Biblical Reasons Ministry
Week One: Eternal Progression
History:
Founded by Joseph Smith on Apr. 6, 1830. The “Restoration.”
Angelic vision and gold plates.
Smith reported being visited at age 14 by the angel Moroni (Mormon’s son) and that he would later be led to golden plates buried in a hillside in Cumorah, N.Y. The plates were an history of ancient inhabitants of the Americas to whom Jesus visited after his resurrection. Plates taken back to heaven by an angel after Book of Mormon “translated.”
The First Vision: Smith prayed to find out which of the churches were true. God purportedly answered: none. James 1:5 “If any seeks wisdom, let him ask.”
All their creeds are an abomination and their professors corrupt. Their hearts are far from me.
LDS scriptures:
Holy Bible
Plus:
Book of Mormon (BoM)
Doctrine & Covenants (D&C)
Pearl of Great Price (PoGP) (week four)
The ultimate idea of any religion answers the question: what happens after I die?
Unique Doctrines: See handout: "A Comparison" -courtesy of CARM.org
Link to printer friendly handout in Word format here.
Sample:
Topic
Christian
Mormon
GOD
There is only one God (Isaiah 43:11; 44:6,8; 45:5)
"And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light (Book of Abraham 4:3)
God has always been God (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 57:15)
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined 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
God is a spirit without flesh and bones (John 4:24; Luke 24:39)
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22. Compare with Alma 18:26-27; 22:9-10)
"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
Exaltation:
Exaltation is eternal
life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is
perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of
spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father.
This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the
celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly
Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his
children (see Doctrine & Covenants 14:7). Gospel Principles ch. 47,
Exaltation.
Eternal Progression (see handout):
Chart courtesy of CARM.org
Click image to enlarge
· Everyone, everywhere have always existed as “intelligences.”
· Jesus, Satan and all of us were born in the spirit-world (the preexistence) to God and Heavenly Mother as spirit-children. Called the “First Estate.” Jesus and Satan were spirit-brothers.
· Jesus is known in Mormonism as the "Exemplar" and our elder brother.
· War in heaven. 1/3 followed Satan while 2/3 followed God.
· Those who followed after God were found eligible to take on “tabernacles of flesh and bone” (physical bodies). Pass through the veil of forgetfulness and sent to earth to “progress” in our Second Estate, or Mortal Probation, as to “return to live with Heavenly Father.”
· We have opportunity during our Second Estate to accept or reject the gospel according to Mormonism. Those who accept it and live faithfully have opportunity to progress to godhood. Those who haven’t had opportunity to hear will have a second chance in spirit prison.
· The judgment. After the millennium, one is assigned to one of three “kingdoms.” All go to a form of heaven except the “Sons of Perdition.”
12th LDS president Spencer W. Kimball in an address to the women of the church.
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Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood. Ensign, Nov 1978, 101 |
John A. Widstoe, a member of the quorum of the 12, wrote:
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What is Eternal Progression? The doctrine of eternal progression was a tremendous addition to Christian belief and thought. For centuries the churches had promised man eternal existence; but Joseph Smith promised man through the restored gospel possible endless activity and development. That gave heaven, often conceived as a static psalm-singing place, a new and desirable definition. GospeLink electronic edition, pg. 182 |
Biblical answers:
Neither marry nor are given in marriage:
- Mark 12: 18-25
- Matt 22; 23-30
- Luke 20; 27-36
Only one God:
- Isaiah 43:10 44:6 and 8 Isaiah 43:11 (No savior besides me, Jesus!) Isaiah 45:5,14,18,21,22; 46:9; 47:8 John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9
Jesus is God:
- John 1:1 and 14 Col. 2:9
Saved by faith through grace and not by our own works of righteousness:
- Eph. 2: 8,9
- James ch. 1 and 2: Faith that works, not faith by works.
More here: Examining the LDS concept of Eternal Progression
Jesus Saves
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
"When I was LDS (not that long
ago) I saw a lot of things that made me question my membership in the LDS
church, but I sure wouldn't admit it for a long time (not even to myself). I
just knew there had to be good explanations for all of those silly criticisms,
if I just looked in the right place...or prayed about it long enough. I was
wrong." - Former Mormon, Marsha Bette
More...
Editor's note:
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.