MORMONISMMORMONISM

ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST?JESUS CHRIST?

OUTLINEOUTLINE

HistoryHistory The Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon Mormon TeachingsMormon Teachings EvangelismEvangelism

Joseph SmithJoseph Smith

DivinerDiviner Treasure Treasure

HunterHunter Religious Religious

FraudFraud

Early HistoryEarly History

1823 A visit by the angel Moroni1823 A visit by the angel Moroni You will be given golden plates on the hill CumorahYou will be given golden plates on the hill Cumorah

1827 Dug up golden plates. Written in “Reformed Egyptian.”1827 Dug up golden plates. Written in “Reformed Egyptian.”

Used the “Urrim and the Thummim” with his head in a hat to Used the “Urrim and the Thummim” with his head in a hat to translate the Book of Mormon.translate the Book of Mormon.

Conveniently, God took the golden plates back to heaven.Conveniently, God took the golden plates back to heaven.

The Hill Cumorah

““His translation complete, Joseph had one further use for His translation complete, Joseph had one further use for the golden plates. To assure skeptics that the plates did, the golden plates. To assure skeptics that the plates did, indeed exist, he showed them toindeed exist, he showed them to several trusted witnesses, several trusted witnesses, who signed statements affirming that they had beheld the who signed statements affirming that they had beheld the plates. In preparation for viewing the plates, the chosen plates. In preparation for viewing the plates, the chosen witnesses prayed for several hours. After lengthy praying, witnesses prayed for several hours. After lengthy praying, one witness reported that he saw only an empty box. one witness reported that he saw only an empty box. Joseph sent him out for additional prayer, after which the Joseph sent him out for additional prayer, after which the golden plates were fully visible to the witness.”golden plates were fully visible to the witness.”

Later, all these witnesses became apostate to Mormonism.Later, all these witnesses became apostate to Mormonism.

Understanding MormonismUnderstanding Mormonism

This is my testimony…..This is my testimony…..

Emotion-based religion.Emotion-based religion.

Mormons are, arguably, the most Christian-like Mormons are, arguably, the most Christian-like group around, and they know it.group around, and they know it.

WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESSWANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS

Palmyra, New YorkPalmyra, New York Kirtland, OhioKirtland, Ohio Independence, MissouriIndependence, Missouri Nauvoo, IllinoisNauvoo, Illinois Salt Lake Valley, UtahSalt Lake Valley, Utah

JOSEPH SMITH AND SIDNEY JOSEPH SMITH AND SIDNEY RIGDONRIGDON

General Joseph Smith

BRIGHAM YOUNGBRIGHAM YOUNG

The Mormon ScriptureThe Mormon Scripture

The Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon

A grade B religious fantasy A grade B religious fantasy about the Jaredites and the about the Jaredites and the Nephites.Nephites.

The Pearl of Great Price with The Pearl of Great Price with the Doctrine and the the Doctrine and the Covenants.Covenants.

The Bible, “so long as it is The Bible, “so long as it is correctly translated.”correctly translated.”

Mormon 8:18 “Don’t demand Mormon 8:18 “Don’t demand

to see the plates or you will be to see the plates or you will be killed.”killed.”

Did Jesus come to the New World?

Statements by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Geographic Society:

•"The Smithsonian Institution has never used the Book of Mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the New World and the subject matter of the Book."

Official Statement, 1979

•"Neither representatives of the National Geographic Society nor, to my knowledge, archaeologists connected with any other institution or equal prestige have ever used the Book of Mormon in locating historic ruins in Middle America or elsewhere." Dr. Neal Judd

MORMON TEACHINGSMORMON TEACHINGS The Latter Day SaintsThe Latter Day Saints Modern-day revelationModern-day revelation We are all godsWe are all gods PolygamyPolygamy RacismRacism Baptism for the deadBaptism for the dead

Scriptures to bear in mind: Galatians 1:6-9, Scriptures to bear in mind: Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12, 1 John 2:18-23.2 Thessalonians 2:5-12, 1 John 2:18-23.

The Latter Day SaintsThe Latter Day Saints The original church completely fell away with the The original church completely fell away with the

death of the original apostles. There was no death of the original apostles. There was no legitimate church for about 1700 years.legitimate church for about 1700 years.

““This is my testimony, Joseph Smith is a prophet This is my testimony, Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon is the Word of God.”and the Book of Mormon is the Word of God.”

We are all gods.We are all gods. The Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are The Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are

three separate gods.three separate gods.

Mormonism is polytheism.Mormonism is polytheism.

““I will preach on the plurality of gods. I have always declared God I will preach on the plurality of gods. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods.” personages and three Gods.” Teachings of Joseph Smith, Teachings of Joseph Smith, p. 370p. 370..

From Joseph Smith’s most famous sermon: “God himself was From Joseph Smith’s most famous sermon: “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!... I am going to tell you how God came to be yonder heavens!... I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil so that you eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil so that you may see… He was once a man like us; yea that God himself, the may see… He was once a man like us; yea that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did.himself did.

PolygamyPolygamy A new revelation against polygamy by the Utah church 1890A new revelation against polygamy by the Utah church 1890

Joseph Smith had at least 30 wives, some less than 15 yrs. Joseph Smith had at least 30 wives, some less than 15 yrs. old and took many other women as well.old and took many other women as well.

Celestial marriages.Celestial marriages.

When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wivesone of his wives, with him. , with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Ancient of Days! About whom holy men have written and spoken—Ancient of Days! About whom holy men have written and spoken—He is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have He is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do.” to do.” Journal of DiscoursesJournal of Discourses vol 1, p 50. vol 1, p 50.

““The grand reason why the Gentiles and philosophers of his school The grand reason why the Gentiles and philosophers of his school persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives; there persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives; there were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a host of others who followed him.”were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a host of others who followed him.”

RacismRacism Mormons 5:15 “Indians are dark filthy and loathsome.”Mormons 5:15 “Indians are dark filthy and loathsome.”

1 Nephi 11:13 “dark people are sinful.”1 Nephi 11:13 “dark people are sinful.”

2 Nephi 5:21 “Dark skin are loathsome. Those who marry 2 Nephi 5:21 “Dark skin are loathsome. Those who marry dark skinned are cursed.”dark skinned are cursed.”

Officially renounced by new revelation in 1978.Officially renounced by new revelation in 1978.

Other interesting doctrinesOther interesting doctrines

Baptism for the deadBaptism for the dead

Modern-day priesthood of MelchizedekModern-day priesthood of Melchizedek

Baptism in the name of Jesus preached to the Nephites Baptism in the name of Jesus preached to the Nephites several hundred years BC. A very confused idea of several hundred years BC. A very confused idea of covenants.covenants.

The Salt Lake City Temple

REACHING OUT TO MORMONSREACHING OUT TO MORMONS

This is my testimony….. Emotion This is my testimony….. Emotion vs reason.vs reason.

Do not attack Joseph Smith Do not attack Joseph Smith personallypersonally

Friendship/familyFriendship/family Study on “Covenants” Joe FieldsStudy on “Covenants” Joe Fields

Study #1 The Word of GodStudy #1 The Word of GodWhat books are identified as the words of God? 2 Nephi 29:13

“…words of the Jews” (Old Testament)“…words of the list tribes of Israel” (Lost book?)“…words of the Nephites” (Book of Mormon)

What does “they both shall be established in one” mean? 1 Nephi 13:41

What are “the plain and precious things” that were taken from the Bible?(1 Nephi 13:28) Please be specific.

Do the Bible and the Book of Mormon have to be in harmony with each other?

What are “the two sticks?” in Ezekiel 37:15-22?

What version of the Bible do you accept as the inspired word of God?

Does God’s word in the Book of Mormon ever contradict God’s word in the Bible?

Would there ever be any reason to reject the Bible as God’s word?

Study #2 Infinite and Eternal Atonement Study #2 Infinite and Eternal Atonement Alma 34:14 / Hebrews 10:1Alma 34:14 / Hebrews 10:1

 Book of Mormon Mosiah 16:14 (148 BC)2 Nephi 25:24-27 (545 BC)Alma 33:19-22 (74 BC)Mosiah 12:31-13:28 (148 BC)Alma 25:15 (77 BC)

Book of Mormon Mosiah 4:2,3 (124 BC)Jacob 4:11 (421 BC)Jarom 1:11 (399 BC)Jacob 7 (421 BC)Alma 7:14 (83 BC)

The Old Testament Genesis 12:3 (1500 BC)Numbers 21:4-9 (1500 BC)Isaiah 53:4-7 (701 BC)Exodus 12:1 (1500 BC)Leviticus 4 (1500 BC) (Hebrews 10:1, Galatians 3:24)

The New Testament Galatians 3:8 (AD 49)John 3:14, 12:32 (AD 85-90)1 Peter 2:21-25 (AD 64)1 Corinthians 5:7 (AD 54)Hebrews 9 (AD 60-69) (Galatians 3:19,23, Colossians 2:14)

Atonement Shadow Atonement Applied

Study #2 (cont.)Study #2 (cont.) The MysteryThe Mystery

Ephesians 1:9,10 The mystery….to be put into Ephesians 1:9,10 The mystery….to be put into effect when the times have reached their effect when the times have reached their fulfillmentfulfillment

Ephesians 3:3-5 The mystery….which was not Ephesians 3:3-5 The mystery….which was not make known to men in other generationsmake known to men in other generations

Ephesians 3:6 The mystery….the gospel….the Ephesians 3:6 The mystery….the gospel….the promise in Christ Jesuspromise in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 3:9 The mystery, which for ages past Ephesians 3:9 The mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God.was kept hidden in God.

Study #3 The Plan of Study #3 The Plan of RedemptionRedemption

Atonement in Christ before the foundation of the worldAtonement in Christ before the foundation of the world

 

 

Law of Moses 1500-400 BC

Leviticus 16 Animal SacrificesExodus 20:8 Keep the Sabbath

New Testament after AD 30

Hebrews 9:11-14 When Christ cameColossians 2:14-16 Canceled the written codeJohn 3:16 Belief in ChristRomans 3:25 Atonement in ChristActs 2:38 Baptism into ChristActs 11:26 Becoming a Christian

Book of Mormon

Jarom 1:5,11 Law of Moses / Sabbath 399 BC 2 Nephi 25:24-27 Belief in Christ 545 BCMosiah 4:2 Atonement Applied 124 BC Alma 7:14 Baptism for Remission of Sin 83 BCAlma 46:15 Christian 73 BC

Study #3 (cont.)Study #3 (cont.)

What arrangement did God make for atonement under the Law of Moses?

What did the Nephites command in regard to atonement?

What event fulfilled the Law of Moses?

Study #3 (cont.) Plan of RedemptionStudy #3 (cont.) Plan of Redemption

The Partiarchs Mt Sinai Law of Moses The Cross New Testament

Adam/Eve Ex 20 Ten Commandments 2 Cor 3:6 Spirit of LawCain/Abel Nu 3:19 Temple/Priesthood 2 Pet 2:5 All BelieversNoah/Ark Animal Sacrifices Heb 10:8-10 CrucifixionAbraham/Isaac/Jacob

Were Those under the Law of Moses required to build an ark?

Was Noah required to offer animal sacrifices for sin?

Are Christians required to keep the Law of Moses?

Were those under the Law of Moses required to accept the Atonement of Christ?