MORMON CHURCH-- IS IT OF GOD OR A CULT?

WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT THE MORMON CHURCH? IS IT A CULT?

ONE WAY to determine if a “church” is a cult or if it is of GOD is to search scripture and compare their STATEMENT OF BELIEFS to the new testament scriptures.

Since there is much discussion on this subject we will list their statement of beliefs and compare them scripture to determine which they actually are by their own beliefs vs scripture.

You can check my statements here for validity as all are copied directly from the lds official website. www.lds.org

Articles of Faith

Copied directly from the official website of the lds (mormon) church with my comments added in italics with scripture.

Written in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, these 13 statements explain the basic doctrines and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Summarized here, the Articles of Faith state Mormon beliefs:

1. We believe in God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost.

   Many say that, scripture says we will know them by their fruit. We will check their fruit as we go on. Fruit includes faithful adherance to scripture.

1. That men will be punished only for their own sins and not for Adam’s transgression.

   ok

1. That through Christ’s Atonement, we can be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

   Scripture tells us that salvation is a free gift, we follow the rules set down by Jesus in the new testament as a sign of our love and appreciation after we have received Christ as our Savior. You cannot buy or earn your salvation but you can give it up.

1. That faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, confirmation, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost are all necessary for salvation

   I find repentance, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit but do not find a thing called “confirmation”. Why do we need to be confirmed, God says if we ask for bread He will not give us a stone. Is this an impartation from men to be sure you receive their doctrine?

1. That leaders and teachers in the Church must be chosen and ordained by priesthood power.

   The scriptures say different. Scripture says there is one High Priest and He ordains those SERVANTS OF HIS, but men ordain men into the organizations of men. Scripture says there is no clergy/laity but men make distinctions for power and control.

   1 Cor 11:3-4 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

1. That Christ’s Church today is organized as it was when He first established it.

   What does this even mean? Timothy tells us about this and there are NO LEADERS shown there only SERVANT MINISTERS FULFILLING THE ministries appointed to men without titles. The kingdom of God is not an organization, it is relationship bringing us into a oneness with His Spirit. All belonging to the Kingdom of God are of

one Spirit with God.

1. In modern-day revelation and priesthood healing and blessing.

This one makes no sense at all. There is no priesthood/ clergy it was of the law and

was finished and done away with at the cross. There is no new revelation.

1. That the Bible and Book of Mormon are both divinely revealed scripture.

   Scripture negates this see book of mormon below. The book of mormon is specifically listed in scripture as not of God.

1. That God has communicated with and will continue to communicate with humankind.

   But He communicates through the Holy Spirit direct, no human middle man, Jesus is the Only middle man between man and God.

   John 14:26-27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

1. In the literal gathering of Israel and the restoration of the ten tribes, and that Zion will be built on the American continent when Christ reigns on the earth.

   Scripture says the righteous will inherit the earth and after the judgement there will instantly be a new heaven and earth and all who belong to Christ will inherit it. There is no mention of any continent , there are no seas and scripture does not say what form they take so this false information.

   Rev 21:1-5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

1. In worshipping God according to our own dictates and allowing others to do likewise.

   Wow! Scripture warns against doing this but you claim it as a scriptural attribute? We must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Matt 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You

shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the

Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and

those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Mark 16:15-17 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every

creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be

condemned.

1. In sustaining the laws and leaders of the land.

   I honestly have no idea what this means but it is not found in scripture.

1. In being “honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.”

These would come under the umbrella of good things, but many non Christians do these

things so they are not a measure by themselves.

What is the Book of Mormon? Copied directly from lds website

The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

NOTE: For many years they advertised it on television as “ another gospel of Jesus Christ” but because so many people realized it was a direct contradiction to scripture, they renamed it. And it also said the same thing on its cover.

The book itself currently says it is “another testament of Jesus Christ”. (4/12/2017) Of course it is always subject to change by order of the current “apostles of the mormon church”

Clearly God in His infinite wisdom foresaw joseph smith meeting with an angel supposedly from heaven and warned us SPECIFICALLY against this false doctrine. This is certainly a scripture proof that this book, written in 1842 by a man under the influence of a false “angel” named moroni , and subject to change as the current “church elders” deem necessary is not equal to the scriptures written by SERVANTS anointed by God and NEVER CHANGES. I also believe the name of the “angel” is very significant. God will not be mocked.

You can check out the book of mormon here to check my statements

www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

Another excerpt from their official website

Today, as prophet, seer, and revelator, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds all of the priesthood keys to prayerfully discern and reveal God’s words. This is how God leads and directs His children—through divine guidance they lead. Understanding the current needs of the Church membership is an ongoing process, and from worldwide general conferences to meetings of local congregations, inspired leaders seek God’s inspiration at every step. They search the foundational revelations that are found in ancient and modern scriptures, they discuss important matters in councils, and they prayerfully seek confirmation from God through the Holy Ghost as they govern and guide. e guidance. Many spiritual gifts are given to others as well, at all levels of Christ’s Church—from the individual to his or her own family to those in senior leadership roles. Members of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, and stake presidents and bishops each receive inspiration appropriate for their “stewardship,” or for the people

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

1 Cor 15:24-28 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

If, as scripture says, God has given “all authority on heaven and earth to His Son The real Jesus Christ” until the judgement at the end of this age how then can mortal men claim to have this authority that the mormon church says belongs to their leaders now? THEY CANNOT AND ANYONE THAT BELIEVES THEM IS DECEIVED AND FOLLOWING A FAKE JESUS. DO NOT BE DECEIVED

.

Mark 13:5-7 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many.

This could certainly go on for many hundred pages. In fact there is a book with great detail about the secret inner working of the lds, called “the god makers”. Like swearing on your life your commitment to the lds, special undergarments that must always be worn and hundreds of more foolish things that are required to be allowed into the secret inner mormon church.

But if this is not enough to convince you that THE MORMON CHURCH (lds) IS A CULT then you need to read their website and compare what they teach with scripture, they DO NOT FOLLOW SCRIPTURE, THEY FOLLOW MEN, THEIR DOCTRINES ARE FLUID AND CHANGE BUT GOD'S DOCTRINE NEVER CHANGES. There are no secrets in the (ekklesia) real church of Jesus Christ, no secret handshakes, no special undergarments, no buildings called “church”, no special men (all are equal, some have more responsibility to SERVE, just pure scripture truth and love residing in His people, all of whom are of One Spirit. No person that has not become of One Spirit with Jesus Christ will enter the Kingdom of God—ever.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED. FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT . NEVER FOLLOW MAN.

1 Thess 5:21-22 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.