Preaching the Gospel: Mormonism

RAYMOND S. LANCE, MD ► Why I am passionate about preaching the gospel to LDS people?

► Our goal must be Evangelism preaching Christ to people not winning debates My Story and ► Discuss core beliefs and theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Objectives ► Discuss the the history of Mormonism

► Discuss How can we effectively communicate the Gospel to Mormons? The five Solas: The Gospel 1. Sola Fide (Faith Alone) Message 2. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) 3. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) 4. Solus Christus (Christ Alone) 5. Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone) ► All study of alternative Gospels must be filtered through the Solas

► The fundamental Christian Apologetic is to have an answer for our hope… the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is THE ANSWER to to the human condition. You destroy the evil in someone by showing them extravagant grace

J.D. GREEAR, GOSPEL Biblical basis to teach about false doctrines, cults etc.

► 1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

► Titus 1:9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

► Gal. 1:6-9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9

► Gal 2:4 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— What is your motivation?

Always present the Gospel… Preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:23)

Arguments without compassion are a waste of time

“The truth will set you free…” What is Mormonism?

• The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS)

■ 16,682,476 members strong ■ 37,963 Service missionaries ■ Very Wealthy church with >$120,000,000,000 in reserves • Many people view Mormonism as just another denomination of Christianity. Terms similar but definitions very different • The leadership of the LDS Church tends to encourage this, seeking converts and acceptance. • LDS theology is drastically different than Biblical Christianity, as we will uncover.

Current LDS President: Russell M. Nelson Overview

In this seminar, we will consider: • A history of Mormonism, as told by the Mormons • LDS doctrine tested against Biblical analysis • Mormon evidences examined • Conclusions on Mormonism • Presenting the Christ Alone Gospel to LDS people Mormon scriptures

• The Mormon Scripture includes: ■ The Bible – KJV ■ The Book of Mormon ■ The Doctrines & Covenants ■ The Pearl of Great Price LDS Church Hierarchy

• The first Presidency (president and two counselors) • The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles • The First Quorum of the Seventy • Stake Presidency • Ward Bishopric • Individual Members

The god of Mormonism: Elohim – The Exalted Man

The Mormon view of God is one of the more radical departures from the Truth revealed in God's word. Most Mormons hold the following basic belief's regarding God: • He is not the only God • God has a physical body • He was once a man, but has progressed to Godhood (Lorenzo Snow) • He did not create the universe from nothing, but rather from eternally existent matter

17 Theology of GOD Christianity vs. Mormonism

• One God of the • One God of this world Universe but many gods in the universe • One God makes up • three separate gods the Trinity make up one godhead • God’s power is • God’s power is limited unlimited, beyond by human attributes human understanding • God is without • God has a beginning - beginning or end is an offspring of another god Theology of God Christianity vs. Mormonism

• God created the entire • God didn’t create the universe ex nihilo universe but arranged what was already in it • God is unchanging • God was once a man who worked his way to godhood • Jesus is Savior - His • Jesus is Savior - His perfect life and atonement gains sacrificial death gain physical resurrection eternal life for all who for all His people believe Salvation Christianity vs. Mormonism

• Through faith alone, • Must prove own Christians receive worthiness and earn Christ’s propitiation own perfection • Jesus refinanced our sin • Jesus paid our debt to debt but we still have our sin so that we don’t have entire debt to pay him debt • spirit life begins in the our life, spirit, and body • pre-existence where begin at conception we mature as spirits before coming to earth Concept of Original Sin Christianity vs. Mormonism

• Adam committed original sin • Adam fell so that man and so, the entire creation was could have the joys of cursed physical bodies, • Man is born sinful - man’s procreation, and natural inclination is to sin opportunity to gain eternal life • Man is saved by faith in Christ alone • Man is born without sin - natural inclination to do good • Man is saved by faith and works Concept of “The Church” Christianity vs. Mormonism

• All who believe in • The only true church Christ’s redemptive is the Church of and substitutionary Jesus Christ of works are members Latter-Day Saints of the invisible (True) Church MORMON SALVATION A History of Mormonism

As told by Mormons Joseph Smith, the Founder

• Born 1805 in Sharon, VT • Moved with his parents to Palmyra, NY • Claimed to have received a vision during the NT revival, in 1820: ■ Sees the Father and Son ■ Asks them which church he should join ■ Answer: None! They are all corrupt! • Angel Moroni appears Sept 1823 • Uncovers Golden Plates Hill Sept 1827 Joseph Smith’s Career

• In June 1829 Peter, James and John appear to Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the Melchizedek priesthood. • Book of Mormon is printed, 1830. Smith & followers begin to distribute “the Golden Bible.” • Egyptian Mummies and papyri purchased 1835. “Book of Abraham” • The group moves to Kirtland, OH. Smith becomes head over 12 apostles. 1st is completed 1836. Smith’s Career

• The Mormons are opposed by ‘Gentiles’ in NY, OH, MO. • In 1839, the MO settlement fails, they move to Nauvoo, IL. • Illinois in sympathy gives Nauvoo a broad charter; competition between Whigs & Democrats for votes. • The Nauvoo temple is begun in 1841. Smith’s Career

• Nauvoo is allowed to have its own independent militia. Smith becomes mayor of Nauvoo and commander of the Nauvoo Legion – spiritual, political & military leader. • In 1844, Mormon missionaries campaign for Smith in the US presidential election. • Smith has an opposition newspaper destroyed. His opponents charge him with treason. • The governor of IL calls up the state militia, fearing a civil war. Smith’s Career

• Smith eventually gives himself up, and is imprisoned in the county jail in Carthage, IL. • The governor sends the militia home, but a group of them return, storm the jail, and kill Joseph Smith. • As a result, Smith comes to be seen as a martyr by the Mormons. Mormons after Smith

• After struggle with Brigham Young becomes Smith’s successor. • After 2 more years opposition, Young leads his followers to Utah, where they build their new society in the wilderness. • The Mormons continue to evangelize in the US and Europe, encouraging converts to come to Utah. Mormons after Smith

• By the 1880s, there are 80,000 Mormons, mostly in Utah. • The Mormons renounce polygamy so UT can become a state. • In 20th century, Mormons multiplied to over 5 million worldwide. 2016- 16 million members. • They have over 100 temples, performing eternal marriages and baptisms for the dead. Mormonism and Polygamy

• Joseph Smith Organized LDS church April 6, 1830 • Polygamy was revealed to Smith as Permissible in 1831 • 1841 Smith’s first plural marriage Nauvoo, IL • Joseph Smith died June 27, 1844 and had at time of death had over 30 wives (many were eternity-only sealings). Mormonism and Polygamy • Polygamy was the major force driving mormons from places like Kirtland, OH; Nauvoo, IL, Missouri and lead to pilgrimage to , Utah territory. • August 1852 Polygamy was officially acknowledged by LDS church • 1890- Church President Wilford Woodruff issue manifesto removing the mandate to practice plural marriage. • 1904 President Joseph F. Smith declaration blocked all plural marriage Mormon scriptures

• The Mormon Scripture includes: ■ The Bible – KJV ■ The Book of Mormon ■ The Doctrines & Covenants ■ The Pearl of Great Price The Book of Mormon

• Smith is told he has been chosen to restore the church to its original purity. • He is shown a set of golden plates containing God’s revelation for the Western world. • Smith begins to translate these using the Urim and Thummim. • The translation is published in 1830.

Urim and Thummim was a priestly (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים .The Urim and Thummim (Heb • device for obtaining oracles. On the high priest's ephod (an a pouch inlaid – (חֹשֶׁן) apron-like garment) lay a breastpiece with 12 precious stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel – that held the Urim and Thummim (Ex. 28:15–30; Lev. 8:8). By means of the Urim, the priest inquired of YHWH on behalf of the ruler (Num. 27:21; cf. Yoma 7:5, "only for the king, the high court, or someone serving a need of the community");

Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2008 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.

Urim and Thummim (o̅o̅ʹreem) (tho̅o̅ʹ meem), a device consulted by the chief priest (in an unexplained manner) to determine God’s response to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions asked by the leader of the people (Num. 27:21; 1 Sam. 14:41; 28:6). It was borne in a pouch worn by the priest, over the heart, on the ephod garment (Exod. 28:30). Apparently, the use of the Urim and Thummim is sometimes indicated by the term ephod (1 Sam. 23:9–12; 30:7–8), by reference to the Ark of the Covenant (Judg. 20:27; 1 Sam. 14:18), and by the phrase ‘ask of God’ (1 Sam. 23:2, 4).

Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). In Harper’s Bible dictionary (1st ed., p. 1108). San Francisco: Harper & Row. End Session 1

• Next week will discuss Book of Mormon • Discuss in depth LDS theology against biblical scrutiny • Discuss LDS terminology and evangelism approach