The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his075/lds11.lzh/LDS11.TXT

Text File | 1991-07-08 | 8KB | 144 lines

CUL:Divine Truths in the Book of Mormon

   Anyone visited by a Mormon Missionary has heard the Elder's
testimony concerning the Book of Mormon: That he knows this book is the
Word of God and that the founder of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith,
Jr., translated it by the gift and power of God. Further, the propsect
is encouraged sincerely to study the Book of Mormon and "The divine
truths it contains."

   The Book of Mormon indeed does contain a number of "divine truths",
first set forth in the Bible, the most important of which are:

   1. GOD IS SPIRIT Alma 18:28 (p. 242) - "Believest, thou that this
Great Spirit, who is God, created all things".

   2. TRINITARIAN VIEW OF GOD 3 Nephi 11:27 (p. 422) - "Verily I say
unto you, that the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are one." In
addition, three close associates of Joseph Smith who gave testimony of
the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, close with words: "And the
honor be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, WHICH IS
ONE GOD. Amen." (emphasis added) This endorsement is found in the front
of every Book of Mormon and further documents the Book of Mormon's
acknowledgement of the triune nature of God.

   3. GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE Moroni 8:18 (p. 517) - "For I know that God
is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangable
from all eternity to all eternity."

   4. NO SALVATION AFTER DEATH Mosiah 3:25 (p. 141) - "And if they be
evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and
abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the
Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can
no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls."

   5. ONLY TWO DESTINATIONS AFTER DEATH Mosiah 16:11 (p. 166) - "If
they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if
they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation."

   6. SALVATION BY CHRIST"S WORK - NOT MAN'S Helaman 5:9 (p. 369) -
"...remember that there is no other way nor means whereby mn can be
saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come,
yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."

   The Book of Mormon also emphasizes the need for spiritual rebirth.
For example Alma 5:14 states "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren
of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye recieved
his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change
in your hearts?"

   Much of the major theology set forth in the Book of Mormon is indeed
in harmony with orthodox Christianity. However, many who are visited by
the LDS Missionaries are unaware that the present theology of the
Mormon Church is very different from their own Book of Mormon. Further,
not only are today's major doctrines different, they are in total
opposition with this work of Joseph Smith, Jr., for which he claimed
divine inspiration.

   Mormon theology is not contained in, but rather contradicted by the
Book of Mormon. The members of the Mormon Church now turn to newer
publications and revelations for their beliefs. A brief examination of
some of these will document the contradictions.

   1. Mormonism today teaches "The Father has a body of flesh and bones
as tangible as man's" (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22).

   2. Joseph Smith, later in his life, flatly denied the Trinity: "Many
men say there is one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are
one God! I saw that is a strange God anyhow - three in one, and one in
three!" He further concludes that the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
are not one God, but rather three Gods (History of the Church 6:474,
476).

   3. The LDS Church no longer adheres to the unchangeable nature of
God, but rather states: "God himself was once as we are now and is an
exalted 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". (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).

   4. Bruce R. McConkie announces on page 73 of his work, 'Mormon
Doctrine': "The Lord has ordained baptism for the dead as the means
whereby all his worthy children of all ages can become heirs of
salvation in his kingdom."

   5. Mormonism today informs its members that all mankind will occupy
one of three heavenly kingdoms. The highest is the Celestial Kingdom
(which itself contains various levels). This kingdom is reserved for
all faithful Mormons and could lead to Godhood for the male members
there. The middle Kingdom, the Terrestial Kingdom, is for those who did
not accept the gosple according to Mormonism, but who lived an
honorable life. The lowest or Telestial Kingdom sill contain murders,
adulters, liars and thieves. (Doctrine & Covenants section 76). Hell in
Mormonism is usually thought to be only a temporary state of suffering,
which can be terminated through self-atonement. In summary, all will be
resurrected and recieve some degree of glory, according to Mormonism.

   6. Mormons believe not in the infinite atonement of Christ, but
rather that "redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through
obedience to the requirements of the Gospel, AND A LIFE OF GOOD WORKS."
(emphasis added) (Talmage, Articles of Faith pgs. 478-479)

   These changes and contradictions contained within these easily
available LDS Scriptures leave no doubt as to the human, man made
origin of Mormonism.

   While Mormons regard the Bible as the Word of God however, the Bible
is actually placed lower and superseded by their other Scriptures,
which in addition to the Book of Mormon include the Doctrine &
Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. This devaluation of the Bible
is found within the LDS Articles of Faith, in the Pearl of Great Price,
where it is stated that Mormons "believe the Bible in so far as it is
correctly translated."

   God's word, the Bible, has definitely stood the test of time, where
as in its short existance the Book of Mormon has not. The Bible, has
been used by and confirmed by archeology, - the Book of Mormon has not.
The Bible, has through recent ancient manuscript discoveries, been
demonstrated to have been transmitted and translated accurately, where
the Book of Mormon contains nearly 4000 textual changes from the first
edition in 1830 to the present editions used today, and has recieved
further changes in the new 1981 "Triple Combination" edition.

   The presence of "Divine Truths" within the Book of Mormon is merely
a result of Joseph Smith, Jr. incorporating much of the Bible into his
work. (see 'The use of the Bible in the Book of Mormon by H. Michael
Marquardt). Thus, the Book of Mormon must be regarded as fiction, not
as inspired Scripture.

   Changes within Mormonism and the Book of Mormon make it clear that
Mormonism is not from God. God's word does not change. Jesus Christ is
the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and His Word shall
never pass away (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35). The Jesus Christ who
shed his blood on Calvary's cross to save you is not the Jesus of
present-day Mormonism. Jesus invites all people to experience a
spiritual rebirth and to recieve the free gift of eternal life by
trusting in him alone for salvation.

   Write to us and let us share with you more information concerning
our Risen Saviour Jesus Christ and how you can recieve Him.

   PERSONAL FREEDOM OUTREACH Route 3 Weir Lake Rd., Kunkletown, PA.
18058 [phone] P.O. Box 26062, Saint Louis, MO. 63136 (314)
388-2648 P.O. Box 30073, Phoenix, AZ. 85046 [phone] P.O. Box
15081, Santa Ana, CA. 92705 [phone]