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Regarding Mormonism . .

Doc

Doc

Member
Real Person
The Mormon religion (Mormonism), whose followers are known as Mormons and Latter Day Saints (LDS), was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith, a high ranking Freemason. He claimed to have received a visit from the angel Moroni with a personal message from God who told him that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. This personal message was to be found on golden plates on a hill called Kumarah. Joseph Smith then set out to begin a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.” The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word, and all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).

Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one:
1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear.
2) The Book of Mormon, which was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth and that a person can get closer to God by following its precepts “than by any other book.”
3) The Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.”
4) The Pearl of the Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.

Mormons believe the following about God: He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Christians know this about God: there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8), He always has existed and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17), and He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).

Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this life. In contrast, the Bible tells us that after death, we go to heaven or hell based on whether or not we had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To be absent from our bodies means, as believers, we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unbelievers are sent to hell or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). When Jesus comes the second time, we will receive new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). There will be a new heaven and new earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).

Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. Mormons believe Jesus is a god, but that any human can also become a god. Mormonism teaches that salvation can be earned by a combination of faith and good works. Contrary to this, Christians historically have taught that no one can achieve the status of God—only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God's sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), is the only one ever to have lived a sinless, blameless life, and now has the highest place of honor in heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8; 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus tells us it is impossible to get to heaven by our own works and that only by faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God's infinite love and grace have allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Clearly, there is only one way to receive salvation and that is to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:28). We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind family-oriented people, they are deceived by a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.
 
Succinct and excellent, Doc.

Might I suggest adding a bit as to how the above doctrines color their version of PM, as opposed to our Biblical view?
 
I am disappointed about your article.
Even though we differ on religious topics, all organizations can benefit greatly in creating unity to achieve the acceptance of plural marriage in our country. It was the main reason for me to join your organization. All of the various organizations should have worked together in creating acceptance and a better understanding of the Celestial Plural Marriage principle.

I fail to understand how you better achieve the acceptance of Celestial Plural Marriage by society, by bashing Mormon believes. ............. In my opinion it hurts our cause.

The mormon doctrines quoted are correct. But your explanations are full of holes and show a lack of gospel understanding. We as mormons can also point the finger at what you believe and wonder how you possibly can come to that conclusion. But what does it proof?? Are you going to change your opinions? No! Are we? No!.

I give you a quick example:

You believe in the holy trinity. We see them as three distinct personages but are one in purpose.

And straightaway coming out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the spirit like a dove, descending upon him: and their came a voive from heaven saying: Thou art my beloved SON in whom I am well pleased. Must be talking to himself!!!!!!!!!!!

But he being full of the holy ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the RIGHT HAND OF GOD. Not sure how he does that!!!!!!!!

Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me! nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt. Must have a split personality to debate this....................

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven saying: I have both glorified it and will glorify it again..................... Well, well.

Touch me not, for I am not ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them: I ascend unto MY FATHER and YOUR FATHER. and YOUR GOD and MY GOD. MMMMHHH seems like He is my brother. Kind of a relationship he seems to identify here. So you believe he goes to himself first b4 she can touch him???????

........that they may all be ONE; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me:-- that they may be one even as we are one JOHN 17: 20-22 mmmmhh Sounds like how the mormons believe it to be.............

For my Father is greater than I.. John 14:28

Acts 1:9-11
1 Corr 8:4-6
Ephes 4:5-7

The comforter, which is the holy ghost whom the Father will send in my name...... John 14: 26 really I like to know how He would do that?

But when the comforter is come he shall testify of me.. John 15: 26

You see the Mormons have their scriptural back up. But why throw rocks at each other. You think you are right, I think you are wrong. So what?

If you would do a scholarly review you would and should have brought up all of these scriptures and analyze them before reaching a conclusion as far as the Holy Trinity doctrine is concerned. And let's not even start on the topic of 200,000 errors in the bible caused by "MEN". To accept the bible as is is nonsense and an indefensible position to take.

Respectfully

Robert

PS Please remove my name from your membership. I do not want to be associated with people that are intollerant of other people's believes.
 
Tollerence

Tolerance properly means to hear someone out and bear their objections weather they agree with you or not. You've presented the only truely intolerant view here Robert. Of course, now days tolerances means anything goes and you can't disagree with anyone, I guess that is the definition you are using.
 
Robert9876 said:
All of the various organizations should have worked together in creating acceptance and a better understanding of the Celestial Plural Marriage principle.
Click to expand...

That is the point. Biblical Marriage does not equal Celestial Plural Marriage.
 
Biblical Families has felt the need to distance ourselves from the untruths we perceive in Mormonism, and and we're not going to apologize for that - and that has made some unhappy. I'd encourage everyone to read our About Us page again: http://biblicalfamilies.org/about - we don't require doctrinal agreement on any particular issue, but we are clearly a Sola Scriptura based body of believers. If you accept another written book as revelation from God, we can still accept you as friends, but we have a fundamental difference in our belief systems and we should be honest about that gulf. If Robert had referred to the About Us page, he would know we don't believe in Celestial marriage. And this ministry isn't focused on "creating acceptance and a better understanding" of even Biblical marriage.
 
HEAR! HEAR! To all 3 of ya.
 
Just a couple of thoughts here.

1. Not seeming accepting of most Mormon plural influence is not harmful to plural Christian ideas because:
a. Modern Mormons do not accept plural marriage any more than anyone else and have denied the lifestyle and their own followers.
b. The Mormons that do accept plural marriage have also had little success at public acceptance.
c. The Mormons that do accept plural marriage have repeatedly produced leaders that harm public opinion, this is not a negative statement about Mormons in general, but just the way it has happened.

2. Accepting a Mormon association has not in the past led to a higher success rate for the lifestyle.
a. Several Christian plural homes relocated to be near Mormon polygamy areas achieved little benefit or
Mormon acceptance.
b. Tolerance/diversity is usually not reciprocated by Mormons if other doctrinal issues still remain different.

3. This forum has not been successful because of any Mormon influence or even being correct on plural ideas.
It has been successful because of it's focus on Christ and salvation achieved on the cross. Our relationship to
God is not dependent on plural but rather on our relationship to Christ.

There are several religious systems and even those who are non-religious who have some acceptance of plural ideas. Dynamic groups will always differ and agree somewhere. But whether it's theology, taxes, or politics, or etc., it is unreasonable to expect total agreement. The same is true of plural ideas. This forum accepts diversity but should not be expected to bond together all different groups that accept plural.
 
Hear, Hear to the Biblical view.

I would rather rely solely on my Creator, the one true God, to carry forth His will than to rely on unholy allegiances to try to get His message to be accepted. That would taint the holiness of His righteousness and His miracles. If we feel the need to ally ourselves to attain "public" acceptance of a Biblical directive, we might as well bind ourselves to the LGBT agenda. The point here is that we are called to be "in" the world and not "of" it. We are a peculiar people. We are set apart, etc.
 
Welcome to the forum Matrika52. You are certainly welcome here.

This thread is important because it clarifies to readers that this is a genuine non-Mormon, Christian group, that accepts polygamy. Although as you have quite rightly pointed out most Mormons do not practice polygamy, in American culture polygamy has become linked with Mormonism. We run a strong risk of being rejected by the mainstream Christian church as Mormons if we do not make it very clear that we disagree with Mormon teachings.

This forum is not a place to debate Mormonism, but to support Christians in Biblical marriages. Stating our position on Mormon teachings is just one minor yet necessary detail to allow us to do that. We're not here to get into a fight over it (we may have vigorous discussions in other settings of course!), and as it's a side issue there's no need to go into every detail of the views of different groups either, this is a very general post.

Does that help to clarify the intent of and feeling behind this post?

As Eternitee has pointed out, to help clarify to people you are discussing things with exactly where you are coming from, we would appreciate it if you would add a comment that you are LDS to your signature, you will find the user control panel if you click your name at the top right of the page. Feel free to stick around and join in the discussions.
 
Doc said:
Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one:
1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear.
Click to expand...
The Jehova's Witnesses' version of the Bible is "translated correctly"? Would you use it in your church?
 
I can assure you Christiano that Doc almost assuredly would not. I'm not sure he posts anymore or I wouldn't answer for him. If you mistook his post to say he supports the Mormon bible you misread it. Although I will say this, even with the changes they weren't able to take out the truths they were trying to .
 
ZekAustin,

By Doc's post, it seems he disagrees with the Mormons' belief that the Bible divinely inspired "as far as it is translated correctly". The problem for Mormons isn't if this or that verse is correctly translated, but the whole Bible. English-speaking Mormons use the King James version at their congregations, I even have a copy of the KJV Bible here at home, printed by the LDS church, altough Portuguese is my native language. No one I know here in Brazil (and also in the US) would ever use the New World Bible precisely because of the translation. So I agree with the Mormons' belief about the Bible. I intend to found an evangelical church here in Brazil that will be the first to perform polygamous marriages in the country, and I also intend to use the KJV in my sermons. I'll also guide the future members of my church not even to put their hands on any copy of the NWV.
 
I got to visit Brazil once on a missions trip. Its a beautiful country. On the issue of Bible translations I think where the big break comes with Mormonism is that they don't believe an accurate copy of scripture got handed down to us at all and that their prophet "fixed" the Bible with his revelations. Certainly we can agree that various translations are superior in this regard or that regard but that the underlying manuscripts we have represent God's Word. The Mormons don't believe that, at least that's my interpretation.
 
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