Biblical Reasons Ministry
A Comparison of LDS Doctrine With the Holy Bible
-Submitted anonymously and later edited by others
Is God body or spirit?
Mormonism: God is body. Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22; Book of Mormon, Ether 3:8-9.
vs.
Christianity: God is spirit. John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Matthew 16:17 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Alma 18:26-28). Spirit has not flesh and bone: Luke 24:39
Where was Christ born?
Mormonism: Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon, Alma 7:9-10.
vs.
Christianity: Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:4-7; Micah 5:2. (Bethlehem is 5½ miles south of Jerusalem, a significant distance during that time).
Are genealogies scriptural?
Christianity: No. Titus 3:9.
Is marriage eternal?
Christianity: No. Matthew 22:23-30; Luke 20:34-36.
How long did darkness fall over the earth at Christ’s death?
Mormonism: Three days. The Book of Mormon, Helaman 14:20, 27.
vs.
Christianity: Three hours. Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44.
What does the Bible say about men, prophets or angels announcing another Gospel, as claimed by Joseph Smith?
Christianity: They are cursed. Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; Mark 13:22-23.
Did Melchizedek have a father?
Mormonism: Yes. The Book of Mormon, Alma 13:18.
vs.
Christianity: No. Hebrews 7:3.
How old was Enoch when he was translated (taken up to heaven)?
Mormonism: 430. Doctrine and Covenants, 107:49; Pearl of Great Price, Moses 8:1.
vs.
Christianity: 365. Genesis 5:23-24 (and, in The Teachings of Joseph Smith, p. 170).
Should we believe those who say they have seen Christ in secret (as claimed by Joseph Smith in Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History, v. 17)?
Christianity: No. Matthew 24:23-26; Mark 13:21-23.
Is there more than one God?
Mormonism: Yes. "I will preach the plurality of Gods…." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370.)
"Gods exist, and we had better strive to be prepared to be one with them." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,* vol. 7, p. 238.)
"How many Gods there are, we do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333.)
vs.
Christianity: There is only one God. Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Alma 11:28-31, 44; Mosiah 15:1-4).
Is the use of King James’ English in the Book of Mormon logical?
The writer of the Book of Mormon continually uses words that were not relevant to his time. Rather, these words were peculiar to English spoken in the early 1600s, when the King James Bible was originally translated. For example: "prayest" "durst" "thou" "thee" "thy" "thine" "hast" "doth" "knoweth" "hearest" "cometh" "thirsteth" and so on. Is it logical that God would select such words for the 1800s? Or does this suggest that the writer was exposed to the King James Bible, and believed it would make the Book of Mormon more "spiritual" if he mimicked the same language?
Does the Book of Mormon plagiarize the Bible?
In the Book of Mormon, III Nephi 15:21 contains a word-for-word quote of the latter part of John 10:16 (King James Version); it even quotes the italicized word "and," which was supplied by the King James translators. How can this be possible, if the events of the Book of Mormon took place centuries before the publication of the KJV Bible?
Other chapters of the Bible--also copied almost verbatim in King James English--include 1 Nephi 20-21 (copying Isaiah 48-49), 2 Nephi 12-24 (copying Isaiah 2-14), and 3 Nephi 24 & 25 (copying Malachi 3 & 4).
Was God or Christ ever a man like we are?
Mormonism: Yes. "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. ... he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did...." (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 3).
"As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." (Prophet Lorenzo Snow, quoted by Milton R. Hunter, in The Gospel Through the Ages, pp. 105-6.)
"Remember that God, our heavenly Father, was perhaps once a child, and mortal like we ourselves, and rose step by step in the scale of progress, in the school of advancement; has moved forward and overcome, until He has arrived at the point where he now is." (Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 123.)
vs.
Christianity: God was never a man. Malachi 3:6; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 102:26-27; Isaiah 43:10; Hebrews 13:8 (and, in The Book of Mormon, Moroni 8:18; Mormon 9:9-11, 19; 3 Nephi 24:6).
When were followers of Christ first called "Christians"?
According to the Book of Mormon (Alma 46:13-15), between 73 and 72 B.C.
vs.
According to the Bible (Acts 11:26), well after Christ’s death, during Paul’s trip to Antioch (approx. 43 A.D.).
When was the Book of Mormon's Book of Jacob written?
The Book of Mormon indicates that Jacob was written between 544 and 421 B.C.
vs.
The French language didn't originate until approximately 700 A.D. Nevertheless, the French word "adieu" closes this book (Jacob 7:27).
Was Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit?
Mormonism: No. "When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 1:50).
"They tell us the Book of Mormon states that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost. I challenge the statement. The Book of Mormon teaches no such thing! Neither does the Bible.…" (Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 19-20)
vs.
Christianity: Yes. Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:35 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:10).
Is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth consistent with actual sexual relations between God and Mary?
Mormonism: Yes. "The birth of
the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the
result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood--was
begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers." (Brigham Young,
Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115)
"Therefore, the Father and Mother of Jesus, according to the flesh, must
have been associated together in the capacity of Husband and wife; hence
the Virgin Mary must have been, for the time being, the lawful wife of God
the Father; ...Inasmuch as God was the first husband to her, it may be that
He only gave her to be the wife of Joseph while in this mortal state, and
that He intended after the resurrection to again take her as one of his own
wives to raise up immortal spirits in eternity." (Apostle Orson
Pratt, The Seer, 1853, p. 158)
"Each of the words is to be
understood literally. ‘Only’ means only; ‘Begotten’ means begotten; and
‘Son’ means son. Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way
that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers." (Apostle Bruce R.
McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1979 ed., pp. 546-7).
"Christ was begotten of God, He was not born without the aid of man, and
that Man was God!" (Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of
Salvation, vol. 1, p. 18)
vs.
Traditional Christianity believes
that the conception of Jesus was a miraculous event. It did not require a
sexual or physical act of any kind. Mary could not have remained a virgin
(as stated in Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23 and Luke 1:34) if she had engaged in
literal sexual intercourse; regardless with whom she had had it.
How many will be condemned to Hell?
Mormonism: Few. Doctrine and Covenants 76:25-39.
vs.
Christianity: Many. Matthew 7:13-15.
Do differences between Christian denominations require a new church?
The vast majority of differences between Protestant denominations are of a trivial nature; e.g., whether one should be baptized by sprinkling versus immersion. Moreover, traditional Christianity—whether Protestant or Catholic—has never wavered in its central tenets of salvation. However, the Mormon Church—far from being unified—split quickly, and its factions differ enormously in doctrine. These groups include not only the Salt Lake-based LDS church and the Missouri-based Reorganized LDS Church (now called the Community of Christ), but almost one hundred smaller churches. Examples include the Strangites, the Cutlerites, the Temple Lot Mormons, the Church of the Lamb of God, the Church of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion, Christ’s Church of the First Born, the Church of the Messiah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Israel. Yet another spin-off, the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), had their compound raided in 2008 by state authorities due to forced marriage and motherhood for underage girls. The point is not that the Mormon Church endorses the FLDS or any other offshoot church, but rather to highlight the fact that it has produced a myriad of splinter sects, and that its criticism of mainstream Christianity for suffering schisms of its own is disingenuous.
Moreover, the true church is comprised of all believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Matthew 18:20), and will never cease to exist (Isaiah 51:6-8; Acts 5:38-39; Hebrews 12:28; Matthew 16:18; Mark 13:31) although Mormon leaders claim otherwise (e.g., Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 13:125).
Are additional scriptures required?
Christianity: No. Prior to Mormonism, "… God … hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…." (2 Peter 1:2-3.)
Moreover, the Bible equips a believer to perform "… all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17.)
Do all believers have authority / hold the priesthood?
Christianity: Yes. Revelation 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:5-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 4:7-12; John 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
Was the Gospel fully preached before Mormonism?
Christianity: Yes. Romans 15:19.
Are the Father and Son one?
Mormonism: No. "Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God and I say that is a strange God anyhow--three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization. … All are crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God--he would be a giant or a monster. . . ." (Joseph Smith, as quoted by Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 371-372).
vs.
Christianity: Yes. John 1:1; John 10:30; John 14:9 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 15:3-4; Alma 11:44; 2 Nephi 31:21; 3 Nephi 11:27, 36; Ether 3:14).
Was polygamy tolerated by God after the Old Testament?
Mormonism: "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. … You might as well make a law to say how many children a man shall have, as to make a law to say how many wives he shall have. It would be as sensible to make a law to say how many horses or oxen he shall possess, or how many cows his wife shall milk." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 11:268-9.)
"I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said … that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children. All that I have to say in reply to that charge is this--they worship a Savior that is too pure and holy to fulfil the commands of his Father. I worship one that is just pure and holy enough ‘to fulfil all righteousness;’ not only the righteous law of baptism, but the still more righteous and important law ‘to multiply and replenish the earth.’" (Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 210)
"A belief in the doctrine of a
plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We
might almost think they were ‘Mormons.’" (Elder Jedediah M. Grant, Second
Counselor to Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 346.)
Also see Doctrine and Covenants, 132:38, 61-62.
vs.
Christianity: Polygamy never pleased God. 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Jacob 1:15; 2:22-27; 3:5; Ether 10:5). Even in the Old Testament, God neither commanded nor condoned polygamy. Abraham’s union with Hagar, Sarah’s maid, was never directed by God. In fact, not only was it unnecessary--God cured Sarah’s barrenness--but it resulted in bitterness and hatred between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and their descendants. Moreover, King David and King Solomon’s polygamy was in direct violation of God’s command (Deuteronomy 17:17).
Further, the Bible never states that Christ was married. Rather, his persecution was due to his claim that he was the Messiah (Luke 22:70-71).
Does Doctrine & Covenants contain fulfilled prophesies?
Mormons frequently cite the following scripture as predicting the Civil War: "… At the rebellion of South Carolina … the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain … and then war shall be poured out upon all nations … And … slaves shall rise up against their masters … and that the remnants … shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation." (Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-5).
However, occurring just 16 years after Joseph Smith’s death, the Civil War was widely predicted even before that time. In any event, Great Britain never assisted the South; war wasn’t "poured out upon the nations" (it was limited to the U.S.); there was no major slave uprising (in fact, many slaves assisted the South); and the "remnants" (native Americans) were defeated in war and banished to reservations by the Gentiles.
Joseph Smith also predicted that the New Jerusalem would be built in Zion (Jackson County, Missouri), beginning at the temple lot, "which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord…." (Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5.)
However, no such temple was built. Moreover, according to Christianity, a prophet from God is never wrong. Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
Is Adam our God?
Mormonism: "When our father Adam came in the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organized this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken--He is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing must hear it, and will know it sooner or later." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 50)
vs.
Christianity: Men are not, and will not become, angels. Rather, man will rule and judge the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Adam did not come into the Garden of Eden with a celestial body; he had an earthly body (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).
Adam did not bring Eve with him; Eve was created after Adam (Genesis 2:20-23; and in the Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 5:15-16).
Adam died (Genesis 5:5), while God created the very earth which made Adam, and God alone rules us (Isaiah 45:18).
Does Christ dwell in the hearts of believers?
Mormonism: No. Doctrine & Covenants, 130:3.
vs.
Christianity: Christ dwells in the hearts of all believers. Ephesians 3:17 (and, in the Book of Mormon, Alma 34:36).
Are sincere, last-minute conversions honored by God?
Mormonism: No. "Some of our old traditions teach us that a man guilty of atrocious and murderous acts may savingly repent on the scaffold; and upon his execution will hear the expression--‘Bless God! He has gone to heaven, to be crowned in glory, through the all-redeeming merits of Christ the Lord!’ This is all nonsense. Such a character will never see heaven." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 61.)
vs.
Christianity: Yes. Luke 23:42-43; Matthew 20:1-15.
Is Christ the brother of Lucifer?
Mormonism: Yes. "‘Who will redeem the earth, who will go forth and make the sacrifice for the earth and all things it contains?’ The eldest son said: ‘Here am I;’ but he did not say ‘send me.’ But the second one, which was ‘Lucifer, son of the morning,’ said, ‘Lord, here am I, send me, I will redeem every son and daughter of Adam and Eve that lives on the earth, or that ever goes on the earth.’" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 282; (and implied in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:1-4).)
"The appointment of Jesus to be
Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was
called Lucifer, ... this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become
the Savior of mankind." (Apostle Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel
Through the Ages, p. 15)
vs.
Christianity: Lucifer is merely a fallen angel. Ezekiel 28:13-18 (and, in Doctrines and Covenants, 76:25-27).
Are personal efforts necessary for salvation?
Mormonism: Yes. Although everyone will be resurrected and achieve immortality, anything beyond this requires personal effort.
"...for we know that it is by
grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (The Book
of Mormon, II Nephi 25:23.)
This is explained as: "…that which man merits through his own
acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the
gospel." (Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation,
vol. 1, p. 134)
One such act is described by Apostle Milton R. Hunter: "Marriage is not only a righteous institution, but obedience to this law is absolutely necessary in order to obtain the highest exaltation in the Kingdom of God." (Gospel Through the Ages, p. 119)
vs.
Christianity: Salvation is a free gift, and cannot be earned. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God--Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9; also see Romans 3:27-28 and Galatians 3:11). In fact--if marriage is necessary for "the highest exaltation," as claimed by Hunter, above--the Apostle Paul would be disqualified (1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9).
Doesn't James 2:26, "… faith without works is dead …" prove that personal efforts are needed for salvation?
Some Mormons use this verse to support the position that good deeds are necessary to achieve salvation. However, in light of Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:27-28, it is clear that James is simply stating the obvious: That true faith results in good works in order to demonstrate a person’s salvation to others; not that works are required for personal salvation. Indeed, James states this in 2:18: "… I will show thee my faith by my works." Thus, good deeds are important to show others that we are already Christians. If such deeds are not done, a person’s salvation is good to no one but himself; i.e., it is "dead" regarding setting an example to others.
Should I allow Mormon missionaries into my home? Revised 11/08
Yes ... and no. 2 John 7-11.
Based on this passage, many well-meaning pastors have mistakenly taught that cultists shouldn't be invited into one's home. They've taught from 2 John that "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;..."
An examination of the passage in context, "do not receive him...do not give him a greeting" (do not bid him Godspeed - King James Version), shows us that one should not accept the message nor rejoice with those who bring a different gospel, i.e. do not receive him with joy and do not pay heed to his message which is a different gospel. Rather, we do well to exhort him to follow Jesus and we do well to rebuke his gospel, which is another.
To "not receive him" is to not wish him well in his endeavor.
Rather than turn him away we do well to exhort him to examine that which he believes to be true and we do well to tell him of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After hearing the gospel, if he persists in his endeavor to preach a false gospel, God exhorts us in Galatians 1:8: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
However, no, insofar that a person weak in his faith and unknowledgeable regarding biblical doctrines might be swayed by other gospels, such a person should not invite persuasion into his house lest he be fall prey to false teachings.
* The Journal of Discourses is a set of 26 volumes comprising nearly 10,000 pages of talks and speeches given by over 100 different authorities in the Church; the majority by supposed "Apostles" and "Prophets of God." In general, the discourses were given between 1854 and 1886, although some talks prior to these years have been included, including some given by Joseph Smith.
Regarding whether his personal utterances (such as those recorded in the Discourses) had the same weight as scripture, Brigham Young had this to say:
"I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom, as I know the road to my office. It is just as plain and easy. The Lord is in our midst. He teaches the people continually. I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. " (Journal of Discourses, 13:95)
As quoted earlier, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 states that a prophet from God is never wrong. Further, the publisher--believed to be Apostle Orson Pratt--also viewed these volumes as highly reliable and accurate reading, and said this about the Journal of Discourses:
"Each successive Volume of these Discourses is a rich mine of wealth, containing gems of great value, and the diligent seeker will find ample reward for his labor. After the fathers and mothers of this generation have made them the study of their lives their children's children will find that they are still unexhausted, and rejoice that this Record has been handed down from their fathers to also aid them in following the way of life.
"No one can remain a Saint long, unless he progresses by seeking after the higher knowledge, spirit, and power of those who are set to lead him. A little observation and experience will also satisfy him that he can never fully understand their sayings until he has advanced as far as they have, and sees and comprehends as they do, hence he will ever find their instructions the great fountain from which he must draw the elements of his own progress." (Journal of Discourses, Preface, vol. 3).
These examples are just a few of the contradictions between the Bible and Mormon doctrine. It is clear that the discrepancies are more than just a matter of "misinterpreting" the Bible. Moreover, since the Bible is accepted as Scripture by the LDS church, these inconsistencies must lead honest LDS members to the conclusion that Mormonism may be untrue. It is therefore suggested that Mormon brothers and sisters explore the possibility that evangelical Christianity has always been the true Church, and prayerfully--and courageously--seek opinions outside LDS teachings.
Mormon Testimonies Turned to Christ
Updated 5.08
Why Mormonism?
Mormon Temples
Secret or Sacred?
What Happens In There?
The Mormon Miracle Pageant
That’s my King! (S M Lockridge) – free video
"Jesus' blood on the altar was the ultimate payment. He made us worthy permanently. When Jesus died on the cross the veil covering the Holy of Holies tore in half. The mercy seat lay exposed to mankind. There is no veil, anymore, between God and man. Jesus ripped it down. But Mormonism has hung up a new one." -Kathleen Baldwin
"I found myself buried under a mountain of doubt, after really investigating church doctrine and church history...and getting myself more familiar with the Bible. It was too much. I finally came out from under all of that and embraced Jesus Christ alone, which is all we really need. I was sad to leave the church. Very sad...but, relieved and happy to find my Savior in the process." More...
Editor's note: He Gave You Jesus
- by Justjo
If the quote above describes you, please know that God loves you and has a
wonderful plan for your life. Visit Testimonies Turned to Christ at
the top of this section to understand that you're not alone in your feelings.
"Counterfeit, fake, bogus, imitation, forgery, fraud, copy.... We all recognize these words, as well as understand their meaning. There are many counterfeits out there. If they were easy to detect, they would not be called counterfeits. God gave us these wonderful books in the Bible to test these counterfeits. This is where we find our markers to detect them. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Gods word...." More...