Mormonism and Christianity

1. A Brief History of Mormonism
• Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was the son of a mystic and treasure hunter who also counterfeited currency
• God the Father and the Son appeared to him in 1820 telling him they were upset with the corruption of the church and they wanted him to restore the church to authentic Christianity
• The angel Moroni appeared to him in 1823 revealing where the gold tablets were hidden that later became the basis for the Book of Mormon
• Joseph Smith translated the gold tablets in 1827-29 using special glasses which he published as the Book of Mormon in 1830 and then founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Joseph Smith and Oliver Crowdery received the Aaronic priesthood from the hand of John the Baptist May 15, 1829 and the Melchizedek priesthood was conferred on them shortly after by Peter, James, and John
• Joseph Smith received 135 more revelations between 1831-44 as he and his followers moved around Ohio and Illinois because of persecution, finally building the town of Nauvoo, Illinois, where Smith was killed while being held for trial for polygamy and treason against the state of Illinois

2. The Book of Mormon
• The Mormons hold 4 books as being divinely inspired: the Bible, the Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Book of Mormon (the last 3 being written by Joseph Smith)
• The Book of Mormon purports to be the history of two ancient civilizations located on the American continent, the first emigrating after the tower of Babel (around 2250 BC), called the Jaredites and the second from Jerusalem (around 600 BC), called the Nephites.
• The Nephites split into two warring camps, with the second being called the Lamanites, who became the native Indians
• The Nephites were annihilated by the Lamanites in 385 AD in a battle near Palmyra, New York
• Problems: No archaeological evidence, Indians are not of Semitic descent, many errors and contradictions, plagarism, and anachronisms

3. Theology
• God once was a man who is now exalted and has a physical body who had to grow and develop, grow and learn
• Jesus was conceived through the physical sexual act of God the Father with Mary
• Jesus is a created being, the older brother of Lucifer, who was once sinful and imperfect but who earned his exaltation to godhood through his virtuous life
• Men are beings created through the sexual relations of the gods who must grow and develop to become gods themselves who will govern their own planets and populate them with celestial babies through sexual relations

4. Salvation
• The goal of life is to achieve exaltation to godhead and rule over one’s own planet
• Salvation is found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• There are two levels of salvation: general salvation is only resurrection, either to damnation or to a lesser existence, while individual salvation is the entrance into the Celestial Kingdom and exaltation to godhood
• While Mormons speak of faith in Jesus, it is a false Jesus and faith is intermingled with works, so that while they use terms like “faith,” “grace,” and “justification” they mean different things than what the Bible teaches
• One is “saved” through personal revelation, physical labor, obedience to leaders, overcoming temptation, intelligence and knowledge, prayer, baptism, laying on of hands, marriage, church membership, tithing, and temple work

5. Ethics
• No gambling, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, drugs, vulgar language

6. Religious Practices
• Baptism for the dead
• Temple Ceremonies
• Undergarment: Having made covenants of righteousness, the members wear the garment under their regular clothing for the rest of their lives, day and night, partially to remind them of the sacred covenants they have made with God.

7. Mormonism and Christianity
The Mormon Articles of Faith

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.