Brief Examination of Mormonism

Text: 1 John 4:1,6

Mormonism, like any other human religion, teaches some things that are true and some things that are false. In this lesson, we’ll consider a few fundamental Mormon doctrines & compare them with Scripture.

Sources of Divine Inspiration

  • Mormons believe in four sources of divine inspiration – the Bible (insofar as it has been translated correctly), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price
  • Mormons also believe that revelation is ongoing – through apostles & prophets in the church
  • We believe there is one source of divine inspiration today – the Bible (Jude 3); we are not to add to it (2 John 9), take from it (Acts 20:27), or change it (Galatians 1:6-9)
  • There is no ongoing revelation – prophecies have ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-10); apostleship is proven by signs and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12; Mark 16:17-20)

The Nature of God

  • Mormons believe that God the Father was once just a man – He was exalted to the level of Godhood because of His righteous life
  • Therefore, you have the potential of other “gods”
  • God was not once a man – He was/is eternal (Psalm 90:2); He is Spirit (John 4:24)
  • There is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8)

The Person of Christ

  • Mormons believe some things about Jesus that are true – Son of God, virgin birth, possessed powers/traits of deity on earth, performed miracles, atoned for sin
  • But they believe some things that are not true – Jesus’ spirit existed before conception in the same way as the spirits of all men (including Satan) existed beforehand
  • The Scriptures teach that Jesus existed eternally as God (John 1:1-2)
  • Jesus existed before conception, but men did not (John 8:58)

The Afterlife

  • Joseph Smith taught of four kingdoms in the after life – celestial (in direct glory of God); terrestrial (in “reflected glory” of God); telestial (outside of presence of God, but not in outer darkness); outer darkness
  • The Bible teaches that there are just two “kingdoms” after this life – heaven & hell (Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46)

Conclusion

  • Mormons, for the most part, are good, moral people – yet they believe a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)
  • The gospel of Christ, as revealed in the NT, is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16)
  • We must hear, believe, and obey the gospel – be on guard against any other gospel