LDS Professor James Faulconer recently posed and answered the question, “How Do Mormons Understand the Gospel?” After exploring a few ideas, he concluded,
“Mormons differ from other Christians in significant ways, but there is little difference between us in our understanding of the gospel.”
I won’t speak to how Mormons-in-the-pew “understand the gospel,” but regarding the “gospel” as understood and taught by Mormon leadership, Dr. Faulconer is dead wrong.
In defining “the gospel,” Dr. Faulconer began with a quote from the LDS Bible Dictionary:
“The LDS Bible Dictionary, an appendix to the LDS edition of the King James translation of the Bible, defines the gospel as ‘The good news that Jesus Christ has made a perfect atonement for mankind that will redeem all mankind from the grave and reward each individual according to his / her works.’”
On the surface this sounds at least partially compatible with the Christian Gospel, but it should be noted that the quote Dr. Faulconer chose from the LDS Bible Dictionary is not a definition for “the gospel.” Rather, it is part of the definition for “Gospels” — the group of four books of the Bible that records the good news of Christ’s “mortal life and the events pertaining to his ministry.” This dictionary entry focuses on the definition of the word (as the definition begins, “The word gospel means good news”) rather than the doctrinal content of the gospel. Dr. Faulconer agreed that this definition was “incomplete.”
The LDS Bible Dictionary does not contain an entry for “The Gospel,” but the Mormon Church defines it elsewhere. At the LDS website, “Gospel” is defined as “…our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness…” Additionally, “In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom.”
This definition is consistent with that found in Bruce McConkie’s book, Mormon Doctrine:
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan of salvation. It embraces all of the laws, principles, doctrines, rites, ordinances, acts, powers, authorities, and keys necessary to save and exalt men in the highest heaven hereafter.” (“Gospel,” 331)
In his article, Dr. Faulconer mentioned the inclusion of “laws and ordinances” in a gospel context. He quoted articles 3 and 4 from the Mormon Articles of Faith and included his own commentary:
“’We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.’ (Article of Faith 3)
“The laws and ordinances of the gospel are those that the resurrected Jesus teaches us: have faith, repent, be baptized, and receive and live by the direction of the Holy Ghost. And the next Article of Faith tells us that those four things are what the previous Article of Faith meant by ‘laws and ordinances’:
“’We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ (Article of Faith 4)”
Therefore, Dr. Faulconer wrote, “the fundamental meaning of gospel for Mormons is that if we wish to receive the gift of atonement offered by Christ, we must repent, be born again in baptism, and receive the Holy Ghost (all of which, of course, presume that we have faith, in other words, trust in Jesus Christ).”
It was this reasoning that led Dr. Faulconer to claim that there is little difference between how Mormons and Christians understand the gospel. Indeed, who could find fault with holding to a trusting faith in Christ, lived out in repentance, baptism and reception of the Holy Ghost?
Yet again, this definition is incomplete. Fourteenth LDS President Howard W. Hunter, while still an apostle, explained that these same “first principles” are merely a “preparatory” gospel. He wrote,
“These four are only the first of all the principles and ordinances of the gospel. Returning to the words of the Savior to the Nephites, we learn that after complying with these four, there must be a lifetime of compliance with the laws and commandments of the Lord, for he said, ‘… and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.’ (3 Ne[phi] 27:16.)
“The first principles alone are not sufficient: man is thereafter accountable in the eternal judgment for what he has done in life, whether good or evil. The atonement was for this very purpose, to bring about the resurrection and subsequent judgment of all men.” (“This Is My Gospel,” Ensign, July 1973)
While Dr. Faulconer would like to restrict the Mormon “gospel” to something he believes Christians might be willing to embrace (if we don’t look too closely), his definition is not true to Mormonism.
The Mormon “gospel” is human-centered and laden with laws and ordinances. Contrary to Dr. Faulconer’s conclusion, this “gospel” bears no actual resemblance to the Christ-centered Christian Gospel, expressed here by Pastor Jeff Purswell of Sovereign Grace Ministries:
“The gospel is the good news of God’s saving activity in the person and work of Christ. This includes his incarnation in which he took to himself full (yet sinless) human nature; his sinless life which fulfilled the perfect law of God; his substitutionary death which paid the penalty for man’s sin and satisfied the righteous wrath of God; his resurrection demonstrating God’s satisfaction with his sacrifice; and his glorification and ascension to the right hand of the Father where he now reigns and intercedes for the church.”
Put simply, “…the gospel announces ‘God’s gift of righteousness through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 3:21-32). The [Mormon gospel] is unyielding. It commands, but doesn’t give. The [Mormon gospel] says, ‘Do!’, but the [Christian] gospel says, ‘Done!’” *
To be continued…
* I have here substituted “Mormon gospel” in place of “law” in Michael Horton’s helpful comment on the distinction between the law and the gospel.
The bottom line here is that Mormonism promotes a “different Gospel” from that which is known as orthodox, Biblical Christianity. This is an interesting quote from Faulconer:
“Mormons differ from other Christians in significant ways, but there is little difference between us in our understanding of the gospel.”
I’m always looking for the Mormon wiggle room and probably parse these things a little too much but is the key word here “understanding”.
Is he talking about a competency and mastery of the concept of “understanding”. Benjamin Bloom talks about a hierarchy of learning starting with “knowing”, then “understanding”, then going up the chain we have “application”, “analysis” and finally “synthesis”.
So is Faulconer talking about how well Christians understand the Gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ, preached and taught by His disciples, and embraced by the Christian Church since its earliest days? Then is he talking about Mormons and how well they understand the gospel of Joseph Smith. Is he talking about “understanding” or is he talking about the Gospel?
Forgive me for straining at gnats but I know how blatantly dishonest Mormons are when it comes to trying to confuse the issue of what they believe and what Christians believe about the person and work of Jesus Christ and the nature of God. Mormons are dishonest about this because they do everything they can to hide from those ignorant of Mormonism, what Mormonism teaches and what Mormons believe.
So if Faulconer is talking about the actual differences in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the gospel of Joseph Smith, he’s being dishonest in his statement.
If he’s talking about “understanding” as a general concept as in Mormons understand Smith’s gospel and Christians understand Jesus’ Gospel then he’s right. Mormons have a way, however, in saying things in a way to hide the facts.
If only the Mormon people would simply compare what their apostles have taught as the
gospel of Jesus with what the original apostles taught in the New Testament. Mormon leaders
claim to have the same Church and the same gospel as the church of the ” former day ” Saints.
But a review of what Mormon apostles have taught as gospel truths since being allegedly
appointed by Jesus to do so reveals how these “modern day” apostles have mixed in their own
human ideas with what the New Testament reveals and then promoted this as Jesus’ ” restored
gospel ” . They liken their gospel to a ladder, the rungs on this ladder are the laws, rules
commands ,ordinances, rites, doctrines , that Mormons must climb in order to meet the
requirements for eternal /exaltation. But it’s a huge ladder that’s turned into a yoke around the
necks of sincere LDS striving to gain God’s favor and forgiveness —Matt 11:28-30; Gal. 2:16.
May the Mormon people exchange their apostles for ones that are more trustworthy in teaching
the gospel of Jesus , these other apostles can be found in the New Testament, and the gospel
that is revealed therein by them is sufficient and all that is necessary for a person to know and
embrace for forgiveness and a fullness of salvation .
Christianity has the original Gospel as delivered by Jesus to His disciples. There’s a paper trail. The Biblical Scriptures are sufficient. There’s no need for continual, progressive revelation. The only revelation that we need is for us to understand what God has (revealed).
The false Mormon prophets and apostles lack a very important ingredient in their revelation claims; some form of consistency. Even Joseph Smith couldn’t keep his own revealed gospel on course. That’s why there are so many different Mormon sects, each with their own revelation and understanding of what the revelation was exactly. For example, is polygamy necessary in order for a Mormon man to reach the highest levels of the Celestial Kingdom and deity status?
That’s no small, incidental claim that can be shuttled aside because the Federal Government put pressure on the religion to conform to societal norms. Blacks prohibited from receiving the priesthood is no small thing when it comes to the Mormon restored gospel. God being Adam isn’t just a minor folk doctrine to be accepted or rejected as the need arises.
Jesus is God. As God He provided the perfect sacrifice for sin. Forgiveness and the gift of eternal life comes through faith in Jesus. There isn’t any “Jesus + _________”. He is sufficient.
Here I go saying this again.
If we have the same gospel as Mormons claim, Then I should be able to dress like them, put on my elder badge, go door to door and claim I am from the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints, and give my gospel. LDS are very out spoken that I cannot do this.
They have said many times on this blog, No Rick you cannot, yet they cannot ever seem to explain why they can claim they are christian and give a different gospel, yet I cannot give my gospel and claim I am LDS. Why is that?
Well Rick it’s because Mormonism is a confused mess.
They are Christians right? And we are Christians right? But we are not Mormons right?
Mormons will even go so far as saying that we believe in the same God.
I’ve written here about how Andy Watson would showed up one time at a Mormon stake and sat in on one of their beginner type classes. When it came time for questions Andy raised his hand, introduced himself and said, “I am a born again Christian as evidenced by my accepting Jesus, through faith, as my personal savior. What can Mormonism do for me?” The elderly gentleman who was leading the class replied that Mormonism could do “nothing” for Andy.
I believe that in that moment the Holy Spirit moved on that man and had him reveal the truth of the matter to the people attending that class. Andy spoke the basic truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mormonism has a false gospel.
I guess a good example of a Christian would be similar to an Hasidic Jew. They don’t work they just study the scriptures and if I am correct the torah. They are burden to Israeli society because they live off of it. All they do is study religion.
I am wrong in that idea, but when you say that the Christian gospel says done! Why do anything else. You can live like the Hasidic jews and just study religion as long the community you’re in supports you. But I am wrong in that idea. A Christian does do something. They fit into society. They work like everyone. They just don’t do what I believe God might want a Christian to do. I think that some ideas have been covered by the false ideas we have of one another. I have been pondering the phrase ‘Don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.’ It seems to me that some people are doing the will of God but others are mocking them by telling them ‘You’re working your way into heaven. Some people can change and do God’s will immediately afterwards but others can’t change as quickly as that. It is interesting when people change they do the will of God perhaps without knowing they are doing it. But I could be wrong.
I see a parallel idea that is in this blog. But it seems that you commenters have decided that it is not there. Of the last three blogs only Mike R. Falcon And Rick are commenting. You have made up your mind that Mormonism is wrong. But I could be wrong.
clyde,
Of course I’ve made up my mind that Mormonism is wrong. That conclusion is based on study, prayer and revelation from God. In addition, it’s based on factual evidence regarding Mormonism.
What we believe as Christians is that nothing can be added to Jesus’ sacrifice. We do believe in a changed life as a result of repenting, coming to faith in Jesus Christ and being born again as the result (of that faith). It’s called having a regenerated spirit.
Paul writes about this in the Book of Romans where he asks the question, “Should we continue to sin that grace might increase?” Then he answers, “May it never be!”
All of your sincerity, piety, devotion, Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity and temple rituals will not get you saved.
We’re back to ground zero. Who is God? Who is Jesus? What is God’s plan of salvation? How does someone obtain eternal life? What does it mean to be born again (John chapter 3). Having been saved, how shall we then live?
Works testify to our status as believers in Jesus, but these works contribute nothing to our salvation. They are a result of being saved.
So I would ask clyde, do you understand this message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That’s the subject of the article Sharon wrote. I clearly understand the Mormon gospel and reject it. Do you clearly understand the Good News as it has been explained here and still reject it?
I don’t think I can make it any more plain.
Clyde,
Let me say to you, Give me a break. When you say we as Christians have made up our mind that your wrong, why is it ok for Mormons to act that way and think that way about us, but if we do it, well then, were wrong?
Is it not YOUR SCRIPTURE that teaches, Their are only two churchs, the true church, and the church of the devil? Well according to your scripture, I am in the devils Church. That means you clyde had made up your mind that, Muslims are wrong, JW’s are wrong, Buddhists are wrong, all other religions are wrong. Wow clyde, thats ok for you to teach and think, but wrong for us.
Who cares if only 3 people replied, why does that matter? So others choose not to, why does that mean something is wrong with, me and Falcon and Mike?
Who was it that God spoke to and said, all churchs are an abomination in my site? O-yea, that was YOUR PROPHET, Speaking about me and the church I go to. Why is that ok, but I cannot try and refute what he said?
Was it not your prophets and scripture that says, if Joseph Smith is wrong expose him as a liar? Meet your enemies in public and in the houses and debate these things? I can add more if you like. Why does your prophets teach this stuff and you guys ignore it? I know, you ignore it because you cannot honestly support all the changes and problems in Mormonism, so it’s easier to just close your eyes and bury your head in the sand. You dont really want to know the truth, you simply tell us we are wrong and accuse us of misinformation.
Clyde, much of what you said was difficult to understand , but there are two things you did
say that deserve a response :
1. you said : ” A Christian does do something”.
Absolutely ! [ Col. 3:17]
2. you said : ” You have made up your mind that Mormonism is wrong.”
Correct . [ Gal.1:8; 2Cor 11:4 ] . But don’t forget that although MormonISM is wrong ,
Mormons are right . They’re right decent neighbors, they’re right dedicated co-workers, who
unfortunately have been detoured by false apostles into embracing a counterfeit gospel . Hence
our pleading with them to recognize the danger they’re in — Matt 7:15
I don’t think you actually see what I am getting at. You guys have seemed to have formed your own little social group of people who agree with the blog leader-Aaron, Sharon or whoever. Anybody who comes in and says something different seems to get what maybe the same reaction one would get when not following party line of a Stalinist country. Do any of you guys read any mormon blogs? Or anything that might help you relate to people that is not a negative way. Can you think that you might be wrong? I might so I need to go study some more.
Mike
That is a neat way to say thing. I believe you are one of the best member of the three musketeers. I now have to ponder what you said.
Clyde,
Why is it we here can read what your scriptures say, The BoM, the D and C, the Pearl, we can listen to what your prophets and presidents have said and taught over the years, we can study your churchs teachings, we can even go to LDS church services, and yet despite all this, it really is we are really following the Blog writers?
I find it funny that LDS really do not know what they believe, nor do they know what was taught by their church or prophets. When these things are pointed out, like what I said above, we never seem to get an answer on this issue.
I had as I said, two MM come over to my house a few weeks ago, much of what I showed them from their/your scriptures, they claimed they never heard of before and never knew they existed, yet despite that, it was still my fault that I really dont want to hear the truth.
Here is something I said and showed them, Is it good if I listen to and follow what your prophet teaches and what your scriptures teach. They said yes. I said, ok, then here is some things I have read and I am doing, so why am I the bad guy here?
Cont
Orsan Pratt still pg 15.
clyde,
We do speak with one voice here because we all know what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and we know what the gospel of Joseph Smith is.
I don’t know if you’re reacting to Rick and my manner or if you are reacting to the actual content of what we say. Mike tends to be more gentle in his approach which is fine. Rick and I and a few of the posters who have passed through this blog will get an appraisal of our manner when Mormons have nothing to say about the content. In-other-words the personal style assessment is used to take us away from responding to the content in an attempt to get us off message.
Mike is a good guy and what I’d suggest is if you find you can relate to him, get his personal e mail from the moderators and establish a dialogue with him apart from this blog.
As to our topic, what you need to understand clearly is the difference between the two Gospels. That’s the subject of the article and what we should be focusing on. Again, “Who is God?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “What is God’s plan of salvation?”, “Having been born again, how are we to then live our lives?”
In the Mormon plan there are many gods. These gods have progressed from being men to becoming gods through a program of works. That’s the Mormon plan of salvation. Works are the pathway to personal deification in Mormonism.
So it comes down to whether or not you are going to buy into this system or if you are going to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ as clearly revealed in the Bible?
This isn’t just a case of putting your chips on red or black and watching the roulette wheel spin round and round.
So clyde,
What are we to learn by hanging out on Mormon blogs that we don’t already know? Maybe you should hang out on some ex-Mormon blogs to learn what they learned on their way out of Mormonism.
If I remember right, Rick’s been shunned by a whole bunch of Mormon blogs. Rick will have to confirm this but I think on one Mormon site they accused Rick of being a homosexual. I know grindael has been battling Mormons on his facebook site. It seems these nice folks are turning in false complaints about grindael in order to get his site shut down and/or suspended.
So help us out here, what critical piece of information do you think we are missing that we would find on a Mormon blog?
Clyde, I assure you that we have’nt formed some little social group that follows Bill, Eric,
Aaron or Sharon. They have a heart to see that people who are investigating the claims of
Mormonism to get the whole picture , not just what the Mormon Church PR dept or the
Mormon Missionaries say etc. They take serious Jesus’ warning in Matt 7:15; 24:11 about
false prophets. I choose to participate here because I agree with their efforts , and also
because they exhibit a respectful attitude towards the Mormon people, which is required
of me by the Lord —1Pt 3:15. I am only a guest here as are you . Perhaps you are feeling
the conviction of the Holy Ghost because you keep hanging around here ? You need to know
that I have arrived here after years of interaction with Mormons, Mormon Missionaries,
Mormon publications, wrote letters to Mormon apostles etc . I have said before that I
have found the Mormon people to be very decent people who are striving to serve God . But
good decent people can be misled by false prophets/apostles. I feel that the Mormon people
don’t fully understand that a false prophet can be a very moral , civic oriented, well dressed
individual rather than always a immoral , conniving withdrawn individual . Jesus said to Beware
false prophets, false prophets are teachers , they claim to be appointed by God to teach the
gospel . Jesus said that false prophets will come , He also provided His apostles to record how
we identify these false prophets/apostles. Since Mormon apostles have claimed to be officers
in Jesus’ church appointed personally by Him to preach His gospel , then we must test that
claim. Clyde: do you understand this?
Clyde,
I see Christianity being fully-integrated into what I do, but my vocations have nothing to do with my salvation. I am a father, husband, son, producer, etc. etc. Each of these are a God-given role. I am to serve my neighbor and do good. But it does not save me. I am an adopted son of God – He has called me His own. Just as I call my son my own, and am not waiting until he gets to 18 to see how he does, if he as won my approval. No, he’s my son and I expect certain behavior out of him. But I am not waiting to see if he can earn his way before I accept him into my home. I love my sons when they do right and when they do wrong. They are my children no matter what and nothing can ever change that. Likewise, through Jesus death and resurrection, I am an adopted child of God. God is not waiting to see if I can earn my way into eternity with Him, no – I already have this inheritance as His child. He expects certain behavior out of me, and expects me to fulfill my role as His child in service to my family and neighbors – but my salvation, my adoption, my eternitiy with God is not dependent on anything other that Jesus crucified for my sins and His resurrection and triumph over death and hell.
Falcon, I have spent time reading some Mormon blogs, but not much any more simply
because it gets old hearing rationalizing like : ” we don’t speak for the Church ” etc .
I’ve grown weary of that reasoning . The claims of Mormonism stand on it’s apostles,
they are the one who establish doctrine and they are the ones who proceed to teach what
is considered accurate doctrine to their flock, not some BYU prof. or other apologists.
For Mormons like Clyde it is incumbent on them to take time and ask God for help as
they compare what Mormon apostles have taught as spiritual truth relative to who God
is and what is required to be in God’s will for a right standing with Him and eternal life .
The information available from this ministry reveals that it is vital that every Mormon
do so .
4/5 producer?
My favorite line from Mormons is, “If you want to learn about Mormonism, ask a Mormon.” I find that to be so strange because we hear from all of these ex-Mormons about what they didn’t know about Mormonism when they were members. Then they started doing research and were shocked to learn a whole bunch of information that didn’t square with the official version put out by the Mormon church.
In “Beyond Mormonism: An Elder’s Story” Jim Spencer traces his path from being a convert to Mormonism, his inkling that something wasn’t quite right, and his eventual exit from Mormonism.
One of the things that got Jim going down the road of discovery was learning that there were several different sects of Mormonism. He couldn’t reconcile that with the idea that the Mormon church was the one true church. Jim had filled out a card for one of the Sects, what is now known as the Community of Christ, and a couple of “elders” stopped by to talk with him. This is what Jim writes:
“I spent three hours talking to the two missionaries. They gave me much information comparing the practices and doctrines of the Utah Church with the Reorganized Church. At the end of our time together, I thanked them for sharing with me. and that night I made one important commitment to myself……I would look even deeper into the whole history of Mormonism. …….as I mentally set my sails to investigate the roots of the Mormon Church, I determined to go to the original sources. I was not going to be satisfied with secondhand information.”
So if someone went to a Mormon blog, would they get original source information or the LDS church sanitized version?
I’m back to basics again. Who is God? Who is Jesus? What is salvation?
From a Mormon apostle : ” The Gospel our map …the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and
Savior, has given us our map—- a code of laws and commandments whereby we might attain
perfection and, eventually godhood. This set of laws and ordinances is known as the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and is the only plan which will exalt mankind. The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is the sole repository of this priceless program in its fullness .”
[ Spencer w. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 6].
Mormon authorities claim that the church that Jesus established and the gospel His apostles
spread in their missionary travels was lost soon after the death of His last apostle, it became
unavailable to man until restored in 1830 . Mormonism claims to advertise that very gospel .
When we look at the men who personally knew Joseph Smith and were mentored by him to
serve in leadership during and after his death what do find them preaching as Jesus’ gospel?
Have they actually restored what was lost ? These men claim that the gospel is a code of laws
ordinances and commandments . Let’s briefly see what these men taught as gospel laws:
Brigham Young taught it was against God’s law to marry a black person ; polygamy was said
to be a gospel law ; there was the Law of Adoption[sealing men to men in leadership].
What about gospel ordinances ? The practice of polandry [ under Joseph Smith] was
conducted in the Temple ; Baptism for health ; re-baptism was practiced often for simply
a re-commitment , and for some time it was apparently mandatory for first time temple
attendees ; the Law of Adoption was also also a long practiced ordinance. [ cont]
cont.
These laws and ordinances were all promoted as spiritual truth by apostles who claimed to be
personally appointed by Jesus to restore His gospel . Along with these new spiritual truths came
the claim that the gospel preaching by these modern-day apostles of this ” restored church ”
was the remedy for what infested all the other churches , namely : they taught doctrines that
altered the gospel because of adding their own ideas to it, they were confused over what
was a proper ordinance and how to practice them , they were unstable in what they offered as
spiritual truths, a pattern of inconsistency etc . These were some of the accusations that Mormon
leaders advertised far and wide. Yet a comparison with these accusations with the track record of
gospel teachings by Mormon apostles reveals a very troubling picture as Mormon leaders have
succumbed to similar behavior themselves ! As a result the Mormon people have been
tossed to and fro with inconsistent doctrinal teaching , this is’nt new —-Eph.4:14. No wonder
Jesus and His original apostles gave warning of men who would claim to represent Him and His
gospel but instead they would actually be a counterfeits —-Rev 2:2 ; 2Cor :11:13 ; 2Jn 9 .
The Mormon people deserve to follow the apostles who taught the original , dynamic , saving,
complete gospel of salvation that these apostles taught is available for all in the New Testament.
It kind of makes me wonder how Mormons can claim that after the death of the apostles the Gospel disappeared from the earth. How do we know that? We have no record of Mormonism in the first century church but we have an extensive written record of the Gospel as we know it (in both the Bible and the writings of the Church Fathers). We even have a written record of the various heresies that emerged during the first four hundred years of the Church.
Add to all of this is the idea that Mormons believe that the apostle John never died. So that kind of blows the idea that after the death of the apostles, the Gospel was lost. According to the Mormon belief regarding John, the apostles didn’t all die.
Mormons can’t even cover this with their conspiracy theory that the Mormon gospel was deliberately left out of the Bible by some corrupt monks copying the Bible.
There is no support for the Mormon narrative for a theory of the lost Gospel. There isn’t even any real consistency in the gospel according to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and those who followed them in the office of Mormon prophet.
Those who didn’t follow after Young, in that era, have a totally different view of what the revelation to Smith was. Even Joseph Smith held fast to the Christian doctrine of the nature of God in his first version of the BoM.
For Mormons who are concerned about their salvation, they needn’t go any further than the New Testament, to find the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. He was the perfect sacrifice for sin given his (perfect) nature of being both God and man. Jesus was the visible representation of the invisible God. Faith in Him results in eternal life.
Falcon,
I hate it when mormons say, want to know what Mormons believe, then ask a mormon.
Mormons on this blog cannot agree with each other, so when it comes to the ask a mormon bit, which mormon do I ask? and how do I know if they have their facts correct?
BTY, You thought a mormon posted on his blog saying I was a homosexual, Yes that was true and did happen. Also Ralph can correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall Ralph saying, he wont post on Fair-LDS because of how mean and nasty they are and can be. So much for the loving helpful LDS.
The two MM that were over at my house could not even agree with each other. Then topics have been posted on this blog that cover the issue of who do we get Mormon doctrine from, the leaders or the average LDS member.
I cannot understand why LDS cannot answer these questions, but then claim we dont know what were talking about. Who was complaining about their only being three of us replying? O-yea, it was Clyde.
Well Clyde, how come your not answering our questions, and if your so worried about who posts and how often, how come we dont see you or other LDS posting more, or asking Mormons to come here and post?
How come LDS come here and post, But MM tell me they are not allowed to use computers or post on sites like this, or even read sites like this?
Clyde,
FYI Sharon and Aaron (and I for that matter) constantly read Mormon blogs. Many of Sharon and Aaron’s and my articles quote from them. It seems to me, that you are focusing on the comments, and missing what is being said in the OP. Many Mormons read this blog, but few comment. I think it’s been clear since the start, that the Christians who post here, are of the opinion that Mormonism is “wrong”. Like so many Mormons I have conversations with, I see you focusing on YOU. What you DO. I know I’ve seen it said time after time here, that Christ said it’s not what you DO. (Matthew 7:22). The whole reason for the Law, and regulations was to bring stubborn Israel to Christ. Paul spent his life expounding on this, and how useless works are. It’s your HEART that Christ is concerned with, not your works. Works come from a changed heart. Regulations like the word of wisdom, tithing, etc, are not a part of Christ’s gospel. There is no need for them, as Paul teaches very plainly. No one has the right to FORCE anyone to obey arbitrary regulations. When I think about the gospel, I don’t see billion dollar malls, prosperity teachings, big corporate headquarters, etc. (And many Christians fall into this trap also.) Pure religion is helping the poor and keeping oneself unspotted from the world.
The Apostle Paul wrote : ” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ , for it is the power
of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth ; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
[ Rom 1:16] . Paul describes the gospel of salvation in 1 Cor 15:1-4 , and the verses in Rom.3:23
5:8 ; 6:23; 10:1-4, 9-13 beautifully unfold this liberating news . May those Mormons who are
tired of the heavy yoke , the “code of laws and ordinances ” and the other “requirements ” that
make up the Mormon “restored” gospel , have confidence in considering the good news that Paul
declared is the true gospel of salvation . The true gospel is’nt some elaborate “plan” like the
“restored” gospel of Mormonism. The true gospel was’nt unavailable to mankind for 1700 yrs
until supposedly “restored” in 1830 . This “restored ” gospel that Mormon apostles have
offered is said to be the same gospel of salvation that Jesus’ original apostles taught, however
it is more of a “revised gospel ” , something Paul had in mind to warn everyone of —Gal 1:8 .
A Mormon apostle states concerning their gospel preaching since 1830 : ” We have been
laboring all these years in the Church to bring men to a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
to bring them to repentence and obedience to the requirements of Divine law.” Then he
interprets Rom 1:16 : ” I desire to say that “Mormonism ” as it is called….is still , as always ,
nothing more nor less than the power of God [cont]
cont.
unto salvation ( Rom 1:16) , unto every soul that will receive it honestly and will obey it.”
[ Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith , Conf. report Oct 1968 p 122] . ” Mormonism” is the gospel,
the power of God unto salvation ? Another Mormon Elder adds to this ridiculous claim
when he testifies that : ” I believe that, as I stand before you today and testify that this
thing called Mormonism has continued down through the stream of time for 123 years ,
unchanged, unmodified , and it is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ” [ Elder John
Longdon, Asst. to the Council of the Twelve , Conf. report Oct 1953 , p66 ] .
So we are accept the testimony of Mormon leaders that they have the true gospel of salvation
and have preached it faithfully, consistently and reliably since 1830 and why not since these
men claim that Jesus appointed them to restore His original gospel truth ( recorded in the
New Testament ) and He has been supervising their preaching of it since that time . However ,
Mormon apostles , though with well intentions, have disobeyed Jesus and proceeded to alter
His gospel by adding their own ideas to it . No doubt thinking that their inner witness was the
Holy Ghost speaking to them they only created a diluted gospel hence it is unable to save
those who embrace it . Thus Mormon apostles have short changed their flock . This is not new
behavior—2Pt 2:1 ; Acts 20:30 , these are strong words from Peter and Paul , but the penalty
for submitting to false apostles can be spiritually damaging .