Vol. 9, No. 9, 1992

Articles on Mormonism

by Eddie O'Krongly

The Mormon church practices a strange type of controlled schizophrenia that is common to most cults. This multiple personality disorder is readily seen through even a cursory examination of the groups history, either doctrinal or chronological.

This article will expose how this double mindedness manifests itself through Mormonism's own scriptures. The key discovery any Mormon needs to make through this information is the following:

If the Book of Mormon claims that God, Christ or Salvation is one way and the Doctrine and Covenants contradicts those claims; then, one, the other, or both books are not inspired by God.

If that is the case then the Mormon church is just another multi-million dollar organization that only propagates it's mythical claim of Prophecy through good public relations.

Since no Mormon can claim that their own scriptures are "anti-Mormon" material; the scripture references in this article are excellent for Christians who desire to witness to their Mormon friends and relatives.

Doctrine of God

The first concept that should be examined is that of God or Heavenly Father. The Doctrine and Covenants professes that God, "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also" (130:22).

This is the Mormon church's current doctrine on the subject. But, the Book of Mormon says nothing about God having a body. In fact the "fullness of the Gospel" according to Joseph Smith, says that God is Spirit.

In teaching a king about God's nature a Book of Mormon Prophet said, "Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit? And he (the king) said, Yea. And Ammon (the Prophet) said: This is God" (Alma 18:26-28 parenthesis added).

Then again the king asks another Prophet, "Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem. And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth"

Mormonism's claim that both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are inspired scripture falls apart on this one point. But, there is more.

Doctrine of Jesus

When one studies Mormonism's view of Jesus Christ confusion often results. To show how Mormonism's God the Father and Jesus are separate, look again at Doctrines and Covenants 130:22. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the son also" If this is the case then the following conclusion could be drawn, which no knowledgeable Mormon would contest. If the Father and Christ both have bodies then they are indeed separate persons in the Godhead. Therefore God the Father could not have come down and become Christ. They are separate persons.

The Book of Mormon teaches an exact contradiction to this.

It teaches that God himself became Jesus Christ. In Mormon understanding when the Book of Mormon says "God" it refers to "God the Father." The Book of Mormon says, "Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man" (Mosiah 13:34).

Again, the Book of Mormon also says, "God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people" (Mosiah 15:1).

Could there be any more of a contradiction between doctrines? If God the Father has a physical body and Jesus Christ has a separate physical body then how could "God himself" come down and "redeem his people."

Doctrine of Salvation

Finally, how is salvation attained in Mormonism? The Doctrine and Covenants teaches this about salvation, "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (59:23)

Also, and of great significance, the Doctrine and Covenants says that he who receives the Book of Mormon gets eternal life. "And gave him (Joseph Smith) power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon

"And those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life; But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation" (20:8,14-15 parenthesis added)

So, according to the Doctrine and Covenants, one must receive and accept the Book of Mormon in order to be saved. But the Book of Mormon teaches an opposite God and Jesus Christ than does the Doctrine and Covenants. It also teaches an opposite way to salvation. Carefully read the following verses from the Book of Mormon.

"And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free."

"And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever."

"Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit"

"There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, they that believe in him shall be saved" (2 Nephi 2:5-9).

Conclusion

Anyone who believes he has a testimony of the Book of Mormon should take careful stock in the differences between this book and the Doctrine and Covenants. They are separate books with separate doctrines. Both cannot be of God and therefore, will ultimately lead to death and hell.

The answer to the doctrinal schizophrenia of these books is not prayer. Since each book teaches a different God, which god is the one a person should pray to? No, the answer comes from carefully comparing these doctrines to the true and living word of God found in the Holy Bible. Only through the Bible will one find the true nature of God, the true role of Jesus Christ and the true path to eternal life.