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Does
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
have a different Jesus Christ?
1 - DO THE LDS HAVE A DIFFERENT JESUS?
The LDS are offended to hear someone say they are not Christians. After all, "JESUS CHRIST" is emphasized in the name of their church. The first Article of Faith reads, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." But is this the Jesus of the Bible?
Who is Jesus Christ of the LDS? President Gordon B. Hinckley clarified, "[Many] have said we are not Christians. ‘Mormons are not Christians,’ they say; they do not believe in the traditional Christ. No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak" (Church News, January, 1999; also June 20, p.7). A different Christ!
LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie taught that Christians have "a mythical Christ" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269). That means we must decide which faith has the real Christ because somebody clearly has a mythical Christ. Do these faiths have the same Jesus? No, if you read the LDS Ensign. It says Christian Churches worship a different Jesus (May 1977, p.26).
2 – WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT A DIFFERENT JESUS?
God warns about the "false apostles, deceitful workers" (2 Corinthians 11:13). These come as they "preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached…or another gospel" (verse 4).
Jesus warned, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24). Any wrong Christ is to have the mark of a deceiver.
3 - IS JESUS THE DEVIL’S BROTHER?
Yes, as clarified by an LDS prophet. "…the Savior's example...when he was on the mountain with his fallen brother, Lucifer" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp.32-33; The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 216).
Yes, as clarified by the LDS Ensign to say, Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer (June 1986, p. 25).
Yes, as clarified by Milton R. Hunter of the First Council of the Seventy. "Lucifer...this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind" (The Gospel Through the Ages, 1945 ed., p. 15). This is official LDS doctrine. The title page reads, "Written and published under the direction of the General Priesthood Committee of the Council of the Twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Yes, as clarified by LDS apostle, Bruce McConkie. He wrote, "Lucifer, the son of the morning, is our elder brother and the brother of Jesus Christ" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163-164). So the two older brothers are Jesus and the devil.
Can anybody explain how the Alpha and Omega can have a brother? Jesus is the Creator, Lucifer was created. A Jesus who exists as Lucifer’s brother is no more real than Henry Ford being the brother to his car. How does the First and the Last create an equal? The Lord Jesus Christ made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2).
The Lord made the heavens and its hosts (Psalm 33:6). The Son made "all things" (John 1:3). So how much is "all things"? Jesus created the dominions of angels, which includes the devils and Lucifer (Colossians 1:16-17; Ezekiel 28:13-15). While Jesus Christ exists from eternity past (Micah 5:2), Satan is a mere created being. Make no mistake, they can never be brothers.
4 - IS JESUS CHRIST THE ETERNAL GOD?
No brother of the devil is the eternal God. But according to the LDS "ancient writers" of the Book of Mormon, can we identify Jesus Christ? The preface page reads, "JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD." The capitals were included for emphasis, because in his early days when Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon that is what he believed. He was the author (1830 edition preface).
Is that what Mormons believed in 1830? That is what they believed! The LDS faith was never closer to Christianity. But by the end of Joseph Smith’s life, he (get this) changed God. He preached, "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil" (Come Unto Me, p. 95).
So (now get this, too) he refuted the Book of Mormon (Mormon 9:10; Moroni 7:22; 8:18). He swept the entire foundation of the LDS church right into the theological ashcan.
So Christians are mystified. It is puzzling if you are intellectually honest. How can anyone change God? If a medical label reads, "Take two tablets before bedtime," does anyone say "That is just your interpretation"? What is the LDS way around this? They change God by redefinition. "Eternal" as an adjective is now a noun, God’s name is Eternal God. The LDS are taught not to question, even such absurdities as this (Mormon Doctrine, p. 233).
The Apostle Bruce McConkie was a most visible LDS leader in Provo and Salt Lake City. He wrote, "The Father is a glorified, perfected resurrected, exalted man who worked out his own salvation by obedience" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 64).
The man who became the Father was not eternal God. Since he died, he needed to be "resurrected". And once being a sinner, he needed "salvation". Where did he get a god like that? That is the theology system of Mormonism. But is it Christian? Is that LDS god the God of the Bible?
The LDS are eager to offer you the Book of Mormon. You have to wonder, why not the Doctrine and Covenants or The Pearl of Great Price? Christians believe move of the Book of Mormon in places than the LDS. It is the Christians who believe there is an eternal God (Ether 8:23), there is only one God (Alma 11:27-29), Jesus is God (Ether 3:17-18), and Christ is the Lord God Omnipotent, creator of all and above all (Mosiah 5:15).
Even an 1830 revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants has the truth to say God is "infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God…infinite and eternal, without end" (D&C 20:17, 28). 39:1 is an 1831 quote that Jesus Christ "is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM" (D&C 39:1).
The Mormon church has the impossible Jesus. How can Jesus be the brother of the devil and not the brother of the devil? How can Jesus be created and uncreated? How can Jesus not create all things, yet create all things? How can Jesus be born as a spirit-child and yet be the eternal God? How can Jesus earn his own salvation while also being the sufficient Savior over the whole sinful world?
The LDS often tell Christians they believe Jesus is God, but is that honest? Sometimes religion does not simply allow for you to lie, you are encouraged to lie and to deceive in order to promote that faith.
5 - WHO IS THE GOD-MAN?
Is Jesus Christ the eternal God? Is He the God-Man!
If He is not GOD, how was the church purchased with God’s "own blood"? (Acts 20:28). If He is not MAN, how was it that when the soldiers pierced His side "there came out blood and water"? (John 19:34).
If He is not GOD, why did the Jews believe He blasphemed when He claimed to be the great "I am"? (Mark 14:62-64; Exodus 3:14). If He is not MAN, why did Pilot say, "Behold, the man"? (John 19:5).
If He is not GOD, why did Jesus say, "Before Abraham was, I am"? (John 8:58). If He is not MAN, why would the Jews pick up stones to stone Him? (John 8:59).
If He is not GOD, who is Emmanuel "God with us"? (Matthew 1:23). If He is not MAN, who was the tiny babe Mary hugged to her breast? (Psalm 22:9).
If He is not GOD, why did John write, "Jesus Christ! This is the true God"? (1 John 5:20). If He is not MAN, why did Jesus say to John, "Behold, thy mother"? (John 19:27).
If He is not GOD, why did the Father say to Jesus, "Thy throne, Oh God is forever and ever"? (Hebrews 1:8). If He is not MAN, what did Paul mean, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"? (1 Timothy 2:5).
If He is not GOD, how does all the fullness of the Godhead dwell in Him? (Col. 2:9). If He is not MAN, why does all the fullness of the Godhead dwell in Him "bodily"? (Col. 2:9).
If He is not GOD, whose glory did Stephen see while calling (praying) to Jesus as God? (Acts 7:55,59). If He is not MAN, whose body did he see standing to welcome him home? (Acts 7:55,59).
If He is not GOD, to whom was Thomas speaking when he cried, "My Lord and my God"? (John 20:28). If He is not MAN, who said, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing"? (John 20:27). Jesus Christ, He is "My Lord and my God!" Jesus Christ is the God-Man.
6 - IS JESUS A SINNER WHO PROGRESSED?
Who was the god of Joseph Smith? Was the Father a sinner who progressed into godhood? He claimed that God was "once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth" (Teachings, pp.345-346).
The heresy continues that Jesus was also a sinner who had to progress in order to become worthy to be a god. "Christ attained Godhood while yet in pre-existence" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 323). He had attained unto the status of Godhood while yet in the premortal existence (What the Mormons Think of Christ, Pamphlet published by the LDS Church, 1976, p. 25). Howard W. Hunter said, Jesus will be called "the Prince of Peace, who is also the Prince of Glory and the Prince of Eternal Progress" (The Ensign, 2/95, p. 77).
The LDS explain: As a result, Jesus forgot everything about His former life. (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:33). Whereas, at the time of His mortal birth Jesus was no longer an infant spirit, it was necessary that His spirit be compressed, or diminished in size, so He could be enclosed in His infant body. (Orson Pratt, JD, 16:334). Now, this was the second birth of Jesus, for He was already the firstborn spirit child of Heavenly Parents. (Orson Pratt, JD, 18:290).
The Book of Mormon says God is Spirit (Alma 18:26-29; 22:8-11; 31:15), but while making a new god, Joseph Smith was discontent with that. One way to excuse Alma is to claim it was only the speakers who were wrong. Then why weren’t they corrected in the text?
And why are there no LDS teachings from 1830 to 1842 to contradict that God is Spirit? It was later when Joseph Smith claimed that God has a body of flesh and bones (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith - History 1:17; Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; Mormon Doctrine pp. 321, 567-577).
If a body is necessary to be a god, then how did the Holy Ghost become a god? (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577).
7 - DID JESUS CHANGE FROM BEING GOD?
The Book of Mormon in the 1830 edition reads, "Behold, the virgin which thou seest, is the mother of God" (1 Nephi 11:18, p.25). Somebody changed the Book of Mormon and Christians never had the it so, who is guilty? The LDS no longer accepting the idea that Jesus is God, changed it to the "Son of God." But if it was dictated word-for-word as scripture from God, how can anybody change it?
8 - IS JESUS A GOD AS MORMONS BECOME GODS?
An understanding of pyramid marketing helps to picture Mormonism. Each god has a god over him. Each has a father, a grandfather, great-grandfathers, and on into the great-great-greats of infinity. Each god has millions of children branching off, and many becoming gods. Then the younger gods have millions of children to populate their own planets and the little gods produce gods – and so on.
So logically, there is no special god, at least nothing beyond a god who happens to be the god over this world. So why should anyone admire a god that if they plan to copy it someday to the same level?
Cut-and-paste, Mormonism has a long history of trying to change God. Picture mighty angels leaving the awe of the throne room then leaning over the balconies of Heaven as Michael nudges Gabriel to point and say, "Hey, get a load of this! Listen to this little man then watch how those people follow him."
Shortly before his death in 1844, Joseph Smith introduced the gods of Mormonism being embraced today. The 1843 Doctrine and Covenants reads, "Then shall they be gods, because they have all power" (132:20).
One earmark of heresy is to try to diminish God and to deify men into becoming gods. He preached, "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea...he was once a man like us...you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you" (Mormon Doctrine p. 321; Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol 6, p.306; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, pp.3-4).
Joseph Smith went from one god to three, then on to a whole council of gods. He introduced to Mormons the plan of self-exalting gods in embryo which is the current position. From one God to an unrefined paganism with a myriad of Gods ad infinitum.
It sounds more like repackaged Hinduism than Christianity. Scripture forewarned us about these false gods in order to protect God’s people, to keep the purity of the truth, and to censure false prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). The LDS failed but God took him out. However, the heresies remain today.
Clearly no man ever attains Godhood; the job is taken. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:22). Do LDS authorities know more than the everlasting God? The LDS prophet Spencer W. Kimball clarified, "We are gods in embryo, and the Lord demands perfection of us" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 286).
No wonder LDS people make good science fiction writers. Joseph Smith claimed the moon is inhabited by people about six feet tall who dress like Quakers and live about 1,000 years (The Young Woman’s Journal, 1892, Vol.3, pp.263-264 and Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Vol.3, p.166, typed copy at Utah State Historical Society). When the astronauts returned, a Christian inquired, "Did you see any Quakers up there?" No! Brigham Young went further to say that the sun is inhabited too (Journal of Discourses, 1880, p.271).
What has happened to the LDS? Joseph Smith adopted the very lie of the devil to deceive Eve, resulting in sin and destruction (Genesis 3:1-5; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:1-10). So who met Joseph Smith in the grove? A distinct possibility is "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).
The fifth LDS prophet Lorenzo Snow said in 1840, "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." In an interview with LDS Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, he was asked about their doctrine that God was once a man: "There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don't Mormons believe that God was once a man?" He responded, "I wouldn't say that.
There was a little couplet coined, 'As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.' Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about" (San Francisco Chronicle, April 13, 1997).
A couplet in Webster’s is "two successive lines of poetry." So the prophet, seer and revelator of the LDS church could not understand the doctrine of God nor the LDS gospel? What he could not figure out, Joseph Smith made clear: "It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).
Maybe Hinckley knew but he was just ashamed. That is not like the Apostle Paul speaking for God. He said: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16).
9 - IS JESUS THE GOD OF THIS WORLD?
According to LDS prophets, yes, he was. "And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you the God of this world’" (Ezra Taft Benson as quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley in The Ensign, 5/92, p. 89). Christians object, "No, that is the devil!" Satan is "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Jesus of the LDS is the god of this world and he is the God of the land in the Book of Mormon. Ether says, "if they will serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (2:12).
10 - IS JESUS PART OF THE TRINITY?
Identifying Jesus Christ does not prove a Trinity and that’s okay. The Bible never says to believe in the Trinity to be saved. So primarily, we are addressing who Jesus is and believe in Him. To get it right on Jesus, then there is no problem in accepting the truths about the Trinity. So Jesus first!
Trinitarian formulas are in both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon. Early on, Joseph Smith believed the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God. The Doctrine and Covenants 20:19 is from 1830. It commands, "love and serve him, the only living and true God" and worship him. Verse 28 explains further, the "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God."
The Testimony of the Three Witnesses in the Book of Mormon says "And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God." Alma 11:44 reads, "Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God." (More in 2 Nephi 31:21; Mosiah 3:5-8; 7:27; 13:34-35; 15:1-5; Alma 11:28-31, 38; and Ether 3:14). Isn’t it clear, like take two tablets before bedtime? Is one God one God or three gods?
11 - IS JESUS THE FATHER?
The early Mormon god was still unfortunately not "three Persons existing as one true God." Joseph Smith believed in a one god who existed in three modes of "one person," a strange heresy known as Modalism (Ether 3:14; 4:7-12; Mosiah 15:1-5). No wonder he wavered from that into other definitions!
12 - WAS JESUS HIS OWN FATHER?
How ridiculous? Yet this is what the original Book of Mormon read in 1830 that "the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world" (1 Nephi, 1830 ed. p. 32). The Lamb, Jesus, is the Father. How is it possible for anyone to father himself?
13 - IS THE MORMON JESUS THE HEAVENLY FATHER’S GRANDSON?
How clear these errors in the Book of Mormon! The 1830 edition read about "the Son of the only begotten of the Father" (Alma 5:48, p. 236, line 29). Since the begotten one is Jesus Christ, who is this son? A different Jesus and a different god indeed! Another inspired testament of Jesus Christ? It is never on the level of the Bible. How could the Book of Mormon ever be word-for-word perfect from God?
14 - IS JESUS JUST ONE OF MANY GODS?
Joseph Smith should have known the answer but while he was busy starting a religion, he was not sure. He voiced his uncertainty in 1830, "whether there be one God or many gods" (D&C 121:28).
He then abandoned the one person of one god heresy, that Jesus is the Father, and drifted to say the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate Gods" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577). For a fuller definition, "There are three Gods--the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost--who, though separate in personality, are united as one in purpose, in plan, and in all the attributes of perfection" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 317).
Where in the Bible does it say God is just "one in purpose"? One in purpose versus God is one will never be able to redefine the Almighty God. Three Gods are never one God? One Godhead of three Persons is not three gods.
Joseph Smith rewrote the creation account of Genesis to be a council of Gods (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 4-5). So the LDS Jesus became one of the many gods.
None of this matches with the gospel of the Book of Mormon. It claims that it "contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel" (Introduction). If so, where is The Plurality of Gods? This God of flesh and bones? God being an exalted man? Eternal progression? Preexistence? Polygamy? A heavenly mother?
Adding to the gospel leads to curses in (Galatians 1:6-9 and 3 Nephi 11:39-40). The LDS have added to the gospel. Joseph Smith changed the Bible, including Revelation, in his "Joseph Smith Translation." That means he received the curse (Revelation 22:18-19).
In John 1:1 we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Bible is monotheistic. John as a Jewish Christian would be fiercely monotheist. Two or more true Gods is never an option in Judaism or Christianity.
For example, suppose Jimmy Smith was standing with his father James in Salt Lake City. We might say: "In Salt Lake City there was Jimmy and Jimmy was with Smith and Jimmy was Smith." If this concept is explainable in human terms, how much more true as we read of the infinite as "the Word was made flesh" (vs. 14).
Joseph Smith rewrote John 1:1 to read that the word was with the Son. Now it’s like Jesus has a twin or Jesus is Himself who is another. "In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God" (JST). There is no manuscript support for any of Joseph Smith’s so-called Inspired Version.
God or "a God"? The LDS Bible Dictionary, page 681, says: Now all this took place that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "A God with us." Is this the Bible Jesus? It is "another" Jesus.
15 - IS ADAM OUR GOD?
Following Joseph’s pattern, Brigham Young changed God. In 1854, he taught in General Conference that Adam is God (JD, 1:50-51, 1854). He kept preaching this! In 1873, it was, "God revealed to me--namely that Adam is our Father and God" (Deseret Evening News, June 14, 1873). Compare the D&C 27:11; 138:38. Brigham threatened that the failure to accept this meant your "salvation or damnation" (Journal of Discourses, Vol.1, p. 51, April 9, 1852). His claim to authority was "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture" (JD 13:95).
Brigham Young, the LDS prophet, seer and revelator is credited with much of the LDS foundation. So what happens to people when their spiritual leaders never knew God? What about all of those Mormons who followed him to worship that false god all those years? God warns about paganism. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Isn’t it ironic to name a university after this false prophet?
16 - WAS JESUS VIRGIN BORN?
The story goes that Heavenly Father, being Mary’s literal father in pre-existence, had sex with her to produce Jesus Christ. The LDS god had incest with his own daughter (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547). So the LDS Jesus was the son of a deity named Adam.
Mormon theology describes the birth of Jesus in human reproductive terms. Brigham stated it clearly: "A personage of flesh and bone, He shall beget this Son in the same manner as Cain and Abel and all the other sons and daughters of Adam and Eve were begotten" (JD, 1:50-51). "The Christ Child shall be the result of 'natural action'--flesh and blood, begotten of his Father as we were of our fathers" (JD, 8:115). "Then shall it be said, 'The man Joseph, the husband of Mary, did not, that we know of, have more than one wife, but Mary the wife of Joseph had another husband…Do you inquire by whom? He was begotten by God our Heavenly Father" (JD, 11:268, 1866).
James E. Talmage had more to say. He called it "A miracle--though not in violation of natural law--the literal offspring of this 'celestial Sireship'" (Jesus the Christ, p. 81).
The prominent Mormon, Orson Pratt clarified: "Mary was concerned because of her betrothal to Joseph. The angel explained, ‘You and the Father will associate together in the capacity of Husband and Wife; hence, you will be, for at least a time, the lawful wife of God the Father. After He is finished with you, the Father will give you to Joseph. God will be your first husband’" (The Seer, p. 158). Where did the angel speak such blasphemy?
Who is the true Jesus? Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son (John 1:14,18; 3:16). Gordon B. Hinckley said Jesus is the "Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh" (The Ensign, 12-94, p. 4). Don’t miss the significance of the unique LDS wording of "in the flesh" in contrast to being God’s "spirit children." The true Jesus is the only begotten Son and with no "in the flesh" distinction.
The LDS believe the devil is a son of God, we are all children of God, and Jesus is distinct because of being born by sex. The teaching to the LDS people puts it this way, "Jesus is the only person who had our Heavenly Father as the father of his body" (Family Home Evening Manual, 1972, pp.125-126).
Tragically, the LDS prophets miss the obvious in the miraculous conception. It was not the Father at all who came over Mary. It was the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 7:13; Mat. 1:18; Luke 1:34). Even Alma 7:10 concurs that Mary as "a virgin" would conceive. And how? - "by the power of the Holy Ghost." Jesus went into her womb without the normal human conception process (Luke 1:34-35). How can that be? God tells us that nothing is impossible with God (Vs. 37).
McConkie fancifully argued, "suffice it to say that our Lord was born of a virgin, which is fitting and proper, and also natural, since the Father of the Child was an immortal Being...He is the Son of God in the same sense and way that we are the sons of mortal fathers" (The Promised Messiah, pp.466, 468). No, that foolishness and lame excuses will never suffice!
So Mormonism totally destroys the Biblical truth of the virgin birth. Of course Mormons do not believe the Bible because if they did, they would have to reject Mormonism. Brigham Young firmly denied the truth of the Biblical account. He claimed, "Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost" (JD, Vol.1:50-51). A physical Father having sex with Mary brings us to one conclusion, she would no longer be a virgin (Mormon Doctrine, p.546-547).
Is Mormonism Christian? God’s people know nothing of any Adam-god having physical intercourse with his spirit daughter who conceived through an act of incest.
17 - DID MARY GIVE BIRTH TO HER OLDER BROTHER?
In follow this breathtaking Mormon puzzle, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son who was her elder brother in the pre-existence (Victor L. Ludlow, Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel, p. 43).
18 - IS JEHOVAH OUR ELDER BROTHER?
Imagine trying to convince any Jew through the ages that Jehovah God is our brother! But Mormonism teaches that we were all spirit children of Heavenly Father to say "The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim, perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah," meaning Satan and Jesus (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp.32-33). So Mormons freely speak of Jesus as being our "elder brother."
19 - IS JESUS "JEHOVAH" BUT NOT "ELOHIM"?
Trying to maintain separate gods, Mormonism confuses "LORD God" which comes from the words "Jehovah-Elohim". How can anyone miss the meaning of "LORD God" in the Bible? (Genesis 2:4-22; Deuteronomy 4:1; Judges 5:3; 1 Samuel 2:30). Examples from the "Joseph Smith Translation" are in 1 Kings 8:60 and Exodus 34:14. This is no more confusing than to read "Jesus Christ". Jesus is the Christ. Jehovah is Elohim. However, the LDS are half-right to at least say that Jesus is Jehovah.
If He is not JEHOVAH, who alone is named JEHOVAH? (Psalms 83:18). If this excludes JESUS, why does He share the Father’s name? (John 17:11). If the Father’s name is Elohim, then Jesus’ name has to be Elohim too.
If He is not JEHOVAH, who is named "THE LORD" or "JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"? (Jeremiah 23:6). If this is not JESUS, who is this King who shall reign on the earth? (Jeremiah 23:5).
If He is not JEHOVAH, why is Jehovah called the "mighty God"? (Isaiah 10:20-21). If this is not JESUS, why did Isaiah also say the Son is "The Mighty God?" (Isaiah 9:6).
If He is not JEHOVAH God, who was Israel’s Rock? (Deuteronomy 32:4). If this is not JESUS, why would Paul declare "that Rock was Christ!" (1 Corinthians 10:4).
If He is not JEHOVAH, whom did Isaiah see high and lifted up in his vision? (Isaiah 6:1-13). If this is not JESUS, why did John declare that Isaiah was seeing the glory of Jesus? (John 12:41).
If He is not JEHOVAH, why did Isaiah write about two Persons and both who are Jehovah? The King of Israel is Jehovah (Isaiah 44:6a), but if this excludes JESUS, why is His redeemer Jehovah of hosts? (Isaiah 44:6b).
If He is not JEHOVAH, whose feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives bursting that mountain from east to west in dramatic evidence of His power and authority? (Zechariah 14:3-5; Matthew 24:27-31; Revelation 19:11-21). If this is not Jesus, who physically rose from the Mount of Olives and will visibly return there in like manner? (Acts 1:9-12).
If He is not JEHOVAH, who else is the "true and faithful witness"? (Jeremiah 42:5). If this is not JESUS, who is walking in the midst of the churches "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning (beginner - Greek) of the creation of God"? (Revelation 2:1; 3:14).
If He is not JEHOVAH, who created everything by Himself? (Godhead. No angels or work crew Romans 1:20; Isaiah 44:24; 45:8-12; Malachi 2:10). If this excludes JESUS, why would Scripture declare He made all things? (John 1:3; 14:2; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2,10). The Holy Spirit was active in creation as well (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:23).
If He is not JEHOVAH, who forgives sin and "will by no means clear the guilty"? (Exodus 34:7). If this is not JESUS, who said to the poor "sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee"? (Mark 2:5).
If He is not JEHOVAH, who said, "That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear"? (Isaiah 45:22-23). If this is not JESUS, how is it that His name is above every name? Why would every knee bow to Jesus? Why would every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord-Jehovah? Why would this glorify the Father if Jesus is not worthy as being the Almighty God? (Phil. 2:9-11).
If He is not JEHOVAH, of whom did David write, "The LORD is my shepherd"? (Psalms 23:1). If this is not JESUS, who is the "good shepherd," the "one shepherd," and "that great shepherd"? (John 10:11,16; Hebrews 13:20).
If He is not JEHOVAH, who "maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still"? (Psalm 107:28-29). If this is not JESUS, who "arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm"? (Matthew 8:26).
How clear! As Jehovah, Jesus Christ is the Almighty God. This one God is Jehovah-Elohim.
20 - WHERE WAS JESUS BORN?
The Mormon Jesus was not born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Mat. 2:1) but in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10). Trying to excuse this, the Mormon logic will excuse it to say Jerusalem is a region. No, Jerusalem is a city. When God inspired Micah the prophet to write "Bethlehem," God meant Bethlehem (5:2). Someone named "Jesus" might have been born in Jerusalem, but whoever he was, he was not the Jesus of the Bible. The devil’s star leads to the wrong baby.
21 - WHEN WAS JESUS BORN?
We don’t claim to know when Jesus was born, but Joseph Smith claimed to know. Jesus was born on April 6 (D&C 20:1). If so, why isn’t this when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings Christmas carols?
22 - DOES JESUS RECEIVE WORSHIP?
Since the apostle Bruce McConkie died, the LDS is leaning away from him. However, when he was alive he was endorsed. That’s why he preached at BYU. There he claimed, "We worship the Father and him only and no one else. We do not worship the Son and we do not worship the Holy Ghost" (BYU Devotional Speech, March 2, 1982). How interesting to claim to have the same Jesus as Christians, but they do not worship him. Why not follow the Book of Mormon if it is scripture, to fall down and worship Jesus Christ? (3 Nephi 11:17; 17:10).
Who are we to worship? God’s angels do not accept worship because this belongs only to God (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9). Satan is not worthy of worship (Matthew 4:10). But we worship Jesus Christ as God and with His approval. The wise men and disciples worshiped Jesus as God. Jesus Christ is being worshiped by angels (Hebrews 1:6). He is worshipped in Heaven as Jesus receives what the Father receives as worship (Matthew 2:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 28:9-10, 17; Rev. 4:10-11; 14:7).
Jesus made Himself equal with God, as affirmed by Scripture (John 5:18). This quote in John is inspired from through the Apostle John, not from the words of the Jews who could have been mistaken. Jesus continued, if you do not give Him the same worshipful honor as equal to the Father's, then your honor of the Father is worthless (John 5:23). What an ideal time for Jesus to make His identity known if He is only a spirit-child of the Father and brother to the devil.
So for the apostle McConkie and the for LDS church, not giving Jesus Christ worshipful honor equal to the Father's, the honor of Mormonism to the Father is rendered as worthless. Isn’t this so ironic for a religion to have "JESUS CHRIST" within the name of any church that will not worship Him!
23 - WAS JESUS A POLYGAMIST?
Joseph Smith introduced polygamy and as being an "everlasting covenant" (D&C 132). The failure, he said, to abide in it is to be "damned".
As prophets Spencer W. Kimball and Brigham Young clarified, there can be no exaltation without marriage. "If one is going to be in God’s kingdom of exaltation, where God dwells in all his glory, one will be there as a husband or a wife and not otherwise. Regardless of his virtues, the single person, or the one married for this life only, cannot be exalted…‘If he wishes to be saved, he cannot be saved without a woman at his side’" (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 245).
LDS apostle Orson Pratt explained the polygamy being practiced by God. "God the father had a plurality of wives…the son followed the example of his father, and became the great bridegroom to whom king’s daughters and many honorable wives were to be married" (The Seer, p. 172).
The exalted man-god sexually produced these spirit-children, which includes Jesus, Lucifer, all the angels and devils, and everyone on earth. Since there are countless angels and billions of people, how did their sexual relations ever keep up with the birth rate?
The role of the woman is not so good. This Heavenly Father populated earth by one of his wives, but she was just one of several and sharing him with others. While Christians look forward to serving the Lord in Heaven, LDS ladies at best can only plan to serve their polygamist husbands. So ask a woman with half a dozen kids, "How would you like to have another child every year?"
As her role in heaven, she is to be a birthing-machine, as queen bees mass-producing offspring to populate a world. No wonder the dear LDS who turn to Christ rejoice in the truth of Matthew 22:29-30. There are no marriages in Heaven since everyone is special in the family of God.
LDS apostle Orson Hyde claimed, "Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children" (JD, Vol. 2, p. 210). So Jesus was married and he was a polygamist. "Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee...if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell who was" (JD, Vol.2, p. 210, 89). Well now, come on! Have you ever heard of a bridegroom who needed to have an invitation to come to his own wedding? (John 2:2).
This foolishness knows no bounds, even to say the reason Jesus was crucified was because of practicing polygamy. "The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based on polygamy...a belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus, and his followers" (LDS Seventh President, Jedediah M. Grant, JD, Vol. 1, pp. 345-346).
24 - DID JESUS HAVE A HEAVENLY MOTHER?
Yes, according to Mormonism. Jesus had a heavenly mother. And we have this same heavenly mother. "This doctrine that there is a Mother in Heaven was affirmed in all plainness by the First Presidency of the Church" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129, 516, 751).
Some LDS people would like to pray publicly to that "mother" but the church refuses. Why? She is of an inferior godhood while in "most perfect obedience" to her "great head"--her husband (The Seer, p.159).
But since there is nothing in the Bible nor the Book of Mormon about a Mother God, McConkie appealed to sentiment while citing a Mormon hymn (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 516-517). Too obvious! Wouldn’t God know His own wife if He had one? (Isaiah 44:8).
25 - IS JESUS AN INSUFFICIENT SAVIOR?
The Mormon Jesus has been stripped of his unique deity. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is robbed of its power to make his death only to bring immortality, not eternal life. That Jesus only leaves us under Mormon laws, ordinances and priests. The Articles of Faith says, "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel" (Article 3). This Mormon gospel is the laws and ordinances which oppose the finished work and full cleansing power of the cross of Christ.
The pamphlet "What the Mormons think of Christ" found in LDS visitor’s centers is to refute the saving grace of Christ. It reads, "Christians speak often of the blood of Christ and its cleansing power. Much that is believed and taught on this subject, however, is such utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one’s salvation. For instance, many believe or pretend to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips and avow that we accept him as our personal savior, we are thereby saved. They say that his blood, without any other act than mere belief, makes us clean" (p. 22).
Joseph Smith began to teach a Christ who is without redemptive power. Even the fruit of the vine was exchanged for water at the communion table.
26 - DID THE LDS JESUS PERSPIRE TO BE THE SAVIOR?
Jesus bore our sins at Gethsemane according to Mormonism. The early quotes are like this one: "Forgiveness is available because Christ the Lord sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane as he bore the incalculable weight of the sins of all who ever had or ever would repent...In a garden called Gethsemane, outside Jerusalem's walls, in agony beyond compare, he took upon himself the sins of all men on condition of repentance" (The Promised Messiah, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, p. 337 & 552.
Also: Gospel Principles, 1988, p. 58; The Mortal Messiah, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 127-128; Church News, 1 June 1991, p.14; Ensign Magazine, April, 1981, p.19; Conference Report, Marion Romney of the LDS First Presidency, Oct. 1953, p.35).
This is why Mormon art and films make much of showing a praying Jesus by a rock in Gethsemane. Christians do not forget the great agony of the Lord in Gethsemane as the place of sorrow where Jesus went to pray and prepare. But that was not where He took upon Himself the sins of the world.
Now the LDS teaching seems to be changing, but who’s surprised? Christians demonstrate that "Gethsemane" is only twice in the Bible and never used in the redemptive sense. But the message of the cross is throughout the New Testament. So the current position suggests that the atonement was through the garden and the cross.
Why would any religion wanting to be known as Christian become such "enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction"? (Philippians 3:18-19). You should look these passages up to read them. God is absolutely clear that Jesus Christ bore our sins at the cross (Romans 5:8-11; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 23; 2:2; 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:13-16; Philippians 3:18-19; Colossians 1:20; 2:13-15; Hebrews 9:14-15, 25-26; 10:28; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
What happens to any religious people who miss placing their faith where God tells us to have it? The LDS do not believe Biblical doctrines. So if the Jesus of Mormonism is false and their atonement is false, then the faith is false, meaning "vain", useless, or worthless in 1 Corinthians 15:2, 14, 17. The value of faith is not from its size but from the object in which it has been placed. The greatest faith in someone false is totally worthless. All of the sincerity and false messiahs will never bridge the gap to God.
27 - IS JESUS CHRIST INFERIOR TO JOSEPH SMITH?
The LDS bear witness of Joseph Smith. Christianity knows nothing of confessing Joseph Smith or any other man. Jesus Christ told us who to confess. "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8).
Brigham Young claimed, "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith" (JD, 7:289). "I will now give my scripture… 'every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel and through him, is of Antichrist'" (JD, 8:176). No wonder one popular LDS conference song is "Praise to the Man," Joseph Smith.
How great is Joseph Smith? He preached, "I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam ... Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it" (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408-409). Greater in his accomplishments that Jesus! So how did he "come out"? He died soon after that. What about holding the church together? There are at least a hundred sects of Mormonism.
Joseph Smith is exalted. Another exaggeration is: And no one will do a greater work than Jesus until the advent of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:408-9).
28 - WHO IS THE SOVEREIGN SAVIOR?
Was Joseph Smith ever comparable to the Sovereign-Savior?
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who is the only God and Savior? (Isaiah 43:11; Titus 1:3-4). If He is not our God and SAVIOR, why are we "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ"? (Titus 2:13).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, coming back on that great white horse? (Rev. 19:11,16). If He is not our SAVIOR, who was riding on that little donkey down the streets of Jerusalem? (Matthew 21:1-5).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, "Who is this King of glory?" (Psalms 24:10). If He is not our SAVIOR, how could Paul say they "crucified the Lord of glory"? (1 Corinthians 2:8).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who is the First and the Last, the only God? (Isaiah 44:6). If He is not our SAVIOR, who is the Almighty, the first and the last, declaring, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore"? (Revelation 1:8,11,17,18).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who burned Sodom and asked, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25b). If He is not our SAVIOR, who is the Son of man who judges all things? (John 5:22,27).
If He is not SOVEREIGN, who else is worthy to sit upon the "throne" of God? (Revelation 22:1,3). If He is not our SAVIOR, why is that "throne" shared with "the Lamb"? (Revelation 22:1,3).
If He is not SOVEREIGN, who will not give His glory to another? (Isaiah 42:8). If He is not our SAVIOR, who is coming in the Father’s glory? (Mark 8:38; John 17:5; Revelation 5:13).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who cast the devils out of a hopeless man telling him to share how God had set him free? (Mark. 5:19; Luke. 8:39). If He is not our SAVIOR, why did that man apply everything to Jesus? (Mark 5:20; Luke 8:39).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who is the Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6). If He is not our SAVIOR, who said to the troubled disciples, "Peace be unto you"? (John 20:19).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who did Michael the Archangel call upon to rebuke the devil? (Jude 9). If He is not our SAVIOR, how could Jesus rebuke the devil and destroy him that had the power of death? (Matthew 4:10; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, who countered Satan, "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and him only shalt thou serve"? (Matthew 4:10). If He is not our SAVIOR, why would the disciples hold Jesus by the feet and worship Him? (Matthew 28:9,10,17).
If He is not our SOVEREIGN, why did the Lord God promise to seek His sheep? (Ezekiel 34:11-16). If he is not our SAVIOR, who is the Son of man who came "to seek and to save that which was lost"? (Luke 19:10).
Jesus Christ is the Sovereign God! So you need the right God if you can ever have the right Savior.
29 - DID JOSEPH SMITH SEE JESUS?
LDS Prophet Hinckley at the General Conference on October 4, 1998, clarified, "Our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rests on the validity of this glorious First Vision" (Church News, Oct. 10, 1998, p.17).
In 1832, Joseph Smith described the first vision in his own handwriting which was verified by the historian office of the LDS Church. "In this story, only one personage was mentioned…the Son" (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.40).
For a transcript see, An American Prophet’s Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, 1989, pp.3-8. The first vision was of only one person.
Historian James B. Allen noted, "In this story, only one personage was mentioned…obviously the Son" (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Autumn 1966, p.40). Marvin S. Hill, the professor of American history at BYU, said, the 1832 account is probably more accurate and Joseph Smith may have changed his views concerning God.
When was the official LDS account of "two Personages" recorded? Not until 1838. Now think it through. If you were there to meet God the Father and Jesus Christ, how would you forget how many beings were there? In every Biblical account of a revelation of God, no one was just sitting calmly on the ground like the pictures of Joseph Smith. The LDS "official account" is clearly just bad history.
Is the Father in Heaven an exalted man? No! (Numbers 23:19; John 4:24; Luke 24:39). Alma 18:26-28 confirms that God is no man.
Joseph Smith changed the King James Version Biblical text while writing his own bible. So Joseph’s rewritten bible allowed him to see God. Examples: "Thou canst not see my face at this time" (Exodus 33:20). "…no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son" (John 1:19). "No man hath seen God at any time except them who believe" (1 John 4:12). Joseph Smith changed hundreds of verses but not one change can be substantiated by the Biblical manuscripts.
Bottom line, Brigham Young said that all Joseph Smith really saw was an angel. "But He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, p.171).
30 - IF JESUS HAD TO PROGRESS TO GODHOOD, THEN WHY DIDN’T MORONI?
Moroni is unique to the LDS, being the alleged son of Mormon. Here is a commended man who never achieved godhood. Why would Moroni only be an angel? That’s not right or consistent. "The exaltation which the saints of all ages have so devoutly sought is godhood itself" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321).
This angel story will never fly! The Doctrine and Covenants introduction, reads, "Joseph Smith received visitations from Moroni, an angel of light" (1979 and earlier editions). That was removed but why? Maybe because Mormon Doctrine read, "ANGEL OF LIGHT - See devil" (1966 ed., p. 35). So that is very clear like the Bible is clear about Moroni. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Orson Pratt said, Moroni "translated a record that contained the everlasting Gospel in all its fullness" (JD, Vol. 18, p. 175, 1876). Who but that angel of light would have changed the saving gospel of Jesus Christ which is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?
31 - IF JESUS CHRIST IS IN THE NAME OF THE LDS CHURCH, DOESN’T IT FOLLOW THAT MORMONS HAVE TO BE CHRISTIANS?
Joseph Smith contentiously opposed Christianity. He claimed "they were all wrong...their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt" (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith - History 1:18-20).
Brigham Young contemptuously held that "The Christian world, so called, are heathens as to their knowledge of salvation of God…With regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:171, 199).
Is the Book of Mormon another testament of Christ? Then why say Christianity is "the church of the devil...the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth"? (1 Nephi 14:10). Trusting in the Bible alone is to be "fools" (2 Nephi 29:3-6).
More is in the Doctrine and Covenants. It identifies the LDS as "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (1:30). But it says that Christians "build up the kingdom of the devil" (10:56).
We find that same spirit of contention being very strong as the temple ceremonies mock Christians, especially before being changed. The Manti Pageant openly bashes and misrepresents Christianity.
A Mormon writer claims there is no way to exclude the LDS from Christianity. But Jesus corrects him in Matthew 7:21-23. Elderly Mormons remember when the LDS were "not" Christians. So when did the LDS church become Christian? Where do we read the apologies? When did it embrace the truth to change to Christianity? Has the church renounced the theology, the history, the hostility, and the years of apostasy from Biblical Christianity? If not, then we know the present leadership agrees with the past.
Can Mormonism be excluded from Christianity? It has excluded itself. The symbols to represent a faith include the golden calf, the Star of David, a dome on a Mosque, and for the LDS, the golden Moroni. But Christianity looks to the cross of Jesus Christ. The symbol of Moroni properly distinguishes the LDS outside of the Christian faith.
Christians look on with dismay. How can any religion redefine God, redefine Jesus Christ, and redefine the gospel and then claim to be Christian? All of the LDS "scriptures" have drastically changed in this brief history of the LDS church. The living LDS prophets have learned not to prophecy or to write "scriptures" because the earlier LDS prophets were rarely even close to getting anything right. Mormonism cannot be Christian until it denounces its heresies. So let the LDS church take "JESUS CHRIST" from its elder badges and just put Mormonism there, because the LDS church does not know Jesus Christ.
While Bible Christianity invites research to determine its credibility, history, prophecy, archeology and scientific facts, why is Mormonism so offended over investigation? And what they fail to understand is that nobody is really a "Christian" by simply joining any certain church.
What if I after writing this, I bear witness to you that I am a Mormon? What would you say? "No, you’re not." You might ask me if I reject Joseph Smith and all of the LDS prophets as of God? Do I believe in the Book of Mormon and LDS Scriptures? Do I think the baptisms for the dead are valid? And what about the temple endowments and the LDS gospel? I say, I definitely do not believe in any of it.
Then would say to me that I’m not a Mormon because I do not believe what Mormons believe. That’s it exactly! And that is why the LDS cannot claim to be Christians when they refuse to accept what the Bible teaches and what the true Christians believe. Christians never claim to be Mormons, so then why do Mormons claim to be Christians?
God warns about those who bring the doctrines of another Jesus. Does the LDS faith pass the test of Scripture? No. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Mormonism has many defenders but no defense.
32 - WHICH JESUS IS YOUR JESUS?
When a faith claims to know Jesus, does that make it be Christianity?
The Cosmic Christ of Matthew Fox is just the "I am" in every creature.
The Course in Miracles Jesus is our combined Christ consciousness. Oprah claims her Jesus is not the only way or he would be the biggest egotist who ever lived. The New Ager’s Jesus is a spirit guide as the Christ-consciousness within and encountered by visualization. David Spangler’s Christ is the same force as Lucifer with an invitation into the New Age.
Benjamin Crème from his master, Lord Maitreya’s Christ is the Master of all the Masters but not God and never claimed to be God.
Eckankar’s Jesus was the Ultimate Guru as one of all of the saviors and prophets who came to earth.
The Family (Children of God) Jesus was just another sinner.
The Golden Ruler’s Jesus was just an example so you could save yourself.
Islam-Sura’s Jesus was no more than a mortal Allah favored and made an example to the Israelites.
The Jehovah’s Witness Jesus is Michael the Archangel who became a man.
The Masonic Jesus like the Bahai’s Jesus is just a dead prophet like Mohammed.
The Oneness Pentecostal’s Son of God existed from all eternity as a plan in the mind of God. The United Pentecostal Jesus is the Father and the Holy Spirit. .
Roy Masters Jesus is an inner revelation process.
The Christian Science Jesus is a Divine Idea.
The Scientology Jesus was not enlightened as a shade above clear. The real messiah is Hubbard.
Self-Realization Fellowship says Christ is the universal consciousness and oneness with God.
The spiritist Jesus of the occult is the ultimate medium in the sixth sphere of astral projection.
The Theosophy Jesus is the reincarnation of the world’s soul.
The Transcendental Meditation Christ says to be still and know that you are God.
The Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon’s Jesus is an error to think Jesus was God since he is no different from other men.
The Unitarian Universalism Jesus is not to be regarded as supernatural.
The Divine Life Society Integral Yoga Institute Christ is not a person but an experience like Nirvana.
The Way International Jesus existed only in the mind of God before conception into Mary's womb.
If I gave you some paint and a brush, do you suppose you could improve on the Mona Lisa or would you mess it up? Who is the original Jesus? Every false religion tries to diminish Jesus Christ. Jesus is under examination, but if you dissolve a painting it is not worth much. And if you chip down Jesus Christ, He is not worth much. However, it is not this painting who is on trial. You are!
Who is Jesus? To every eternity-bound soul, anything else should pale in comparison to this question. Walter Martin, an expert on the cults, often commented that the name "Jesus" is the union card of the cults. Everyone has a Jesus but are they Christians? If you don’t know where the goal posts are, how are you going to get in the game?
Who is the Jesus of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints? The Book of Mormon warns to "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" (Ether 12:41). So we ask the LDS kids leaving on their missions: "Are you going to preach Mormon doctrine or Book of Mormon doctrine?" because they are not the same."
33 - IS JESUS CHRIST A FALSE GOD OR IS HE THE ALMIGHTY GOD?
The role as God will never be shared. "I am He; before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me" (Isaiah 43:10). Then can Jesus Christ be God before God? God after God? No.
There are clear Biblical distinctions between the true God and the false gods. Satan is "the god of this world" but is he God? (2 Corinthians 4:4). Moses seemed as a god to Pharaoh but was he the eternal God? (Exodus 7:1). Cornelius wanted to worship Peter as a god (Acts 10:26-27). Herod was viewed as a god (Acts 12:21-22). Idolatry worships idols, people, or devils as gods because anything can be "called gods"(1 Corinthians 8:5-6).
"Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods" (Galatians 4:8). "By nature" were any of these the true God. The devils are fallen angels by nature. They are not God and they are not human. People are human by nature. We are not angels or gods in embryo. But the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in essence "by nature" the eternal God.
The devil wanting to be worshipped as God will be "brought down to hell" (Matthew 4:9; Isaiah 14:12-15). False gods are judged.
God granted the dishonest judges power to sit in seats of authority to rule in His stead, but God mocks them to say, "Ye are gods…But ye shall die like men" (Psalm 82:6-7). The false gods are judged. For insight on John 10:34 see "In the Beginning Man" at <www.letusreason.org/LDS8.htm>. Or see "Kings and Priests, YES, Gods – NEVER" at <www.macGregorministries.org/>.
Can you think to copy the Alpha and Omega and attain Godhood? If the Lord is the first, how can a man copy that? Without living perfectly, exaltation is impossible to the LDS (Mormon Doctrine, p. 237; Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.3, p. 26; Doctrines of Salvation 2:6). "This progress toward eternal life is a matter of achieving perfection…the repentance which merits forgiveness. It is that the former transgressor must have reached a ‘point of no return’ to sin" (LDS prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 208, 354-355).
What happens to all little "g" gods? The self-exalting gods are imposters and will perish. How chilling to the LDS reading this fact in Jeremiah 10:10-11. "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish." False gods will be judged.
34 - DOES THE BIBLE IDENTIFY JESUS AS BEING GOD?
Who is the Almighty God? Do the LDS know? Jesus said the Old Testament Scriptures are about Him. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:39-40). Have you come to Jesus Christ alone for eternal life? Who is Jesus Christ according to the Bible?
1. Jesus is the true God (I John 5:20). In Greek grammar, "this" refers to the closest noun in the masculine gender. Therefore "Christ" is the true God. The Bible (or even the Book of Mormon) does not waver from there being only one true God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5,6,14,18,21,22).
2. The word "one" speaks of singularity, generally speaking. The Holy Spirit is Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17). But in Isaiah 44:6, both the Father and the Son (two Persons) are the one Lord. For "one" God as in Deuteronomy 6:4, the word is a Hebrew composite unity of one. One family or one crowd speaks of multiple persons as one (Genesis 2:24; Ezra 3:1). If James and Jenny have a son, Jimmy, each is a distinct person. They are three but one as a family. They might send Jimmy to the store. Jesus is one of the three Persons within the Godhead. The one God sent Jesus to earth.
3. Jesus is the coming One in (Revelation 22:20), but the coming One is Almighty God (Rev. 1:8).
4. Jesus coming and fulfilling prophecy is synonymous to God coming to earth (Mat. 1:23).
5. Jesus is identified as God by the Father (Hebrews 1:8). The Father calls the Son "God" and the Son calls the Father "God" (John 20:17).
6. The Greek distinctively calls Jesus "the God" (Mat. 1:23; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8), so Bible prophecy, the disciples and the Heavenly Father give the identity of "the God" Jesus Christ.
7. Jesus possesses all that is necessary for His position within the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). "All" means all and "full" means full! So Christ is lacking no quality of deity.
8. Jesus is the great "I am," the self-existent, eternal God (John 8:24,58; Exodus 3:14. See Septuagint). Yesterday, Jesus was not "I was." Tomorrow He is not "I will be." Jesus Christ transcends time in every direction. You have one of two ways to die, either as a believer or as a doubter. Jesus warns, "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).
The religious Pharisees attacked His credentials. Which way would you die, in your sins or secure in Christ? So you either bear your sins or else Jesus bore your sins at the cross. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Can you say you "know" you have eternal life today? (1 John 5:13).
9. Jesus is God, the only Savior (Isaiah 45:21; Luke 2:11; Titus 1:3-4; 2:13). In Titus 2:13 the word "and" is connecting two nouns with a definite article in front of the first and not the second. This means it is connecting equals. There are 256 usages of this principle and no exceptions to the Greek rule. The great God is Jesus Christ!
10. Jesus was resurrected by God (Acts 2:24,32). But Jesus claimed He would resurrect His own body from the dead. The disciples believed Him and the Scriptures (John 2:18-22). He functioned without a body before the world was, so while His body was in the tomb, the spirit of Jesus was alive.
11. Jesus is from everlasting (Micah 5:2). This is only true of God (Psalm 90:2).
12. Jesus is the LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16; Deuteronomy 10:17). He is not "LORD of all the other Lords except One." There is only one Lord God (Jude 4). John wrote "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" larger than any of the other words in Revelation 19:16. Make no mistake about it, Jesus Christ is God!
13. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). "The LORD is my Shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). Jesus is the Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20. There are not two Shepherds with two folds in heaven and earth or living in their own worlds (John 10:16).
14. Jesus was pierced (John 19:37; Revelation 1:7). Prophetically the LORD God who made heaven and earth says it was "me" (Zechariah 12:10).
35 - WHAT ARE SOME OBJECTIONS TO JESUS BEING DEITY?
Religious objections include:
1. Jesus was "subject" to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:28). Yes, but Jesus was subject to Joseph and Mary too. He was never inferior to them (Luke 2:51). Jesus Christ was willingly subject but never inferior in nature (Galatians 4:8).
2. The Father is "greater" than Jesus (John 14:28). Greater does not translate as better or superior. Greater speaks of position, not nature. Jesus spoke this from His earthly position. A husband is the head over his wife (1 Corinthians 11:4) but the wife is never inferior by nature. Both are equally human. Rather the husband has the "greater" position and responsibility as the leader. A general has greater position than does a sergeant. Both are men. Clearly, Jesus as God is not inferior by nature.
3. Jesus was "the beginning of creation" (or beginner) (Revelation 3:14). In the Greek, He was the "arche," as the "architect" of the project. An architect is not part of what is made like a wall. Creation did not produce Jesus; Jesus produced creation!
4. Is Jesus is the "wisdom" produced in creation (Proverbs 8)? In context wisdom is "my sister" (7:4). If Jesus is "wisdom" then who is the other character in 8:1? To confuse personifications and poetic symbolism is a sure way to great foolishness.
5. Jesus is "the firstborn" (Colossians 1:15). Firstborn is not the word for "first-created" in origin. It is the word for a natural heir or priority position. In context, Jesus holds all things together (vs. 17) being the firstborn in preeminence" (vs. 18). Joseph’s youngest son (Jer. 31:9; Gen. 41:51), David the eighth son (1 Sam. 16:10-13; Psalm 89:27), and Israel as a nation (Exodus 4:22) are all firstborn in preeminent position.
6. Jesus is the "only begotten Son." "Son" is not the Greek word for offspring or little born one, but Jesus is uniquely the eternal Son of God (Psalm 2:7, explained in Acts 13:33). Isaac was the only begotten son of Abraham yet Ishmael was his first son (Hebrews 11:17). Ishmael was a genuine son like Jacob’s sons, but Isaac was uniquely the son of Messiah’s line.
7. The word "Trinity" is not in the Bible. Neither is "theocracy," "Christendom," or "millennium." But they are all useful for describing truth. Jesus Christ is God, one of the three Persons of our one triune God.
36 - IS JESUS CHRIST DEITY? IS HE HUMANITY?
If He has no DEITY, why did Isaiah prophesy "a Son is given"? (Isaiah 9:6b). If He has no HUMANITY, why did He write, "For unto us a child is born"? (Isaiah 9:6a).
If He has no DEITY, when was Jehovah God sold for 30 pieces of silver? (Zechariah 11:11-13). If He has no HUMANITY, who did Judas sell for 30 pieces of silver? (Matthew 26:14-16).
If He has no DEITY, Whose eyes are like a flame of fire? (Revelation 1:14). If He has no HUMANITY, who lamented over the city of Jerusalem and was weeping at the grave of Lazarus? (Matthew 23:37; John 11:35).
If He has no DEITY, who is He whose hair was white like wool, as white as snow? (Revelation 1:14). If He has no HUMANITY, whose hair was matted and dripping with His own blood under a crown of thorns? (Matthew 27:29).
If He has no DEITY, how is Jehovah God pierced? (Zechariah 12:10). If He has no HUMANITY, who was pierced and crying out from an old rugged cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"? (Luke 23:34; John 19:37; Revelation 1:7).
If He has no DEITY, who stepped out on the front porch of Glory, looked at nothing and made everything? (John 1:3). If He has no HUMANITY, whose body lay behind the stone that He made? (John 20:1).
If He has no DEITY, who said, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will lift it up"? (John 2:19). If He has no HUMANITY, why did John say, He was speaking of His "body"? (John 2:21).
If He has no DEITY, why are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit three different Persons of one true God? (Isaiah 45:5-6; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; John 14:16; 2 Cor. 13:14). If He has no HUMANITY, why did He have half brothers and sisters as different persons of His one human family? (Psalm 69:8; Mat. 13:54-56).
Jesus is the Almighty God. He was in the "form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). So was He just pretending to be a servant or was He really a servant? Jesus is in the "form of God" (vs. 6). Was He just pretending to be God or is God? The answer is obvious.
If you have the right Jesus, you are right for all eternity. But if you have the wrong Jesus, you will be wrong for all of eternity. Have you ever wondered where to turn for the truth? Is it to a church, a temple, or a prophet? Early Christians turned first of all to Jesus Christ as being the Truth to set you free (John 8:32,36; 14:6).
Do the LDS have the God of the Lord’s apostles? Who is Jesus? "My Lord and my God"? (John 20:28). Jesus is "God". But He is more to believes. Jesus Christ is "my God" to those who trust Him.
Jesus, as the good Rabbi, would have corrected Thomas if what he said was wrong. Rather He affirmed, exactly right, that Thomas was a true believer, even to say that you and I need to believe the very same thing to be equally blessed (vs.29).
Is He God to you? Is Jesus Christ your God? If not, why not make your relationship personal with Jesus Christ as "My Lord and my God" today? Will you receive Jesus Christ as your own God, your Jehovah, your Sovereign, and your Deity?
This is not meant to hurt the precious Mormon people. To personally know the true God is the only way to gain eternal life (John 17:3; 1 John 5:13). I suggest for anyone to read the Book of John, underline everything about how to have eternal life and who Jesus is, and then TRUST HIM!
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