Mormon Official Equates Christianity with “a false cult”

Mormon Coffee (Mormonism Research Ministry) ^ | Oct. 12, 2011 | Sharon Lindbloom

[Colofornian]

Mormons believe that in 1820 a young Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray. In answer to that prayer, they believe, Joseph was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. Today this is called the First Vision. As Joseph reported this vision (in the version that has since been named “official”), he asked the Deities which sect or church was right, and which one he should join. Joseph wrote,

“I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt…” (Joseph Smith—History 1:19)

Mormonism entered into the religious scene swinging. According to Mormonism’s founding prophet, if you are not a Mormon, your church is wrong, your beliefs are abomination to God, and you and your fellow professing church members are all corrupt.

I wonder if Mormons would see this as an example of “the blessings of faith [that] carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate” that Mitt Romney has been talking about recently?

Last weekend Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress publically identified Mormonism as a theological cult. Dr. Jeffress used the term “cult” as a theological classification, not as a pejorative, but that point seems to be lost on Mormons and the mainstream media.

Since Dr. Jeffress’ comments have been made known, Mormons have been vocally decrying his “bigotry,” his “hatred,” and his “fanaticism.” Truthfully, this all too common knee-jerk Mormon reaction grows wearisome.

Mormonism’s very existence is unseverable from the “poisonous language” of its founders and leaders. Why was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established? Because all existing churches in 1820 were declared wrong–they had abominable creeds and corrupt members professing those creeds. The Mormon Church was established because (it claims) true Christianity had vanished from the earth; it had fallen into complete and total apostasy:

“Every Latter-day Saint knows that following the death of the apostles, Paul’s prophecy was fulfilled, for there were many ‘grievous wolves’ that entered the flock, and men arose ‘speaking perverse things,’ so that the doctrines were changed and the true Church of Jesus Christ ceased to be on the earth. For this reason there had to come a restoration of the Church and a new revelation and bestowal of divine authority. The Church of Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures are, therefore, not responsible for the changed doctrines and unscientific teachings of those times, when uninspired ecclesiastics controlled the thinking of the people.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Man, His Origin and Destiny, pp. 467)

Consider just a few of the “punches” Mormonism has thrown in its fight against Christianity:

“Christians—those poor, miserable priests brother Brigham was speaking about—some of them are the biggest whoremasters there are on the earth, and at the same time preaching righteousness to the children of men. The poor devils, they could not get up here and preach an oral discourse, to save themselves from hell; they are preaching their fathers’ sermons—preaching sermons that were written a hundred years before they were born.” (Heber C. Kimball, July 26, 1857, Journal of Discourses 5:89-90)

“Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity.” (Brigham Young, July 8, 1863, Journal of Discourses, 10:230).

“What does the Christian world know about God? Nothing…Why so far as the things of God are concerned, they are the veriest of fools…” (John Taylor, May 6, 1870, Journal of Discourses 13:225)

“I do not wish to say anything in relation to other forms of religion; I do not know that it is necessary that I should do so; but no thinking man can admit that Christianity so-called—I call it a false Christianity, untrue to its name—satisfies the wants of humanity at the present time.” (George Q. Cannon, July 15, 1883, Journal of Discourses 24:185)

“The false and corrupt institutions, and still more corrupt practices of ‘Christendom,’ have had a downward tendency in the generations of man for many centuries. …The overthrow of those ancient degenerate races is a type of that which now awaits the nations called ‘Christian,’ or in other words, ‘the great whore that sitteth upon many waters….” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 1978, p. 106)

“A false Christ…is a false system of worship, a false church, a false cult that says: ‘Lo, here is salvation; here is the doctrine of Christ. Come and believe thus and so, and ye shall be saved.’…We hear the voice of false Christs when we hear the Athanasian Creed proclaim that ‘whosoever will be saved’ must believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are incomprehensible and uncreated, that they form a Trinity of equals, who are not three Gods but one God, and not one God but three Gods, and that unless we so believe we ‘cannot be saved,’ and ‘shall perish everlastingly.’” (Bruce McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p. 48.)

“False creeds make false churches. There is no salvation in believing a lie. Every informed, inspired, and discerning person is revolted by the absurdities and scripture-defying pronouncements in the creeds of Christendom…” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary 1:30. Footnote 2)

“To say that Satan sits in the place of God in Christianity after the time of the Apostles is not to say that all that is in it is satanic…Still, ‘the power of God unto salvation’ (Rom. 1:16) is absent from all but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which the Lord himself has proclaimed to be ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth (D&C 1:30). Satan’s goal of hindering many of God’s children from returning to their Father’s glory is thus realized.” (Kent P. Jackson, “Early Signs of the Apostasy,” Ensign, December 1984, p. 9)

Given the statements I’ve quoted above, I’m astonished that Mormons cry foul when any Christian declares that Mormonism is outside the theological boundaries of Christianity. Do Mormons really believe it is reprehensibly one-sided for evangelical Christians to use strong language to define the fact that there are vast differences between Mormonism and Christianity? Apparently so; a Mormon calling himself Eichendorff went on record with this non sequitur: “no Latter-day Saint makes a point of condemning the beliefs of Evangelicals.”

Mormons who complain about Christians questioning the theology of Mormonism–protesting against any suggestion that Mormonism isn’t Christianity with cries of “bigotry,” “hatred,” and “fanaticism”—need to take a look at the historical discourse found in their own church. I would like to see Mormons abandon this hypocritical name-calling and (changing sports metaphors here) step up to the plate for real, thoughtful discussion. As Bill McKeever is fond of saying, “If Mormons want to be in the religious Big Leagues they need to knock it off.”

[Colofornian]

From the blog: Mormonism entered into the religious scene swinging. According to Mormonism’s founding prophet, if you are not a Mormon, your church is wrong, your beliefs are abomination to God, and you and your fellow professing church members are all corrupt. I wonder if Mormons would see this as an example of “the blessings of faith [that] carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate” that Mitt Romney has been talking about recently?

From the blog: Since Dr. Jeffress’ comments have been made known, Mormons have been vocally decrying his “bigotry,” his “hatred,” and his “fanaticism.” Truthfully, this all too common knee-jerk Mormon reaction grows wearisome. Mormonism’s very existence is unseverable from the “poisonous language” of its founders and leaders. Why was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established? Because all existing churches in 1820 were declared wrong–they had abominable creeds and corrupt members professing those creeds. The Mormon Church was established because (it claims) true Christianity had vanished from the earth; it had fallen into complete and total apostasy

From the blog: Mormons who complain about Christians questioning the theology of Mormonism–protesting against any suggestion that Mormonism isn’t Christianity with cries of “bigotry,” “hatred,” and “fanaticism”—need to take a look at the historical discourse found in their own church. I would like to see Mormons abandon this hypocritical name-calling and (changing sports metaphors here) step up to the plate for real, thoughtful discussion. As Bill McKeever is fond of saying, “If Mormons want to be in the religious Big Leagues they need to knock it off.”

[Terry Mross]

they believe, Joseph was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ.....

As a Christian I stopped right there. The Bible says that the next time Jesus shows up we’ll all know about it. He won’t sneak into the woods to see one man.

[circlecity]

"Mormons believe that in 1820 a young Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray."

This would be the same Joseph Smith who was a convicted con man and fraudster.

[Godzilla]

"Mormons believe that in 1820 a young Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray."

And the same smith that wrote nearly a dozen varying and contradictaory accounts of this event.

[cuban leaf]

—they believe, Joseph was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ...__

I don’t blame you for stopping right there. And I’ll give you another reason. Jesus is God made flesh. He is not “one of the manifestations” of God made Flesh. He is THE manifestation of God as human flesh.

[Georgia Girl 2]

“And the same smith that wrote nearly a dozen varying and contradictaory accounts of this event.”

Well it took awhile to come up with a version enough people would believe. LOL!!

[nonsporting]

they believe, Joseph was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ..... As a Christian I stopped right there. The Bible says that the next time Jesus shows up we’ll all know about it. He won’t sneak into the woods to see one man.

Yes, very good point. When he comes again every eye shall see him. There will be no "secret" returns.

Re 1:7* Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The Bible also says that no man has seen God (the Father) at any time. Jesus speaking:

John 1:18* No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

What's more Jesus explicitly states that God the Father is a Spirit and does not have a body of flesh.

John 4: 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24* God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Consequently Joseph Smith could not have seen God the Father. He saw a demon, an angel bringing a false gospel. The Bible warns us:

Galatians: 6* ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7* Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 9* As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

[ejonesie22]

Have we been called bigots or haters yet today for showing the truth of the LDS?

[Eldon Tyrell]

This is probably why the Left is pushing Romney -

Imagine - Romney gets the nomination - and PBS does ten shows on “the History of Joseph Smith” -

Shoot - they wouldn’t even need to lie. It would be easy character assasination.

[RobbyS]

There is a certainly similarity between Smith and Mohammed. Mohammed was acquainted with the Jews and Christians and with their divisions. He also had a visitor who set him up as the Prophet of the one true faith and the judge of all others. His religion is true, that of all others is false. Smith provoked a war with his neighbors, which is the reason he ended up dead, and his followers driven into exile. It wasn’t all the matter of polygamy. His teachings are radically different from those of traditional Christianity.

[TruConservative]

Mormons discussing how to go mainstream in early 2008: http://mormonmatters.org/2008/01/10/planet-kolob-to-mormons-its-not-our-weird-beliefs-its-our-credibility/

The planet Kolob is explained here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolob

I like that they say Abraham saw the planet Kolob through magic diamond and gold binoculars that Joseph Smith was later given: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urim_and_Thummim_(Latter_Day_Saints)

You know, I believe in freedom of religion as much as the next guy, but if Romney does run, aren’t the Dems going to make hay out of planet Kolob and the magic binoculars? Forget the theological points, Romney’s religion could make him into a laughing stock figure. From a purely practical political point of view, whether you are a Christian or not, Romeny’s religion is a dangerous political liability that will cost maybe enough of the electorate to cause Obama to win after all.

[RobbyS]

Smith’s views were more radical than those of David Koresh and we know how tolerant the government was of Koresh and his sect.

[cuban leaf]

This is, honestly, one of the pluses of a Romney candidacy. Presidential elections are, by definition, ephemeral. Eternity is, well, eternal. I mentioned this in 2007 and 2008, that if Romney ran, at least the public would get a much needed education about what mormonism really teaches. That is a VERY good thing.

In a world of freeflow information, the three mainstream religions that are going to have a tough go of it are Islam, Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses. They just don’t do well when scholarly scrutiny is applied.

[ReformationFan]

Thanks for posting this. Many Mormons need to learn their own history before they play the “victim” card every time Bible believing Christians critique LDS doctrine and history.

[SZonian]

Bookmarked.

[Jumper]

Get a Masonic (Mason) Bible, and then compare it with the John Smith versin of the Bible. Then ask the next question, e.g., why are Mormans not allowed to even research Masonic teachings. John Smith’s snake oil was taking another Bible, e.g., the Masoinc Bible and reprinting it complete with pictures.... (the Mason’s do not contend that their Bible replaces your everyday Bible, by the way).

[MHGinTN]

Popcorn placemarker with candy corn on the side

[Migraine]

There is a certainly similarity between Smith and Mohammed.

And THEN some: both prophets sat behind a curtain and dictated the words to someone on the other side; both religions have a "mecca"; both have a short list of pillars of the faith necessary for remaining "worthy"; both posit a high degree of uncertainty about about one's eternal destination, right up until the last minute.

And I think that if Mormons had their own country, they'd have turned out to be even more similar still. Their existence in the US of A put the kibosh on many of their worldly aspirations.

[Scoutmaster]

And the same smith that wrote nearly a dozen varying and contradictaory accounts of this event.

Godzilla? I think Joseph Smith, Jr. wrote only four of the accounts:

• The 1832 version, in his own handwriting (from Joseph Smith Letterbook 1, pp.2,3);
• The 1835 version (a November 9, 1835 entry in his diary);
• The 1838 version, first published in Times and Season, March 15, 1842, vol. 3, no. 10, pp. 727-728, 748-749, 753, and adopted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as the Official Version; and
• The 1844 version, in the chapter on Mormonism written by Joseph Smith for the book, An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States (edited by Daniel Rupp).

The other accounts weren't written by Joseph Smith:

• 1827, told by Joseph Smith, Sr. and Joseph Smith, Jr. to Willard Chase, and contained in Chase's 1833 affidavit;
• 1827, told by Martin Harris to given to Rev. John Clark, and published in his book Gleanings by the Way, printed in 1842, pp. 222-229;
• 1830, recounted by Joseph Smith to Peter Bauder in an interview, and then published in The Kingdom and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, printed in 1834, pp. 36-38;
• 1834/35, written by Oliver Cowery with Joseph Smith's help in the LDS periodical, LDS periodical Messenger and Advocate, Kirtland, Ohio, Dec. 1834, vol.1, no.3, as the first history of Mormonism;1835, as told by Smith to Erastus Holmes on November 14, 1835, originally published in the Deseret News of Saturday May 29, 1852; and
• 1859, by Martin Harris, in Tiffany’s Monthly, 1859, New York: Published by Joel Tiffany, vol. v.—12, pp. 163-170.

I don't consider pointing this out as "anti-Mormon." The LDS church recognizes that that Joseph Smith wrote or dictated four accounts and that they differ. Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision, which is the LDS church's official reconciliation of differences in Smith's four accounts, comes straight from the www.lds.org website. There are plenty of articles in Brigham Young University Studies and Dialogue: A journal of Mormon Thought on the multiple accounts. The multiple accounts are simply a fact. How one interprets the contradictions (or I guess whether one considers the inconsistencies as contradictions) is the theological issue, and I'm not touching that.

[DesScorp]

All denominations think other denominations are wrong. At least if they have any real faith they do.