The Mormons

by McCubbin, A. D. | Category: Spotlight On | Feb 1981

Their History

The movement was founded by a Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a prophet of God. He was born in Vermont, U.S.A. in 1805, and being brought up in poor conditions he received little education. According to his autobiography 'Pearl of Great Price', when he was 14 years old he had a divine vision in which he was told that the churches were all corrupt and their creeds were an abomination to God. Some four years later he was directed to a place where a book containing golden plates was hidden; the plates contained writings in a secret language, and he was provided with a special device for translating the writing. The book was claimed to have been written by Mormon, a descendent of some Israelites who emigrated from Jerusalem to America in about 600 B.C. The book contains an alleged early history of America, and also what is called the fulness of the everlasting gospel. After Smith had completed the translation the plates were taken away by an angel.

On the basis of this revelation the first Mormon Church was established in 1830, and became known as 'The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latterday Saints (sometimes known as LDS). Owing to opposition to their teachings they were forced to migrate westwards, where in 1844 Smith was arrested because of his behaviour, and he died in a riot in prison. He is therefore considered to be a martyr by his followers. The next leader, Brigham Young, led a trek further westwards, and established their present headquarters in Salt Lake City. Apart from their teachings they gained early notoriety by practising polygamy, which they were eventually forced to abandon by the U.S. Federal Government, but the practice is still included in their doctrines.

The movement is now headed by a president and twelve 'apostles'. They claim to have a membership of over 3 million, with temples and churches in many countries. There have been divisions among the Mormons and rival groups have been formed who all claim to follow Joseph Smith.

Their Authority

They have four guides, which are all claimed to be divinely inspired - the

Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of

Great Price. The Bible is accepted 'in so far as it has been translated correctly'. Smith provided his own version, which consisted of the Authorised Version with some lengthy additions, which even Mormons find embarrassing. Smith claimed that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book on earth, and which would bring men nearer to God than any other book (this evidently includes the Bible). Despite this claim the present Book of Mormon contains over 3,000 corrections from the original version, because of either poor grammar or inconsistencies. Considerable sections of the book have been copied almost verbatim from the A. V. of the Bible, for little apparent reason, e.g. 2 Nephi 12-24 is taken from Isaiah 2-14. Although the Book of Mormon was claimed to contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel, the subsequent Book of Doctrines and Covenants has further revelations of their teachings.

Their Teachings

It is difficult to determine their beliefs accurately because their writings contain many inconsistencies and contradictions. Thus while the Book of Mormon refers to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which is one God without end, later statements declare that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are distinct beings. Further, the Father and Son are said to have material bodies. They also claim that there are an infinite number of gods. Men are said to have had prior existence as spirits; they minimise the fall of mankind, and apparently reject the doctrine of original sin.

They discard justification by faith, and teach a universal salvation for all mankind, except for a few undefined persons called sons of perdition. They claim that there are higher degrees of salvation or exaltation, which require baptism for the forgiveness of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the laws of God. They further practise baptism for the dead, and invest their followers with an Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood.

An Assessment

Joseph Smith does not inspire much confidence by his writings. He made several incorrect prophecies, such as declaring that Christ would return within 56 years (made in 1830). He showed both supreme arrogance and ignorance in claiming to be 'the rod out of the stem of Jesse' (Is a. 11:1. AV), and also 'a pure Ephraimite'. The Book of Mormon can at best be described as a fantasy, which lacks independent evidence as to its origin. The Smithsonian Institute at Washington has said that there is no archaeological evidence for their story of early American civilizations.

Their theology is polytheistic, and their teachings vary from the bizarre to the pernicious. To claim that 'as God is, man may become' only repeats the

serpent's promise to Eve 'ye shall be as God' (Gen. 3:5).

It is not possible here to refute all their devious teachings, but they are certainly an example of what the apostle Paul called 'a different gospel' (Gal. 1:6). The Mormons claim that all other churches are false, but few sects are so completely astray from the Bible in their teachings. It is amazing how credulous people are in their readiness to accept such absurd teachings, but this has been the case since the times of the apostles. The Bible contains the complete and final revelation of God to man, through Jesus Christ, who revealed the faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints (Heb. 1:2, Jude 3).

The continued expansion of the movement is largely due to the energetic work of young missionaries who carry out systematic house visiting for a period of two years; they give the impression of a sincere and trustworthy people with a dynamic leadership. These missionaries are generally not well taught, and while they will readily claim to accept Christ as Saviour, it is evident that they have no assurance of salvation, and that their hope is based on works. In any discussions with Mormons the object should be to lead them firstly to the true teaching of salvation (Rom. 3:23-26, Eph.2:89), and a correct understanding of the Godhead (Isa. 44:6-8, Col. 1:15:16, Heb. 1:1-2), and the person of Christ(Isa. 9:6, John 1:14). Digressions into the practices of Mormonism are unlikely to be profitable.

For those who are interested in a more detailed study the following books can be recommended - 'Mormonism' by A. A. Hoekema, 'The Maze of Mormonism' by W. R. Martin, or for a very detailed criticism by exMormons, 'The Case against Mormonism' and other books by J. and S. Tanner.

McCubbin, A. D. | Feb 1981
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