Yes, as ignorant of the things of god as the brute beast journal of discourses, john taylor 3rd mormon president. We reject them because they are the byproduct of the reasoning of man attempting to understand god. Four books comprise the scriptures of the mormon church. Joseph smith stated, 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 any other book. To the casual reader, this article would appear to be a straightforward affirmation of the. So, with a proper understanding of what mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions. What is the rationale for members of the lds church to. We also believe the book of mormon to be the word of god. In a video from 2012, the mormon politician mitt romney explains his own separation between church and state on abortion, comparing it to mormon views on alcohol. Check out this brandnew footage from apologia churchs evangelism and outreach at the mormon temple in mesa, arizona.
Upon first glance, the book of mormon appears rather unthreatening. Should a christian pray about the book of mormon to see if it is true. Aug 26, 20 the articles of faith is a short doctrinal statement that is part of the pearl of great price, one of the scriptures of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Elder price and elder cunningham terrific international leads. While kimballs book is not scripture, he did utilize his churchs scriptures throughout to support his teaching. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene.
Third, the book of mormon abounds in textual errors, factual errors, and outright plagiarisms from other works. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason. Smith endowed the book of mormon with status equal to the bible. Another testament of jesus christ, which is an english translation from the golden plates that was first published in 1830. This decade has been called, the mormon moment, the time that americas largest homegrown religion finally comes into its own as a part of the christian tapestry. Evangelicals have always been fascinated by mormon beliefs that the. Pastor jeff durbin speaks to someone who claims to have left the latterday.
We believe in god, the eternal father, and in his son, jesus christ, and in the holy ghost. Feb 05, 2017 the book of mormon is a comingofage story of two young, extremely likeable mormons on their mission to spread the lords word. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. Mormonism and christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. As affirmed by the lord, there are many things engraven. The book of mormon is crude, offensive and shocking. Free book of mormon meet with missionaries find a church email get a book of mormon. Typically bound in a blue leather cover with the name inscribed in gold it resembles many bibles.
Christians in the book of mormon scriptural teachings. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. The christian bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. May 27, 2002 mormons claim the book of mormon is the most perfect book ever written. Mar 17, 2020 we dont reject them for being post biblical. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up. According to the lds church, adam and eve lived in jackson. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. The book of mormon is said to have been discovered and translated by the mormon prophet joseph smith in the early 1800s.
The book of mormon the bible family is forever purpose of life coming closer to god jesus christs church forgiveness life after death baptism temples healthy living belong worship services people and programs missionaries. Another testament of jesus christ which claims to be a. Easter what is the significance of easter for mormons lds. Christianity christians hold that the bible is the sole infallible authority for life and faith. Orthodox christian views of god are pagan rather than christian mormon doctrine of deity, b. Ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical terminology and have similar views about the nature of jesus atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming as traditional christianity. Protestants arent immune either, even if this is the book of mormon. Learn about the savior, jesus christ, and how the basic beliefs of his gospel can enrich our lives. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims. Pages nonbusiness places religious place of worship church christian church faith.
Topofmind associations with the mormon religion include polygamy, salt lake city, and. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. According to, christians are converting to the mormon religion in increasing numbers because of blurred lines. Oct 05, 2012 and after expressing big disapproval over big love, church leaders shifted strategies and met the hit musical, the the book of mormon, with bemused acceptance, praising it for really nailing the mormon sweetness, niceness, and sense of dogooderness, and filling theater programs with their own advertisements. Soon after the book of mormon was published in 1830, the prophet and his followers organized the church of christ, an ecclesiastical institution that differed from all other christian churches at. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine. Three difficult questions for mormons catholic answers. The issue then quickly descends into whether or not the book of mormon could possibly be an authentic ancient record. Orthodox christian views of god are pagan rather than christian. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. The first concerns many lds beliefs that separate them from historical, orthodox christianity. My experience is that the vast majority of adult latterday saints own the book or, at the very least, have read it. Other similar quotes from mormon sources follow below.
Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. Those most negative toward mormons include liberals, protestants, and those who attend church most frequently. Top of mind associations with the mormon religion include polygamy, salt lake city, and various aspects of mormon doctrine and beliefs. The name mormons is simply no longer a name for them. In the first chapter of our new book answering mormons questions kregel, 20, we explain why the answer is no. The articles of faith is a short doctrinal statement that is part of the pearl of great price, one of the scriptures of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Early christian views of god were more personal, more anthropomorphic, and less abstract than those that emerged later from the creeds written over the next several hundred years. The king james bible and the book of mormon religious. The book of mormon is a dangerous book because it seems like its wholly christian but is a lure to get you involved indoctrinated so the lds can feel safe enough to start teaching you their radical beliefs. Things get even trickier when god or faith are the subjects of ridicule in a show, like in the smash hit musical the book of mormon, which, in chicago, has ticket demand for a tour stop through september.
What is the rationale for members of the lds church to deride. Another major difference between mormonism and christian orthodoxy involves their views of jesus. In fact, mormon beliefs and the beliefs of most other sects of christianity, even traditional christianity, differ only on two important points whether jesus christ was a created being, and whether a belief in the trinity god, christ, and the holy ghost being of the same substance and god being incorporeal is necessary to be called a christian. One heavenly kingdom the new heavens and new earth with varying degrees of rewards. Mormonism is a christian restorationist religious movement that was founded by joseph smith. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Joseph responded to such criticism by affirming an angel had guided him to an ancient record, which. Shifting sexual mores have made mormon polygamy and sacred undergarments a matter more of. The mormon view of heaven and hell the bottomline guide. And there are also many other things which jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, i suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be writt. Mar 02, 20 ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. Sexuality has a prominent role within the theology of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which teaches that gender is defined in the premortal existence, and that part of the purpose of mortal life is for men and women to be sealed together, forming bonds that allow them to progress eternally together in the afterlife.
Mormons read the christian bible king james translation or kjv and the book of mormon. The english book of mormon uses the term christian four times. Following is a comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. The power and the promise, revised and updated edition. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The relationship between the king james bible and the book of mormon is a strong one in terms of language and cadence and a powerful one in terms of covenantal theme. The reality is that in our western context, christianity and any similar belief system is going to be poked at and shot down. When i learned the above i was very upset because my mother was a strong woman and a wonderful christian and had as much to say and do about family matters, though her and my fathers roles were different, and we all knew and accepted that. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. Mar 07, 2017 in a video from 2012, the mormon politician mitt romney explains his own separation between church and state on abortion, comparing it to mormon views on alcohol.
The book of mormon is a comingofage story of two young, extremely likeable mormons on their mission to spread the lords word. Mormonism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Compared to the bible, the book of mormon gives a greater view of jesus christ and his atonement. The book of mormon proclaims itself another testament of jesus christ. Together with the old and new testaments, the book of mormon supports an unequivocal testimony of jesus christ. During this show, one may find the grounds teeming with mormon missionaries. Mar 02, 2007 americans are slightly more likely to have an unfavorable rather than a favorable opinion of the mormon religion. The book of mormon refers in several passages to god, christ, and the. What is a biblical perspective on the book of mormon. Apparently, in more recent years, when lds leaders realized that this was offending christians, they began presenting the christian view of easter. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. Book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. Aug 08, 2012 the latterday saint canon consists of four books.
Devil, the the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. Even before the book of mormon came off the press in 1830, newspaper articles criticized the book and its translator, joseph smith. Mar 28, 2018 check out this brandnew footage from apologia churchs evangelism and outreach at the mormon temple in mesa, arizona. According to smith, god the father and jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that the christian church had been corrupted and they were giving him a new revelation so that he might lead the church back into the truth. Mar 12, 2020 at the very last verse from the gospel of john, we read. Most christian apologists see mormonism as a christian heresy that takes core aspects of christian doctrine but twists them beyond recognition by adding in new teachings that smith claimed to have learned when he found mormon scriptures buried in western new york. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. How does the mormon church really view other churches. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. The mormon view of the trinity the bottomline guide to.
Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to know. At first glance the book of mormon appears to be biblical in heft and style. Here are nine things you should know about mormon beliefs. Americans are slightly more likely to have an unfavorable rather than a favorable opinion of the mormon religion. Each reads very much like the bible in type and breadth of thematic concerns and literary forms history, law, psalm.
At the very last verse from the gospel of john, we read. Feb 03, 2020 while kimballs book is not scripture, he did utilize his churchs scriptures throughout to support his teaching. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. We debated things like the nature of jesus, the trinity, the gospel and other prominent issues pertaining. His position in the church is greater than anyone who would dare criticize his views. The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe ministries. To establish doctrine and to understand the biblical text, latterday saints turn to living prophets and to additional books of scripture. Examining the book of mormon a christian view the mormon story some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. The main purpose after all seems to be to draw nonmormons. The following essay was published in january 2014 under the gospel topics section on the lds church website. Even some lds quirks seem to be turning into positives.
Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. One reason may be that the moment latterday saints cite the book of mormon as evidence of their christian faith, animosity arises against the possibility that there could be any canon of scripture beyond the holy bible. These documents were not revealed by god to his appointed prophet and contain errors regarding true. The lds church recognizes four main texts as divinely inspired and authoritative scripture. The mormon view of jesus christ mormonism, the mormon. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price. It will become very obvious that mormonism does not agree with the bible. Home examining the book of mormon a christian view, may 27, 2002 april 15, 2015. The book of mormon was first translated in 1830 into the english of the kjv bible and subsequently translated from english into other languages around the world.
Allow me a chance to respond, with the original full article underlined and my response following. Statement by the catholic church on the lds mormon church. In fact, mormonism uses the same words found in christianity, but it redefines them. Three heavenly kingdoms celestial, terrestrial, and telestial all saved people will live forever in the presence of god the father. There is also a reference to christian whitmer, a nineteenth century witness to the book of mormon plates. For the latterday saint, this recognition is both a blessing and a warning.
When i learned the above i was very upset because my mother was a strong woman and a wonderful christian and had as. If you are a mormon and your religion and its history are important to you, stay homethere isnt any part of it that isnt mocked. Despite these beliefs, many critics of mormonism charge that we do. Soon after the book of mormon was published in 1830, the prophet and his followers organized the church of christ, an ecclesiastical institution that. For many years, members of the church were known as mormons by those who were not members.
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