Can anyone truely prove to me that being a mormon makes you a cult member?

Question

Can you back it up with references in the bible?
Do you even know that much about Mormons?
Does anyone (nonmormon) even know what are church is acctually called?
Have you ever prayed to know if it is true?
Do you believe everything said about Mormons because 99% of it is false?

Answer 1

If Mormonism were a cult, it would have died a few years after Joseph Smith did. That is the primary definition of a cult, that the members worship the leader of that cult.



As a lifelong Mormon, I know that there never has been or ever will be a member who worships Joseph Smith or any of the modern or ancient prophets. We worship Jesus Christ, and know that we cannot be saved without Him.



Don't overly concern yourself with the criticisms of the uninformed and misled people on Y!A. As Reed Smoot, an apostle in the 20th century said: rumors [and lies] are like a hornet. Either kill them quick or just ignore them.

Answer 2

Can anyone truely prove to me that being a mormon makes you a cult member?

Cult is purely subjective, what one person might describe as a cult, another would not. That is why nobody thinks they are in a cult, even if they are (and I'm not saying you are).



Can you back it up with references in the bible?

I guess that would be a resounding no, since I believe neither in the Bible nor the Book of Mormon.



Do you even know that much about Mormons?

I know a lot more about the LDS church than do most LDS/Mormons.



Does anyone (nonmormon) even know what are church is acctually called?

Well I am an exmormon, so I don't know if I count, but it is officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. I think it is funny how LDS/Mormons hate being called "Mormon" and are quick to point out that is a nickname, but when people talk about polygamy and how mormons (fundamentalists) practice it, all of the sudden they want to claim being Mormon so they can say that they don't practice it (but they do still believe in it).



Have you ever prayed to know if it is true?

Yes. I wanted it to be true so bad, so it wasn't too surprising when I got that good feeling the missionaries told me about. Basically they told me what to expect, so I willed it on myself.



Do you believe everything said about Mormons because 99% of it is false?

Joseph Smith was a polygamist who married two 14 year olds when he was in his 30s.

Kinderhook plates.

The indians and DNA.

Mountain Meadows Massacre.

The LDS church wouldn't let blacks have the priesthood because of the color of their skin until 1978.

Shall I continue.

Answer 3

The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints? It's no more a cult than Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc., etc. They just like to pick on the new kids on the block. It's all about numbers. If the Mormon church gets bad publicity, then less people will maybe look into it and decide to convert. (Not saying they will, but imagine the horror of finding out that your child has converted from some other christian religion. I know the mere thought probably gives Baptists the screaming me-me's.)



Thanks to Mr. Long-winded (bwtur88) there I now know more about the Mormon church than I ever really cared to know. If I was every to suddenly decide that I need religion in my life, he's made the Mormon church sound pretty good. Thanks.

Answer 4

CULTS are called such because they have teachings by people in their beliefs that they feel override the Old & New Testamants(Bible). Usually it's additional rules, practices, legalisms.

Christians beleive the only true authority is the Bible..so this is the division on what is & isn't a cult.

Church of the Latter Day Saints. Do I beleive LDS(Mormons) are a cult? Yes. Do I think some

Mormons are Christain? YES!



http://www.allaboutcults.org/

Answer 5

What I know about Mormons:

-Founded by Joseph Smith, who claimed to be a shamanistic seer that could find "treasure"- after a vision he claimed to have found a book made of golden plates, which is supposedly the word of God, and tells about the prophet Mormon and the story of the founding of the Church (I have been told, I never read it?)

-They believe Christ visited America in the time between his death and Resurrection to soothe the conflict between Isreali tribes...

-As far as I know, its divided into several "movements" after Joseph Smith died, but the main Mormon church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

-They believe, "in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."



Second Question- no, I can't back it up with references from the bible because I'm not Christian.

Third and Fourth question- Yes, mentioned above

Fifth question- No, I've never prayed for Mormons, they are voluntarily in their own situation and I don't really want to join them, all the Mormons I know look kind of blank and brainwashed and it creeps me out.

Sixth Question- Most of what I know about Mormons was told to me by Mormons themselves or historians. I surely hope 99% of it isn't false. I am not judgemental nor do I make generalizations about a group without facts... like you? : )



Can you prove that Mormons AREN'T part of a cult? Dictionary says that a cult is:



1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.

3. the object of such devotion.

4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.

7. the members of such a religion or sect.



Is there any of this that DOESN'T describe your church? : )

Answer 6

Signs of a cult,

1.There is an authority who you have to be accountable to

2.No tolerance for critical questions, you must believe what is taught

3.Finances are kept to a low disclosure

4.Fear of the outside world such as an impending doom, like talking about the end of times and punishment for those who don't believe

5.You are told that it is wrong or evil to leave and consequences will result such as being dissowned by family

6.Former members of the cult have similar stories about their grievances

7.Followers feel that they aren't worthy at times

8.The authority leaders are always right

9.They claim that they have exclusive knowledge of the "truth"



the lists goes on but this is a basic idea of a cult, so if there is nothing familiar there to you then Mormons aren't a cult, I hope this has helped you

Answer 7

I have witnessed to many mormans and have made them think. I hope you can see the deception you have been taught from a very early age that what you believe is true. Have you ever really considdered what the truth is for yourself, instead of just believing someone else. Now you asked to be shown in the BIBLE that mormanism is a cult. In Galations chapter 1 verse 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. 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. When we want to make a point in America, we make the letters big, or put an !!! behind the word or phrase, but Jewish people write whatever they want to emphesize twice. Now didn't Joseph Smith recieve just that from the angel moroni. Also just the simple fact of saying JESUS CHRIST is the brother of satan, that is the biggest blasphemy of them all in 1 John 1 John 5:7, and the Gospel of John 1:1 where John talkes about the WORD, and the WORD that is GOD, you be the judge. The BIBLE also says that anyone that denies the LORDSHIP of JESUS CHRIST, is also to be accursed. I have also know that mormans think the BIBLE is full of mistakes, and has been tampered with by man. In 2 Tim. 3:16 all scripture is given by inspiration of GOD... I really can't understand why mormans take scripture out of contex all the time. I hope this has been helpful to you, and I hope you will accept JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR. Please examine all of this stuff yourself, and stop just letting others tell you what it means. Please try this, Pray and ask the LORD JESUS CHRIST to show you what the BIBLE says before you read it. GET rid of the priorer things you have been taught, and ask GOD to reveal these things to you. I hope you find the

WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE, and now one comes to the FATHER except through JESUS CHRIST. John 14:6.

Answer 8

cult - n.

- a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.



If this is the case... then my local garden club is a cult...



It's important to point out where the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" seems to contradict the Bible; but first, we'll go over where Mormonism seems to contradict itself:



The Book of Mormon says, "there is only one God", Mormonism teaches "there are many gods" (Mosiah 15:1-5, Alma 11:28, 2 Nephi 31:21, Journal of Discourses, Smith, Vol.6, pag..5).



The Book of Mormon says, "the Trinity is one God", Mormonism teaches, "the Trinity is 3 separate gods" (Alma 11:44, Mosiah 15:5, 2 Nephi 31:21, Articles of Faith,Talmage, pag.35, 1985).



The Book says, "polygamy condemned", but polygamy was taught and practiced, even by Smith and Brigham Young, (Jacob 1:15, 2:23-31, Ether 10:5,7, Mosiah 11:2,4, Journal of Discourses, Young, Vol.3, p.266). In fact, I read that Brigham Young was quoted as saying, "he who rejects the doctrine of polygamy shall be condemned." Condemned for what? Marrying one person instead of 2 or 10?



At least 12 essential Mormon doctrines are not found in the Book of Mormon: The Church organization, the Aaronic priesthood, Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, men my become gods, the pre-existing doctrine, the 3 degrees of glory in heaven, eternal progression, God is an exalted man, plurality of gods, plurality of wives doctrine, Word of Wisdom.



Mormonism also seems to deny some of the essential doctrines of Christianity, including: 1) the deity of Christ, 2) salvation by grace, and 3) the bodily resurrection of Christ.



Is this not true? If so, please inform AND EXPLAIN (in other words, facts instead of opinion) because I would like to know.

Answer 9

In religion and sociology, a cult is a term designating a cohesive group of people (generally, but not exclusively a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be outside the mainstream.



Official definition of 'cult'. So that applies to every religion ever somewhere on Earth where it's not the dominant religion - and no religion is dominant everywhere.



How many other gods have YOU prayed to, just in case you might be wrong? Hint: there are more than 10,000 gods worshipped in history.



Everything I know about Mormanism comes from the guy in my office. He's very nice. Just very strange and has a lot of strange ideas. But very nice.

Answer 10

Mormons are not really a cult in the regular American definition of the word.



Often, a religion can't really be said to be "a cult" or "not a cult," but rather somewhere in between on the scale. The higher on the scale, the more danger you're in.



Here is a VERY useful tool that can be used to determine where a religion falls on the cult scale, based on 18 criteria:

Answer 11

Signs of a cult,

1.There is an authority who you have to be accountable to

2.No tolerance for critical questions, you must believe what is taught

3.Finances are kept to a low disclosure

4.Fear of the outside world such as an impending doom, like talking about the end of times and punishment for those who don't believe

5.You are told that it is wrong or evil to leave and consequences will result such as being dissowned by family

6.Former members of the cult have similar stories about their grievances

7.Followers feel that they aren't worthy at times

8.The authority leaders are always right

9.They claim that they have exclusive knowledge of the "truth"



Put yourself in the place of the Pharisees. Now, you are looking at this small group following that upstart Jesus of Nazareth.



See? I have just proven, from the Bible, that we are a "cult". Of course, the REAL definition of "cult" according to whomever came up with these signs of a cult is



cult: n., church I don't like and don't believe, that I want others to fear and hate as much as I do.

Answer 12

Where is the word cult in the bible? Cult is a term used to describe a certain thing:





The Merriam-Webster online dictionary lists five different meanings of the word "cult" 32.



1. Formal religious veneration

2. A system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents;

3. A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents;

4. A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator;

5. Great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book).



The Random House Unabridged Dictionary definitions are:



1. A particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies;

2. An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers;

3. The object of such devotion;

4. A group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc;

5. Group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols;

6. A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader;

7. The members of such a religion or sect;

8. Any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.



For authoritative British usage, the Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English definitions of "cult" and "sect" are:



cult[2]



1 a system of religious worship directed towards a particular figure or object.

2 a small religious group regarded as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.

3 something popular or fashionable among a particular section of society.



sect[3]



1 a group of people with different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong.

2 a group with extreme or dangerous philosophical or political ideas.



Are Mormons in a cult? Read and you be the judge..

Answer 13

The Mormons deny the divinity of Jesus Christ(they do not believe that Jesus is God.



They also teach that as God is...man may become...



These are only 2 doctrines that separate Mormon theology from that of main stream Christianity.There are many many more that you probably are not even aware of.

Answer 14

You won't find any specifc Cult definition in any religious text, as that's what defines them in the first place. Here's eight. You figure it out:



Environment control. ‘Cults’ control the environment around recruits in a number of ways. most always using some form of isolation. They can be physically separated from society or they can be warned to stay away from media that might provoke critical thinking. Any book, movie, testimony or ex-members, or anyone critical of the group, in any way, is to be avoided.



Mystical manipulation. It is a systematic process planned and managed from above leadership. God is supposedly ever present in the organization. Leaders become mediators for God. God centered principles can be put forcibly and claimed exclusively so the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation. If one has not seen the light, and is not in the realm of the cult, one is in the realm of evil.



Demand for Purity. Such a demand calls for the radical separation of pure and impure or good and evil within an environment and within oneself. The world is depicted as black and white, with little room for making personal decisions. One's conduct is modeled after the ideology of the group as taught in its literature. People and organizations are pictured as good or evil depending on their relationship to the group. Universal tendencies of guilt or shame are used to influence or control individuals.



Immediate confession. Serious sins (as defined by the organization) are to be confessed immediately. Members are to be reported if found behaving contrary. The confession process has its own structure, usually the context of a small group. Sins could be caused by identification with one's prior existence. This tactic alows leaders from within to exercise authority over weaker or independat members.



Sacred science. The cult's ideology becomes the ultimate moral vision for the ordering of human existence. The ideology is too "sacred" to be called into question, and reverence is demanded for the leadership. It claims absolute truth with no contradictions. Such a system can offer considerable security for the "searching" or vulnerable.



Loaded Llanguage. Functional member vocabulary becomes simplified with the use of thought terminating cliches, expressions or words designed to end the controversy or conversation. They become the language of non-thought since they tend to stop discussion or prevent further consideration. There is always some simple cliche or slogan to answer a complex issue or difficult question.



Doctrine over person. Human experience is subordinated to doctrine, no matter how profound or contradictory such experience seem to be. The history of the cult is altered to fit their doctrine of logic. The person is only valuable in so much as they conform to the role models of the cult. Common sense perceptions are disregarded if they are hostile to the ideology.



Dispensing of Existence. The organization decides who will perish in the final battle of good over evil. Leaders decide which history books are accurate and which are biased. Families can be cut off and outsiders deceived for they are not fit to exist.



Sounds a lot like Salt Lake Thought to me.

Answer 15

Don't listen to (other) christians. Your religion is not considerably stranger than the rest of them.



I know no gods exist, so there's no need to pray. Ever call to spider-man just to see if he would show up?



I know the full name of the church, thank you.



I don't believe anything I hear... obviously.

Answer 16

Dear:Justin WITH THE LOVE OF GOD,JESUS CHRIST,OUR

LORD AND SAVIOR,I GIVE YOU HIS WORD.

Trusting one master

M't:6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

M't:6:25: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

M't:6:26: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

M't:6:27: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

M't:6:28: And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

M't:6:29: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

M't:6:30: Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

M't:6:31: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

M't:6:32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

M't:6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

M't:6:34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

THE HOLY BIBLE IS THE INSTRUCTION TO LIFE.

Use your faith to find God

Heb:11:5: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Heb:11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb:11:7: By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Heb:11:8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Heb:11:9: By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Heb:11:10: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Heb:11:11: Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Heb:11:12: Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Heb:11:13: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. GOD BLESS

Answer 17

1. Cult



In the broad sense any group holds a system of religious worship and rituals is a cult. However since we

are talking about the more negative meanings of the term this is what I found:



A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often

living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.



Most Christians churches will say that a cult needs other signs that show it is cultish

1.Strong central control

2.Extra-biblical revelation

3.A belief that only their authority is based in truth



Those difinitions define the LDS church very closely.



To show that the church is false is a tall order but I will give you some biblical referenced that

show some of the problem mainline Christianity has with the church.



Mormons Teach Christians Teach

There are many Gods There is One God (Deut 6:4)

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our

God is one LORD

We can become a God Only God is God there can be

no other. Ye are my witnesses,

saith the LORD, and my servant

whom I have chosen: that ye

may know and believe me, and

understand that I am he: before

me there was no God formed,

neither shall there be after me.

Isaiah 43:10

The Preisthood is the The Preisthood's job is to offer

authority to act in the sacrifice for sin Jesus was the

name of God. last High Priset. And every

priest standeth daily ministering

and offering oftentimes the

same sacrifices, which can

never take away sins: But this

man, after he had offered one

sacrifice for sins for ever,

sat down on the right hand of

God; (Hebrews 10:11-12).The Old Testament Priesthood The Priesthood of Aaron was

and the New exist at the changed so that Jesus a Jew not same time. a Leivite Could become our

High Priest. For the priesthood

being changed, there same time.

is made of necessity a change

also of the law. For it is evident

that our Lord sprang out of Judah

of which tribe Moses spake

nothing concerning priesthood.

But this man, because he

continueth ever, hath

an unchangeable priesthood

. same time. Heb 7:12-14

One must preform the Salvation come to mankind By

works of the Gospel the grace of God through faith.

in order to be saved. We are created in Christ Jesus

(Baptism) to do good works that He has

created for us to do. Not to get

salvation but because He has

saved us. For by grace are ye

saved through faith; and that not

of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should

boast. For we are his

workmanship, created in Christ

Jesus unto good works. which

God hath before ordained that we

should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10

This the edge of the rasor of the data I have on your church there is TONS more. I will include my write up on the truth of Mormonism



Most LDS (This stands for Latter Day Saint, That's what they like to call themselves) won't tell you what

the Church believes because it is so bizarre. These strange beliefs are the reason mainline Christians

Churches say that Mormonism is a non-christian cult. In the next paragraph I will tell you what they

believe and add what the Bible teaches on the subject where appropriate.

Mormons teach that our god is a glorified man. A being of flesh and bone. The Bible makes it very clear

that God is spirit. The Mormon god stated out in the great expanse of uncreated space. There in the

darkness of a pre-spiritual existence, god the father, Jesus, you, and I will there all equal and

co-eternal. Then a god had sexual intercourse with one of his wives and our god was given a spiritual

body. He happened to be the first born of this god so he became the savior of this god's world just

like Jesus is for our world. He lived, and taught Mormonism to those who would listen to mine. He died

just like Jesus did here and if others on that world would repent and be baptized by the Mormon priest

there and live to the end of their lives in righteousness they were allow to return to their god. If they

didn't measure up they were assigned to other kingdoms that that god has created for them. Kingdoms

overseen by their savior (who became our god) and another valiant spirit that was given the office of

holy ghost. (What do you think, is this getting complex?) After the end of the world that our god did his

mortal ministry on, he was given many worthy females at he could have sex with and thereby create spirit

children (us) to send to a world that he created. Oh, by the way these worlds weren't really created they

were organized out of the matter available in space (matter is co-eternal with god and can't be created

or destroyed). Jesus was the first born of our god and Lucifer the second born (who became the devil).

Can you believe this Mormons don't just say that Jesus is our spiritual brother but also he and we are

brothers of Satan. Lucifer wanted to force us all to be good and bring us all back to god Jesus wanted

to give us freedom to make our own decision. Jesus won this battle and became god the son. Well Mormons

believe this process is repeated again and again. It is their goal to live a perfect life through their

first principles of their gospel they are:

1. Faith in the Mormon Jesus

2. Baptism by immersion (Done only by their priests)

3. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Mormon Holy Ghost ( Done only by their elders)

4. Repentance ( You have to repent of every sin you commit, You better have a good memory)

5. Enduring to the end of your life in righteousness. Go to step 4 each time to you sin.

Along with this there is marriage in the Mormon temple (You can't become a god without being married).

Everyone is also asked to pay a full tithe (Ok they got one thing right) and do volunteer service for

the church (They have no paid ministry. That isn't bad either but someone should tell them that pastoring

a local christian church is a full time and a half job and it doesn't pay well at all. Men and women that

do it are called of God No one would go into that kind of work on their own..





Jim

Answer 18

ALL Christians, by definition, are cult members.

Answer 19

Source: gotquestions.org



Question: "Is Mormonism a cult? What do Mormons believe?"







Answer: The Mormon religion was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ and told that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. Joseph set out to impose a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.” The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word. And all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).







Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, instead of just one. 1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are incorrectly translated are not always made clear 2) The Book of Mormon was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth, and that a person could get closer to God by following its precepts, “than by any other book.” 3) The Doctrine and Covenants is considered scripture by Mormons, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.” 4) The Pearl of the Great Price is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.







Mormons believe these things about God: that He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. Christians know this about God: there is only One true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 44:6-8), that He always has and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 90:2, 1 Timothy 1:17), and that He was not created, but is the Creator (Genesis chapter1, Psalm 24:1, Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8, Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).







Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: The Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, the Telestial Kingdom and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this mortal life. The Bible tells us that after death, we go to Heaven or Hell based on whether we had faith in Jesus or not. To be absent from our bodies as believers means we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unbelievers are sent to Hell, or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). When Jesus comes for the second time, we will receive new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). There will be a New Heaven and New Earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).







Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. They believe Jesus is a God, but that any human can also become a god. Christians historically have taught that God is Triune and that He exists eternally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). No one can achieve the status of God, only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God's sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16) and is the only one ever to have lived a sinless, blameless life, who now has the highest place of honor in Heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8, 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, and God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus tells us it is impossible to get to Heaven by our own works, only with faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). And many will not choose Him. “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way” (Matthew 7:13). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God's infinite love and grace has allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).







Clearly there is only one way to receive salvation; to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17, 3:28). When we have this faith, we will automatically be obedient to God's laws and become baptized out of love for Him, but not because it is a requirement for salvation. We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people - they are involved in a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.



God Bless!

Answer 20

Obviously all of these answers can be reduced to a "no".

Answer 21

Well, not unlike many cults, they have an unhealthy interest in children.

Answer 22

bwtur88... that was perfect.

Answer 23

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Mat 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Mat 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Mat 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

Mat 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Mat 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

Mat 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Mat 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Mat 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

jtm

Answer 24

The Book of Mormon is advertized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as "another testament of Jesus Christ" and specifically of the account of his supposed visit to the American continent (The Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11:1-17).



Many scholars and laymen have searched known history of the Americas for evidence that The Book of Mormon is true, as has similarly been done with the Bible in the Middle East. While the Bible continues to prove to be accurate through archaeological findings, evidence for claims made in The Book of Mormon continue to be lacking



According to the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D.C., USA, the following items (which, according to The Book of Mormon, existed in the Americas between 600 B.C. and 421 A.D.) have absolutely no evidence for existing in the America's during the time in question:





Silk - Alma 4:6, Nephi 13:7, Alma 1:29

Horses - Enos 1:21, Alma 18:9, 3 Nephi 3: 1, Nephi 18:25

Steel - Jarom 1:8, 2 Nephi 5:15,16, 1 Nephi 4:9, 16:18

Iron - 2 Nephi 5:15, 20:34, Jarom 1:8, Mosiah 11:8

Coins - Alma 11:5-19

Donkeys - 1 Nephi 18:25, Mosiah 5:14, 12:5

Cattle, Cow, and Oxen - Enos 1:21; 3 Nephi 3:22, 6: 1 Nephi 18:25

Pigs - 3 Nephi 7:8

Grain and Wheat - Mosiah 9:9; Helaman 11:17

If The Book of Mormon is true, certainly some evidence for the items mentioned above should have been unearthed by modern-day archeologists. But where are the objects of steel, iron, and brass that are mentioned throughout The Book of Mormon? Has the Mormon church uncovered even one coin as mentioned in the book of Alma? Mormon 6:9-15 states that many thousands of men fought a great battle armed with swords, bows, arrows and axes, but have archaeologists discovered any of these items dating back to that time period on this continent? According to Ether 15:2, two million Jaredite peoples (men, women and children) were killed in battle, yet there is not a trace of this battle anywhere. Ether 15:15 claims that men, women, and children armed with shields, breastplates, and headplates, fought a great battle with much loss of life -- yet not one article of battle has been found to date.





The Smithsonian Institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and The Book of Mormon.





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

The Book of Mormon is regarded by some to be nothing more than a story that Joseph Smith constructed in his mind as a boy. In fact, the book History of Joseph Smith (p. 85), written by Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, states:



"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them."



How is it that Joseph Smith told these stories several years before he allegedly found the golden plates and wrote The Book of Mormon?

Mormons sometimes claim that South American ruins supposedly contain proof that Jesus visited this continent. This is simply not true and I encourage those confronted with these claims to find any evidence from non-Mormon archaeologists.







Mormonism says: The Mormon church uses the Bible and the Book of Mormon as their primary authority, with the addition of the Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.



"We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." -Articles of Faith, 8.

The LDS "Living Prophet" can speak oracles which actually supercede scripture and any previous prophet's oracles, including Joseph Smith. The Bible holds the least amount of authority in the Mormon church.









The Bible says: God's Word (the Bible) alone is authoritative.



“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27.



The term “sola Scriptura” or “the Bible alone” is a short phrase that represents the simple truth that there is only one special revelation from God that man possesses today, the written Scriptures or the Bible. Scripture states this concept repeatedly and emphatically. The very phrase “It is written” means exclusively transcribed, and not hearsay. The command to believe what is written means to believe only the pure word of God. What is at stake before the All Holy God is His incorruptible truth.



In the very last commandment in the Bible God resolutely tells us not to add to nor take away from His Word.



For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”

—Revelation 22:18-19



His Word is absolutely sufficient in itself (Psalm 119:160).



The Biblical message breathed out by God is revelation in written form. (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The Biblical claim is that what God has inspired was His written word (2 Peter 1:20-21). When the Lord Jesus Christ said, “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35), He was speaking of God’s written word. The events, actions, commandments, and truths from God are given to us in propositional form, i.e. logical, written sentences. God’s declaration in Scripture is that it and it alone, is this final authority in all matters of faith and morals.



Thus, there is only one written source from God, and there is only one basis of truth for the Lord’s people in the Church.





The Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, identified truth with the written Word. In His great, high priestly prayer, He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” This was consistent with the declarations right through the Old Testament in which the Holy Spirit continually proclaims that the revelation from God is truth, as for example Psalm 119:142, “thy law is truth.” There is no source other than Scripture alone to which such a statement applies. That source alone, the Holy Scripture, is the believer’s standard of truth.



In the New Testament, it is the written word of God, and that alone, to which the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles refer as the final authority. In the temptation, the Lord Jesus three times resisted Satan, saying, “It is written” as for example, in Matthew 4:4, “he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” In stating “It is written,” the Lord used the exact same phrase that is used in the Holy Bible forty six times. The persistence of the repeated phrase underlines its importance. The Lord’s total acceptance of the authority of the Old Testament is evident in His words found in Matthew 5:17-18:



“Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.”





People often attempt to give human traditions higher authority than God’s Word. This was true of the Jews of Jesus’ day. In refuting the errors of the Sadducees, the Scripture records the Lord saying, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Christ Jesus continually castigated and rebuked the Pharisees because they made their traditions on a par with the Word of God—corrupting the very basis of truth by equating their traditions with God’s Word. So He declared to them in Mark 7:13 “You are making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye.” Since Scripture alone is inspired, it alone is the ultimate authority, and it alone is the final judge of Tradition.



The Word of the Lord says as a commandment in Proverbs 30:5-6:



“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”



God commands that we are not to add to His Word: this command shows emphatically that it is God’s Word alone that is pure and uncontaminated.



Aligned with Proverbs, the Lord’s strong, clear declaration in Isaiah 8:20 is: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The truth is this: since God’s written word alone is inspired, it and it alone is the sole rule of faith. It cannot be otherwise.





The total sufficiency of Scripture is declared by the Apostle Paul,



“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

—2 Timothy 3:16-17



For final truth and authority, all that we need is the Scripture.



What about the claim that sola Scriptura is not possible?



In an attempt to justify traditions as being of equal or higher authority than Scripture, an appeal is often made to the very last verse in John’s gospel,



“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 written. Amen.”

—John 21:25



Of course, there were many deeds and sayings of the Lord not recorded in Scripture. Nonetheless, Scripture is the authoritative record that Holy God has given His people. We do not have a single sentence that is authoritatively from the Lord, outside of what is in the written word. To appeal to a tradition for authority, when Holy God did not give it, is futile. The idea that somehow sayings and events from the Lord have been recorded in tradition is simply not true.



Another attempt to justify tradition, is the statement that the early church did not have the New Testament. The Apostle Peter speaks about the writings of the Apostle Paul when he states,



“…even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

—2 Peter 3:15-16



Peter also declares that he was writing so that the believers could remember what he said. So he wrote, “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth” (2 Peter 1:12).



From the earliest days of Christianity, a substantial part of the New Testament was available. Under the inspiration of the Lord, the Apostle Paul commands his letters to be read in other churches besides those to which they were sent. This clearly shows that the written word of God was being circulated even as the Apostles lived. The Lord’s command to believe what is written has always been something that the believers could obey and did obey. In this matter we must have the humility commanded in the Scripture not to think above what is written. “…that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6).





Rather than providing evidence to support the Book of Mormon, Mormons often ask Christians to read the Book of Mormon and pray to see whether or not it is from God. As the Book of Mormon says,



And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

—Moroni 10:4 (Book of Mormon)



Mormons also reference James 1:5 to support this practice:



If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.



Most Mormons claim they have received a "burning in the bosom"—a testimony of the Holy Spirit that the Book of Mormon is true.



But is this spirit the Holy Spirit? Is prayer a proper test for truth? How are we to test for truth? What about James 1:5? How do we test the spirits?



Proper Tests



It is vitally important to know proper tests when assessing spiritual truth-claims. "There is a way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof is death (Proverbs 14:12)." Let me illustrate with a lighter matter.



While in Africa, a missionary friend was approached several times by ivory peddlers. Though he was not interested in buying ivory, he learned some tricks of the peddlers' trade. He would ask how one distinguishes ivory from polished bone. (He learned that polished bone was often sold as ivory.) Almost always, the answer came, "Light a match under it. If it is bone, the soot will not wipe away. But if the soot wipes away, it is ivory."



The problem with this test (for which many tourists fell) is that it isn't proper at all. Soot wipes off of both polished bone and ivory just the same! The moral of the story? You must use the proper test.



What my friend experienced is similar to the Mormon plea to pray about the Book of Mormon. Though we are called to pray always (1 Thessalonians 5:17), the Bible nowhere teaches that prayer is a test for truth.



What about James 1:5?

Well, in context, one finds reference to the testing of one's faith by trials and temptations (see verses 2-3, 12, and 13). We are exhorted, if we lack wisdom, to ask God for wisdom and understanding (not truth) when faced with trials and temptations so we may respond in a godly fashion.



The apostle Paul warned the believers in Galatia not to listen to anyone who teaches another gospel (Galatians 1:6-8). There are many false teachers who preach a "gospel" and a "Jesus," and a spirit may accompany them. But we know that there are false gospels, false christs and unholy spirits (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-14). Should we pray to find out which is which? How can we know?



The danger with praying to find truth is that spiritual testimonies are a dime a dozen, and those which are valid may be difficult to distinguish from those which are not. We cannot trust the feelings of our hearts (Proverbs 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9), nor can we trust every spiritual witness (1 John 4:1-6). Called to be like the Bereans of Acts 17:11, we need to "search the Scriptures daily" to see if what Mormonism teaches is true. The biblical test focuses on the Word of God as our standard for truth (2 Timothy 3:15-17); for the witness of the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word he himself inspired—the Bible (2 Peter 1:21).



May our great and gracious heavenly Father richly bless you as you seek to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:5).