Allow
me to say this outright, Mormonism is a CULT. Every person standing on the
podium professing themselves to be Christians for the Republican Nomination
believe in their hearts, it is a CULT. Rick Perry during his CPAC speech to time took time from his schedule to take a swipe at Mitt Romney. Due to their lack of understanding they
don’t know specifically why yet but they believe it to be so. That may be
strong language referring to their understanding of Scripture. But...
From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks(Matthew 12:34). I listen
to their doctrine and what proceeds from their mouth. What they say is
contradictory to what the plain Scriptures teach, especially Bachmann.
I
first stumbled upon the teachings of Mormonism in the early 90s. The fellowship
I was attending spoke about its teachings. In the book the Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the
Occult the first
sentence reads “Mormonism is one of the most effective counterfeits of biblical
Christianity ever devised."
Joseph
Smith the founder of Mormonism claims he had a vision of God and his son and
they revealed to him that all Churches creeds were an abomination. Smith is the
prophet chosen of God to bring a better more true word. The oral history of
Smith’s account sounds very occultic in nature and doctrine. I understand there
is going to be a fundamental difference between Christianity, Judaism, and
Messianic teachings compared to Mormonism.
In
Bob Larson’s New Book of Cults it says “Then one day in 1820,
while praying in the woods, Joseph Smith received his fabled vision of God and
Jesus. In 1823 another personage, an angel named Moroni, appeared at his
bedside. The visitor claimed to be the son of Mormon, the departed leader of an
American race known as Nephite. Moroni told him about a bood of golden plates
that contained “the fullness of the everlasting gospel.” Four years later, in
the hill named Cumorah (near Palmyra, New York), Smith unearthed the plates.
Buried with them was a pair of large, supernatural spectacles known as the
“Urim and Thummim “ they were to be used in translating the hieroglyphics on
the plates, a language called “reformed Egyptian.” (Archaeologists and
Egyptologists deny there is any historical evidence to validate the existence
of such a form of communication.) Joseph immediately began his work of
translating the plates. He claimed that later during this time John the Baptist
(sent by Peter, James, and John) appeared to him and administered a divine
ordination. When the translation work was completed (with the help of
Oliver Cowdery, an itinerant schoolteacher, and Emma Hale, his first and only
legal wife) he returned the plates to Moroni. The Book of Mormon was published
in 1830. A subtitle, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” was recently added to
make the Book of Mormon appear to be more closely linked with orthodox
Christianity. On April 6 of that same year, Cowdery, Smith, and his brothers,
Hyrum and Samuel, officially formed the church of Jesus Christ, now known as
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
It
is stated in many accounts Joseph Smith had difficulty in learning. He also had
practiced in the occult with his divining rods as well and peek or seer stones.
Many believe a young Joseph had special powers.
The
subject and teaching of Mormonism is vast and can easily be disputed. You can
find countless volumes at Christian bookstores the subject has been spoken
about ad nauseum. I’m simply showing a detail pertaining to their beliefs. In
no way is this comprehensive. Before I continue allow me to share a rule of
study I live by. Aside from knowing the oral history of a particular religion,
it’s important you understand what you believe. When you have carefully studied
the true teachings of Scripture, you can always spot a counterfeit and
erroneous teachings.
It’s
important I mention my ethnicity. You will understand why in a moment. One of
the early teachings of theMormon Church was blacks were cursed or spawned from
Satan. This doctrine is called the Curse of Cain. For comprehensive work on
this subject gohere but
this is a brief description from the site. The Curse of Cain Doctrine-an
official doctrine of the LDS Church, taught by numerous Mormon prophets and
apostles since 1848 until at least 1978. They taught that "Negroes"
were "cursed" and "inferior" and "children of
Cain" and that Cain was a white man until turned into the first
"Negro" by the LORD after he had killed Abel. Then he married his
sister who became the second "Negro" and all Negroes are the
descendants of Cain and the "Mark of Cain" was a black skin, flat
nose, and kinky hair. The Curse of Cain was not supposed to end until after the
Millennium (1000 year reign of Christ on earth); when Negro women would have
white Caucasian children; a "sign" that the LORD had lifted the Curse
of Cain off of the Negroes. At no time did church leaders ever
say that the Curse of Cain Doctrine was their "personal opinion" or
"speculation". They always presented
it as "Revelation" and called it "a doctrine of the church"
in several official statements by the First Presidency. As of today the
doctrine as well as knowledge of it has been white-washed and denied.
In
dealing with scripture all we have to do is simple deduction. (Gen 9:20-27)
This part of scripture has been much debated and will continue to be debated.
Their isn’t clear conclusive evidence why Canaan was cursed and not Ham. It
stands to reason Ham must have saw a lewd act being performed on Noah from
Canaan. Notice when Noah awakes he curses Canaan. To keep this brief Ham was
either the middle or second son, not his youngest. The subject has been used to
enslave blacks as if it’s their right to be enslaved. Notice in the movie the
Book of Eli, the Bible was the book everyone wanted. It’s still being used
today to enslave people by keeping them ignorant. This is a very lengthy
subject that needs proper handling. My only point is to show, who was cursed.
Central
to the faith the Bible is our ultimate authority that was sent for us to live
by, our foundation and our faith lies within it. Mormons believe the book of Mormon
and Pearl of great Price were divinely given. So much in fact in the bible i.e.
KJV differs they should follow what the book of Mormon teaches.
The
religion and belief system is very strange at best. These are yet brief
disagreements of their teachings.
As
I mentioned earlier know and understand what you believe. Understand this. Mormons and
Jehovah’s Witness, these two groups are well rehearsed in what they believe in,
unlike the Christian faith. Visit 10 different Church’s and receive 10
different messages from the same Bible. Everyone isn’t going to believe the
same, but on basic doctrinal issue that should be germane. Look at my site
mannadailylife.blogspot.com under statement of faith. It is an overview of
doctrine that all believers should understand. We must be equipped and able to
defend the faith properly. These other group practice this religiously, they
equip their people by having them attend school to become indoctrinated in the
religion and culture. From their they send them out into the wild. Notice when
you are approached they are courteous but they stick to the script. I jokingly
say they can make a spiritual pretzel out of the average Christian.
At
the heart of the debate the belief systems of the candidates could prove to be
problematic. Remember we cannot distance ourselves from what we believe. The
question of servitude is very important. The second Bush showed this when
questioned about attacking Iraq. He replied with “God told me too”. This is the
very reason religion and politics can become bed fellows. It’s important that
we understand the clear distinction between separation of Church and State. My
book is coming soon, God the Bible and Politics, properly framing the argument.
Romney, Santorum, Bachman, and Perry are ill fitted to run the country. When
you are so willfully ignorant of scripture(Bachman, Perry) you start to have
itching ears.
Lastly
do not think for one moment Christians do not think Mormonism is a cult or that
the Charismatic leanings of Perry and Bachman share are the true teachings of
Christianity. We can’t disavow who we are and what we stand for. We are the
Eklessia(called out ones). Below is a brief primer of what the Mormon doctrine
teaches and a counter to What the Bible teaches. This religion is built on shaky
ground from the beginning, historically and doctrinally.
Yahshua
the Messiah (Jesus Christ)
We believe that Yahshua is the Messiah whose birth was predicted by the
prophets of the Old Testament. He was the Word made Flesh and we behold his
glory as the only begotten of the Father(Jn 1:14). He pre-existed with the
Father before the foundations of the earth (Mic 5:2; Jn 16:28-30; Jn 17:5; Php
2:5-8), was a descendant of the tribe of Judha(Gen 49:10; Lk 3:23-24), was born
of a virgin in Bethelem(Is 7:14; Mic 5:2; Mt 1:18; Mt 2:1), and betrayed 30
pieces of silver(Zech 11:12; Mt 26:15) in addition to many other fulfilled prophecies.
He provided remission for our sins through His sinless life paired with His
death upon the Tree of Crucifixion(Isa 53: 2Cor 5:21; Heb 9). The third
full day after His death, he rose again demonstrating the promise of our future
resurrection(Mt 12:40; Rom 5:6-12, 1Cor 15:1-8; 1Jn 5:9-13).
The
Mormon doctrine teaches, Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer, that Michael
the archangel cohabitated eve to have a child (Jesus). This is impossible for
scripture teaches angels are neutered.
Salvation
We believe the scriptures clearly teach that salvation is freely given to every
member of the human race who accepts it. Anyone who accepts Yahshua and the
faith is welcome in the family of Yahweh regardless of race. Through His blood,
we are made one united body of Yahshua the Messiah(Jn 1: 12; Eph 1:7, 4:32;
1Pet 1:2-4).
Mormons
teach Christ’s death and atonement only removes guilt for past sins. Man earns
his own salvation through Christ. They practice a type of duality salvation,
general and individual. General is Christ’s resurrection from the dead, all
creatures have immortality. Individual means adhering to articles 3 and 4 of
their Articles of Faith. Meaning they must do good works, repentance, baptism
by immersion, laying on of hands, and obedience to Mormon teachings.
Mormonism
is a strange and very secretive religion almost as strange as scientology. I
leave you with a quote from the founder.
You
don't know me – you never will. You never knew my heart. No man knows my
history. I cannot tell it; I shall never undertake it. I don't blame anyone for
not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I could not
have believed it myself.
–
Joseph Smith, April 7, 1844.
