His Father (Elohim) appeared to him. They told him that all of the Christian denominations were “corrupt” and all Christian creeds “an abomination” because they were the products of man, not God. Mormons refer to this as “The First Vision.”
Smith claims that in 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to him and charged him with translating The Book of Mormon.
Smith was not given the plates until 1827 and he didn’t publish the work until 1830. It’s full title was “The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.”
Wha
t is t
he b
ook
of
Mor
mon
?Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim
he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles” through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time.
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
Wha
t is t
he b
ook
of
Mor
mon
?
Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim he
wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles”
through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during
this time.
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
Wha
t is
the
book
of
Mor
mon
?
Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles”
through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he
dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time .
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
Wha
t is t
he b
ook
of
Mor
mon
?
Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles” through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time.
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision .
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
Wha
t is t
he b
ook
of
Mor
mon
?
Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently
“special goggles” through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during
this time.
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
Wha
t is t
he b
ook
of
Mor
mon
?
Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how. Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached. The Urim and Thummim were apparently
“special goggles” through which he could translate the text.
Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during
this time.
Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.
The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).
It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible). The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for
Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men.
What is in the book of
Mormon?
It begins with the story of Nephi whose father Lehi has a vision and is warned of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians around 600 BC. Lehi, his family and a few others flee Israel, build
a ship (with instructions from God to Nehphi) and
they sail to the Americas.
They reach America and eventually Lehi dies.
Nephi’s two brothers, Laman and Lemuel, rebel and try to kill him. He escapes with his
family and some other followers who establish the
Kingdom of Nephi. His brothers, however, are
stricken by God with dark skin as a punishment for
their sin. These “Lamenites” are the forefathers of Native
Americans.
The two tribes eventually go to war and the Lamenites win in 428 AD. The last of the Nephite leaders was
named, “Mormon.” His son Moroni took these books, written on golden plates,
and buried them in upstate New York.
The Book of Mormon also teaches that Jesus appeared to the “faithful” in America
and “healed their sick, taught them His Gospel,
blessed their children and called twelve disciples to organize His church in the Americas” (3 Nephi 11:18;
12:1-2).
When did this happen? LDS scholars disagree. Some
think it was after he ascended to His Father 40-days after his resurrection and others believe it was
about a year later.
Mormons teach that the Christian church suffered
“The Great Apostasy” after the death of the twelve
disciples. The true church continued to exist in
America until the destruction of the Nephites
in 428
It begins with the story of Nephi whose father Lehi has a vision and is
warned of the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Babylonians around 600 BC. Lehi, his family and a few
others flee Israel, build a ship (with
instructions from God to Nehphi) and they
sail to the Americas.
They reach America and eventually Lehi dies. Nephi’s two brothers,
Laman and Lemuel, rebel and try to kill him. He
escapes with his family and some other followers who establish the Kingdom of
Nephi. His brothers, however, are stricken by God with dark skin as a
punishment for their sin. These “Lamenites” are the
forefathers of Native Americans.
The two tribes eventually go to war and the Lamenites win in 428 AD. The last of the Nephite
leaders was named, “Mormon.” His son Moroni took these books, written on golden plates, and
buried them in upstate New York.
The Book of Mormon also teaches that
Jesus appeared to the “faithful” in America
and “healed their sick, taught them His Gospel, blessed their children and called twelve disciples to organize His church in the Americas” (3 Nephi 11:18; 12:1-
2).
When did this happen? LDS
scholars disagree. Some think it was after he ascended to His Father 40-
days after his resurrection and others believe it was about a year
later.
Mormons teach that the Christian church suffered “The Great Apostasy” after the death of the twelve disciples. The true church continued to
exist in America until the destruction of the Nephites in
428
In fact, Smith claims he was
directly anointed by Peter, John,
James and John the Baptist
granting him the “keys to the Kingdom,” the title of prophet and a priest in both the order of Aaron and Melchizedek.
The true church was not organized again until Joseph
Smith was anointed and reformed it.
What does the “true church” look
like?They look to the New Testament and believe there
should always be twelve apostles.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
The President (or Prophet) who receives continuous revelation
from God.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
The Two Counselors who serve the
President. Mormons believe this mirrors
the early leadership of Peter, John and James.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
The Quorum of Twelve, which with the President and
Counselors make up the 15 Apostles, which is the second highest governing body of the
church.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
The Apostles are served by the
Seventies.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
General officers and presiding Bishopric are
called to their positions by the
apostles.
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
“Stake Presidents”
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
The leader of local parishes is a “Bishop” and the congregations he oversees are called
“wards”, a group of wards form a “Stake”
Today, the church is
structured as follows:
Then there are the individual members.
What do LDS worship services
look like?
Worship services last about three hours and are broken into three
segments: The sacrament meeting where they take communion and
hear “talks” by lay members and they sing hymns
Sunday School
Priesthood meetings for all men and boys age 12 or older and Relief Society Meetings and Young Women Meetings.
LDS “meetinghouses” welcome all people whether
they are Mormon or not although there are places in
the meetinghouse where only members can enter.
“Temples” are used for marriages and baptisms.
There are also services during the
week except for Monday, which is “Family Night.”
The two big events in the LDS church are the General Conference Meetings (held in April &
October), in which the President/Prophet speaks. They are carried worldwide via
satellite, radio, etc.
What about creation?
Christians believe God created the universe out of of nothing but Mormons hold to the
eternal existence of matter. They teach that Elohim and Jesus “formed” but did not create
“the heavens and the earth.”
What do they believe about
God?
• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.
Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew
up an obedient Mormon. He died and was elevated to divinity. He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”
Human
Body• A great council of galactic gods was
convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children. They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans. Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer
Earth
What do they believe about
God?
• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.
Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew
up an obedient Mormon. He died and was elevated to divinity. He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”
Human
Body• A great council of galactic gods was
convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children. They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans. Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer
Earth
What do they believe about
God?
• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.
Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew
up an obedient Mormon. He died and was elevated to divinity. He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”
Human
Body• A great council of galactic gods was
convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children. They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans. Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer
Earth
Lucifer proposed that he be sent as savior and force all of the children to obey Mormon teaching and become gods. Jesus opposed his brother’s plan and argued that humans should be given free will as on all other planets.
Lucifer convinced 1/3 of Elohim’s “spirit children” to rebel. They were cursed to become demons and to never receive human bodies.
Those who fought bravely against the rebellion were assured they were to be born to good Mormon families, those who fought half-heartedly were born with a curse—dark skin.
Later, Elohim would travel to earth from his star base to
impregnate the virgin Mary and give his son Jesus a human
body.
According to
Mormons, Jesus had
three wives.
Mary
Martha
Mary Magdalen
e.
He fathered
many children. One of his later
descendants was…
Joseph Smith
Mormons teach there are different levels of salvation based on their
reading of 1 Cor. 15:40-42. There is general salvation for all through the cross of Christ with exception of the very wicked who are the only ones
destined for hell. What about salvation?
Mormons teach there
are “three
kingdoms of glory”: A person is assigned a kingdom on
judgment day based on their obedience to God’s commands.
The Celestial KingdomThe Terrestrial
KingdomThe Telestial Kingdom
Only those adults who come to faith in Christ,
repent and obey Mormon teachings perfectly will live in
the celestial kingdom.
Mormons do hold to an “age of accountability” (roughly the age of 8) and believe all children who die
before such an age will automatically be included in the celestial kingdom (Doctrines &
Covenants 131:1-4).
The Terrestrial Kingdom will include those who were
“blinded by the craftiness of men.”
These are people who did not receive the Gospel in this life but did so in the place of
the dead. The Telestial Kingdom will include all
others. It will be planets that are
pleasant.
So, unless you’re an axe murderer, why be a
mormon?
What about baptism for the dead?
Mormons contend that all those who die go to a place for the dead until final judgment. There, they will be offered a chance to accept LDS teachings. But, for their salvation to be complete and, at least have a shot at the Terrestrial
Kingdom, they must be baptized vicariously through another family
member. Mormons believe baptism is essential to salvation for the top tier
kingdoms.
Polygamy was eliminated as a practice but the doctrine was not
eliminated from their beliefs. Some members till practice it. Joseph Smith had at least 28 wives.
What about polygamy?
What are the main differences between Christianity and Mormonism?
-The Bible is the only book inspired by God (1 Tim. 3:16 and Jude 3)
-Salvation is through faith in Christ alone (see Romans 5:8; 10:9, etc.). We do good works to show love and gratitude to God, not to earn anything.
-God is three-and-one (Matt. 28:19
-There is historical evidence to support the validity of the Christian faith.
What are the main differences between Christianity and Mormonism?
-The Bible is the only book inspired by God (1 Tim. 3:16 and Jude 3)
-Salvation is through faith in Christ alone (see Romans 5:8; 10:9, etc.). We do good works to show love and gratitude to God, not to earn anything.
-God is three-and-one (Matt. 28:19
-There is historical evidence to support the validity of the Christian faith.
BE NICE! Don’t engage them if you are not an expert (and even experts have low
batting averages). But, offer them water or lemonade or something to eat.
What do you do if a Mormon missionary comes to your door?