The Mormon "Word of God"

Please note: the red text is Mormon doctrine, not Christian doctrine. I don't want there to be any confusion.

The 2012 presidential election brought a great deal of attention to Mormonism since candidate Romney was Mormon. It also brought a great deal of confusion as many tried to portray Romney's faith as Christian. More recently, the producer of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins brought even more confusion by claiming that his Mormon friends worship the same Jesus he worships.

Christians must have a basic understanding of Mormon beliefs so we can pray for Mormons and share the truth in love.
 
Please understand that Mormons believe that The Book of Mormon is the most important holy book. It's their Word of God.

And the Book of Mormon contradicts God's Word, the Bible. See Contradictions between the Book of Mormon and the Bible.

The founder of the LDS (Mormon) church, Joseph Smith, claimed the Angel Moroni gave him gold plates which he translated into the Book of Mormon. Smith claimed it was “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”(Mormon Research Ministry)

This is the explanation of Robert E. Millet, former dean of education at the LDS college Brigham Young:

“One could come away from a careful reading of the second half of the New Testament somewhat confused on the matter of grace and works, finding those places where Paul seems almost to defy any notion of works as a means of salvation (Romans 4:1–5; 10:1–4; Ephesians 2:8–10) but also those places where good works are clearly mentioned as imperative (Romans 2:6; James 2:14–20; Revelation 20:12–13). It is to the Book of Mormon that we turn to receive the balanced perspective on the mercy and grace of an infinite Savior on the one hand, and the labors and works of finite man on the other...” (source)

Please note: Miller's misunderstanding of Scripture shows that he does not have God's Spirit helping him understand. Before we have God's Spirit, we have difficulty understanding the straightforward message of Scripture. See 1 Corinthians 2:10-16. Paul is not discussing works that lead to salvation. He is discussing works as a sign of salvation. See Two Major Misunderstandings Concerning Works and Faith.

 

Robert L. Millet's explanation continues:

“With the deaths of the apostles and the loss of the priesthood, the institutional power to perform and oversee saving sacraments or ordinances, learn the mind of God and interpret scripture was no longer on earth...” (source)

Imagine a god so weak that he would leave mankind without the truth for several centuries until Joseph Smith came along. The Mormon god has no real concern for the millions who lived and died without Smith's revelation which could have been given at any time throughout history.

 

Robert L. Millet's explanation:

“Through the Book of Mormon, translated by Joseph Smith, came additional insights concerning the person and powers of Jesus the Christ.” (source)

Paul addresses the exact situation that Mormon's claim brought new teachings about God:

“Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel(2) from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:7-9

Let's understand that Mormons do not know the true God. We need to pray for their salvation and share the gospel with them. We should never mislead them to thinking they are saved.

Source:
(1)Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194
(2) See: When Angels Lie, Cults are Formed.

💙For a devotion based on the solid truths of God's Word, check out The Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life.

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