The Teachings of Mormonism
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The Teachings of Mormonism Many Books Bible (as correctly translated; i.e. not contradict Mormon teaching; either KJV or Smith’s translation); Book of Mormon (3913 changes from 1830 to 1964; since then 2 Nephi 30:6 changed from “white” to “pure”); Doctrines and Covenants (originally called Book of Commandments; The Pearl of Great Price (containing the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith’s translation of Matthew 24, some History of Joseph Smith, and the Articles of Faith) The Book of Mormon is Trinitarian (see 2 Nephi 11:7; 26:12; 31:21; Mosiah 15:2-5; 16:15; Alma 11:26-29, 38-39; 3 Nephi 11:27, 36) and teaches that God does not change (Mormon 9:9-10, 19; Moroni 8:18). The Book of Moses 1:6 (June 1830) contradicts The Book of Abraham 4:1 (1842). D&C 130:22 teaches God “The Father has a body of flesh and bones”. The Book of Abraham was “translated” from an Egyptian copy of “The Book of the Dead.” Many Gods God used to be a man who was created by a god who used to be a man … Good Mormons can become gods and goddesses and create their own worlds. Many Prophecies False prophecies of Joseph Smith: David Whitmer on selling the copyright to the Book of Mormon in Canada The Lord would return within 56 years of 1835 in History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 182. A temple would be built on temple lot in Independence, MO in D&C 84:3-5 (Sept. 1832). The Civil War would spread to all nations in D&C 87:1-3 (Dec. 25, 1832; 15 days after the Boston Daily Advertiser & Patriot printed a story about rebellion in SC). David W. Patten would go on a mission in the spring of 1839 (D&C 114:1; given April 17, 1838), but he died in the summer of 1838 at the battle of Crooked River. Many Wives Fawn Brodie lists 49 wives of Joseph Smith in No Man Knows My History; most of the first 10 were married to other men at the same time. Brigham Young had 27 wives and taught that a man had to be a polygamist to become a god. In the fall of 1890 President Wilford Woodruff issued a Manifesto outlawing polygamy. Men still have several wives sealed to them “for eternity” in temple ceremonies. Many Priesthoods The first and lower priesthood is the Aaronic priesthood containing Deacon, Teacher, Priest, and Bishop (compare Hebrews 7). The second and higher priesthood is the Melchizedek priesthood containing Elder, High Priest, Patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle (compare Hebrews 7). Joseph Smith also taught a Patriarchal priesthood, but it is not currently practiced by the LDS church. Many Temples First temple in Kirland, OH (now belongs to Community of Christ [RLDS]) Second temple in Nauvoo, IL (abandoned in 1846, restored in 2002). Third temple in Salt Lake City (largest; took 40 years to build; finished 1893). In 2008 there were 124 Mormon temples in 38 countries (66 of them in the US in 32 states) with 10 more including 4 new countries under construction. Four ceremonies are practiced in temples: Baptism and Confirmation for the dead, Priesthood Ordination for the dead, Initiation and Endowment Rituals (including washing and anointing with oil, receiving temple garments and signs and tokens), and Sealings and Marriage Ceremonies (“for eternity”). Only LDS members in good standing with a temple recommend from their bishop and stake president are allowed in a temple. Many Baptisms Mormon children are baptized at age 8 Mormons practice proxy baptism for dead ancestors (hence their interest in genealogy). This latter practice is justified using I Cor. 15:29 “baptized hyper the dead”; hyper (literally ‘over’) can mean either “on behalf of” or “on account of.” Other Interesting Teachings Mormons don’t believe in birth control because Jesus will not come again until all of God’s spirit children born to his wives have human bodies to go into. There are three levels of heaven: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom; those who go to hell can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The baptismal font in Salt Lake City sits on the back of twelve bronze oxen as in Solomon’s temple. There is no Book of Mormon archeology. Blacks were barred from the priesthood until the Official Declaration-2 in 1978 was approved as a revelation. .