Category: Denominational Studies

“Realizing the importance of having correct copies, the leaders of the Church determined to publish them. Because the originals contained spelling and grammar errors, a Church conference moved that Joseph Smith should make the necessary corrections. (Far West Record, p. 16) This was the beginning of controversies and charges made by persons who do not know or understand that the text of recorded revelation can be edited and ‘changed’.” (Ensign, December 1984, p. 33)

Continue reading “Mormonism – Changes in Mormon Revelations”

“The Church must practice baptism for the dead.” – The foregoing is a fundamental identification mark of what Mormons call the church. Baptism for the dead, has become possibly the most important function of Mormonism. Their doctrine of baptism for the dead is found only in one of their own alleged inspired books, Doctrine and Covenants 124:28-36. The passage purports to be the Lord’s command to build a temple at Nauvoo, Illinois because there was not a “baptismal font … upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead.”

Continue reading “Mormonism – Baptism for the Dead – A Mormon Hallmark”

One of the hallmark prophecies made by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of Mormonism, involves the building of a Temple in Independence, Missouri. Smith prophesied the temple would be built during the lifetime of those living in his generation. He picked out the very spot where the temple had to be built. He said the Lord told him that all the “saints” would gather there, and that he would return in all his glory. This prophecy, like all others Smith made, proved to be completely false. Brigham Young, successor to Joseph Smith, Jr., took up the same false prophecy and in a speech he delivered on July 28, 1861, asked the following questions.

Continue reading “Mormonism – False Prophecies About Zion”

Joseph Smith, Jr. was a remarkable American. He founded the Mormon religion. He claimed to be a prophet and made many prophecies. If Joseph Smith was a true prophet then everyone should follow his teachings. If, however, Joseph was a false prophet, he should be exposed as such.

There are at least twenty three references in the Bible dealing with false prophets. Some of these references are specific tests that determine if a prophet is a true prophet of God or not. We will apply some of these tests to Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of Mormonism.

Continue reading “Mormonism – False Prophecies of Joseph Smith, Jr.”

The Book of Mormon proposes to reveal God’s dealings with the Americas. It relates a story of expeditions from the middle east to the Americas, the last of which occurred somewhere between 600 BC and 421 AD It further purports to restore certain truths that were taken out of the Bible (I Nephi 13:26-28). The Book of Mormon lays the responsibility for these removals of truth on the doorstep of the “abominable church,” which very likely was the Catholic Church. The story is of the family of a prophet named Lehi. They sailed across the Atlantic ocean by divine help and guidance and landed safely in the Americas. The precise location is a matter of study still among Mormons.

Continue reading “Mormonism – The Flaw in the Plot of the Book of Mormon”

“Realizing the importance of having correct copies, the leaders of the Church determined to publish them. Because the originals contained spelling and grammar errors, a Church conference moved that Joseph Smith should make the necessary corrections. (Far West Record, p. 16) This was the beginning of controversies and charges made by persons who do not know or understand that the text of recorded revelation can be edited and ‘changed’.” (Ensign, December 1984, p. 33)

Continue reading “Mormonism – Book of Mormon and Mormon Doctrines”

The “Book of Mormon” is one of several alleged “revelations” the followers of the late Joseph Smith, Jr. accept as divinely inspired. While they give some credence to the Bible, “as far as it is translated correctly” (Articles of Faith, # 8), the Book of Mormon is their mainstay. They never speak of it “as far as it is translated correctly.” That would not only be unthinkable for a Mormon, it would be heresy. Their founder and spiritual father, Joseph Smith, Jr., rather immodestly said of the Book of Mormon, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon 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.” (History of the Church, Volume 4, page 461). Thus the Book of Mormon is a perfect work, translated by an infallible device and is the true basis of the entire Mormon structure.

Continue reading “Mormonism – Sacred Books of Mormonism”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the largest of the groups who accept Joseph Smith, Jr. as a prophet of God in these latter days, are commonly called “The Mormons.” The name “Mormon” is not objectionable to most of the Latter Day Saints. Dean B. Cleverly, executive assistant in the Missionary Department of the LDS Stake in Bountiful, Utah, responded to a question as to the appropriateness of using the name “Mormon” to designate Latter Day Saints. He wrote, “The early members of the Latter-day Church were nicknamed ‘Mormons,’ because they accepted the Book of Mormon as a companion volume of scripture to the Bible. Originally a term of contempt, the nickname was soon accepted and used rather freely by the Latter-day Saints.” Ensign, December 1983, page 29).

We certainly mean no disrespect in our use of the term and use it as Cleverly says is an accepted practice among the Mormons.

Continue reading “Mormonism – What is Mormonism?”

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have a very faulty method of biblical interpretation. They twist and distort numerous passages to fit their own particular doctrinal posture. Additions to what the text of Scripture says is not uncommon among them. They can change and alter the meanings of words to fit their own purposes and have even developed a special translation of the Bible designed to support their erroneous doctrines. This is a very tragic and dangerous thing to do.

We hold the people in the Jehovah’s Witness organization in the highest esteem. We simply deplore their doctrinal defections and corruptions. With the Psalmist we can say, “Through your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). As we examine their doctrines and practices, in this installment we will look at how they pervert Scripture relative to blood transfusions.

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“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away“ (Matt. 24:35). These words were spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. Would it surprise you to learn that some very dedicated people who profess to be followers of Christ take issue with that statement? The Jehovah’s Witness organization contends that the earth will never pass away; it will simply go through a process of cleansing and renovation. According to them, the earth will be changed but not pass away. This will allegedly occur after the final judgment. J.F. Rutherford, one of the founders and principal representatives of the Jehovah’s Witness organization wrote as follows: “When mankind reaches perfection at the close of the Millennial age, as already shown, they will be admitted into membership in the Kingdom of God and given the entire control of earth as at first designed — each man a sovereign, a king.” The Plan of the Ages, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Brooklyn, NY, Page 296.

Continue reading “Jehovah’s Witnesses – New Heaven and Earth”