The Mormon President Brigham Young said "Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test" (JD 16:46). This web site will compare LDS Church teachings to the Bible using the Catholic Church teachings to interpret the Bible. This web site has received the Fidelity Green Light Award for its Excellence in Catholic Fidelity from CatholicCulture.org. Pope St. Felix III said "Not to oppose error is to approve it; and not to defend truth is to suppress it."
Preface: After comparing Mormonism with the Bible it is my testimony that:
The Catholic Church has ruled that a Mormon baptism is not valid. The Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has stated that "The words Father, Son and Holy Spirit, have for the Mormons a meaning totally different from the Christian meaning. The differences are so great that one cannot even consider that this doctrine is a heresy which emerged out of a false understanding of the Christian doctrine. The teaching of the Mormons has a completely different matrix. ... Mormons hold that there is no real Trinity, no original sin ..." (EWTN). The Catholic Church teaches:
Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church." "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn." (CCC1271)
"Mormons are not Christians ... Those who deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity deny that Christ is God. Now if one denies that Christ is God, he is denying an essential aspect of Christianity" (ETWN). "Although Mormons certainly consider themselves to be Christians, the Catholic Church does not consider them to be Christians, either sacramentally or theologically. The Church has ruled that Mormon baptism is not valid, which means that Mormons are not Christians by baptism. Since Mormons believe in a plurality of gods and do not believe in Christ's divinity (as it is understood by orthodox Christians), they are not theological Christians either." (ETWN). The Bible reveals Christians are disciples and disciples continue in the words of Christ (Acts 11:26; John 8:31). Mormon's are not Christians since they continue with Joseph Smith's teaching of "three Gods" instead of Jesus' teaching of "one God". Christians continue in the things which they have learned and have been assured of, knowing whom they learned it (2Tim 3:14). Several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible (Institute for Religious Research).
Sandie says, "The world is also full of many Christians who are blindly unaware that Mormonism is not just another Christian denomination. The teachings of the Mormon Church are not in agreement with the Bible." (IRR.org)
Brad says, "Mormons ... vigorously claim to be Christians ... if one considers “Christian” to include following the teachings of God as revealed through Christ and handed on through the Church, then they are definitely not. ... They believe in Christ, but they believe some very different things about Him than most Christians do." (Are Mormons Christian?)
A convert from Mormonism to Catholicism writes, "I could no longer accept the Mormon view of a plurality of gods." He also writes "The more I researched, the more flaws I found with the Mormon doctrines I had been taught. ... The overwhelming historical evidence available supports the Catholic teaching on Apostolic succession. ... Another truth I discovered is that there is only one God ..." (ETWN). Another convert from Mormonism to Catholicism writes "I was born and raised in a Latter-Day Saints family ... As I read and studied ... Mormon teachings were often in direct conflict with the Bible ... it is my testimony that the Catholic Church is Christ's Church on earth. ... It is the Church Christ himself established, and its fundamental doctrines and creeds have not changed in two thousand years. They have remained constant, in harmony with the earliest Fathers of the Church ...." (Catholic Answers).
The Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley said "we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity ... our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet" (LDS General Conference Apr 2002). Mormonism teaches Jesus is "a God" of many Gods (LDS Bible Dictionary God). The Bible reveals Jesus is "God" (John1:1) and that "God was manifest in the flesh" (1Tim.3:16). Jesus is "my God" (John.20:28), "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col.2:9). "We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons. The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire." (CCC253).
Mormonism teaches Jesus was born of heavenly parents (LDS GP Chap 2). Jesus is not the first spirit born of heavenly parents. Christ is called "the firstborn of every creature" (Col 1:15), "firstborn" (Rom 8:29) is a title which refers to Christ’s place as the chief and unique Son of God (CA). The word firstborn does not necessarily mean to be literally born, for example Christ is also called "the firstborn from the dead" (Col 1:18). David was made firstborn, Psalm 89:27 says "I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth". Before the incarnation, Jesus was the Word who was God, He is the only begotten of the Father (John 1:1,18). Jesus "proceeded forth and came from God" (John.8:42). God is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting (1Tim.1:17; Psalm.90:2). Jesus was not born of heavenly parents. In the beginning, Christ is "the Word" (John 1:1). The NAB for John 1:1 says that the term Word (Greek logos) combines God's dynamic, creative word (Genesis), and personified preexistent Wisdom as the instrument of God's creative activity (Proverbs). Irenaeus, a 2nd century bishop, said "The Son, though, always co-existing with the Father ... the eternal Word of God ... coming into being in a manner like that of their own word" (Is Christ inferior to the Father? - CA). Other teachings by Irenaeus and Ignatius, a 1st century bishop who was appointed by the apostle Peter, include
Mormonism teaches Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers who were born of a heavenly parents (LDS GP Chap 3). Jesus and Satan are not spirit brother's who were born of a heavenly parents. The Father did not create Jesus. Jesus "is before all things" (Col 1:17). By Jesus (the Word) "were all things created, that are in heaven" (John 1:1-3; Col 1:3-17; Psalm 33:6-9). The Lord created all spirits like Satan and all the angels with a command, he spoke, and it was done (Psalm 148:2-5; Neh.9:6). Before we were born we were not all spirits born of a heavenly parent who lived with God in Heaven. The first man was not a spirit born of a heavenly mother, when God created the first man he formed the man of the dust of the ground and formed the spirit within him, (Zech.12:1; Gen.2:7). 1Cor 8:6 says " to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." Col 1:16,17 says "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Isa.45 says, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. ... have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded." The Catholic Church teaches "Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing" (CCC391). "... all the angels ... were created through and for him [Col 1:16]" (CCC331). "God from the beginning of time made at once (simul) out of nothing both orders of creatures, the spiritual and the corporeal, that is, the angelic and the earthly, and then (deinde) the human creature" (CCC327).
Mormonism teaches that Jesus is one of "three Gods" in the Godhead (LDS Bible Dictionary Godhead). Three Gods do not form the Godhead as Mormonism teaches, it is "three persons in which subsists the one Godhead" (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). The Bible reveals in Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily", meaning the "fullness of the deity: the divine nature, not just attributes" (NAB Col 2:9) . The Athanasian Creed says "... the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is all One".
Mormonism teaches the Father of Jesus' has a body of flesh and bones (LDS GP Chap 1). Jesus tells us "God is a Spirit" (John.4:24) and that "a spirit hath not flesh and bones" (Luke.24:39), meaning that the Father is a spirit, not that the Father has a spirit (CA). Mormonism teaches "false Christianity ... believed that God was a being without form or substance" (LDS GP Chap 16). The early Christian Bishop Irenaeus said "the Father of all ... is ... without structure ... all spirit" (God has No Body - CA).
Mormonism teaches Jesus is Jehovah and the Father is Elohim and that they are two separate Gods (LDS Bible Dictionary God). Elohim and Jehovah(Yahweh) are not two separate Gods. "The Yahwist prefers the name Yahweh (represented in translation as Lord) by which God revealed himself to Israel; the Elohist prefers the generic name for God, Elohim." (NAB preface). The word "Jehovah" arose from a false reading of this name as it is written in the current Hebrew text. (NAB Exodus 3). Jehovah is God Almighty, the LORD our God (Exod 6:2-6). Jehovah (LORD) is our God and our father, he made us and established us, Jehovah (LORD) is the most High (Deut 32:3-9; CCC446). Jesus is "I AM", the Son of God and God himself (CCC653; John.8:58; John.28,31). "I AM: an expression that late Jewish tradition understood as Yahweh's own self-designation (Isaiah 43:10)" (NAB John 8:28). "Men began to call God by his personal name, Yahweh, rendered as "the LORD"" (NAB Genesis 4). Psalm 110:1 says, The LORD (the Father) said unto my Lord (the Son), Sit thou at my right hand. God our Saviour sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (1Tim 1:1; 1John 4:14). "An angel of the LORD: the visual form under which God appeared and spoke to men is referred to indifferently in some Old Testament texts either as God's angel or as God himself." (NAB Exodus 3). "Genesis 1:26 stated, "And God said, Let us ... the Hebrew word for God here is Elohim, which is a plural form ... three Persons exist ... Catholics are not modalists" (The Mormon God - CA). "The divine persons are really distinct from one another. God is one but not solitary." (CCC254).
The Book of Mormon reveals a different gospel, a perverted gospel, when compared to the Bible. The Book of Mormon reveals “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2Nephi 25:23). The Bible reveals “by grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph.2:8). Those who hear the word of God but do not understand fall away, those who understand the word of God bring forth fruit to perfection (Luke.8:11-15). We are not saved "after all we can do" like the Book of Mormon reveals, we are saved "according to his own purpose and grace" (2Tim 1:9). Salvation is through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2Thes.2:13). We are not saved by faith only, we are saved by grace through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works, not of ourselves (James 2:24; Eph.2:8,9). Justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him, we shall be saved by his life, the atonement (Rom.5:1-10). All will be resurrected to stand in judgment before God (Acts 24:15). Not everyone is saved, "he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark.16:16). Those who have done evil come forth in the resurrection of damnation (John.5.29). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23). The Son of man shall reward every man according to his works, those who love their enemies and do good will have a great reward (Luke.6:35,36; Matt.16:27). The righteous go away into eternal life, they shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt.25:46; Matt.13:43). Whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John.3:15).
Mormons believe "We cannot be saved by grace alone, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (LDS Ensign - Nov 2001, 18). We can persuade Mormons to continue in the grace of God (Acts.13:43). Ask a Mormon if they believe we are saved by grace alone or if they believe we are saved after all we can do like the Book of Mormon reveals (LDS 2Nephi 25:23)? Ask a Mormon, Do you believe we are "... saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" like the Mormon Third Article of Faith states? (LDS A/F 3). We are justified by his grace, not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5,7). The Bible reveals we are under grace, we yield ourselves servants to obey, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus (Rom.6:1-23). If by grace, then is it no more of works (Rom 11:6). We can choose to believe or not believe the gospel (Mark.16:15,16; Luke.8:12,13; John 3:36). Faith alone is dead if it has not works, without charity we are nothing even if we have faith (James 2:17; 1Cor 13:2). Living faith is not faith only it involves charity, we are doers of the word not hearers only (James 2:14-26; James 1:22). Living faith consists of disposing the heart to do the will of the Father, living faith is not only in saying "Lord, Lord," (Matt 7:21,22). We are careful to maintain good works because these things are good and profitable unto men (Titus 3:8). We obey his commandments because we love God, his commandments are to believe and love one another (1John 5:2; 1John 3:23). We can follow Christ by humbling ourselves and becoming obedient unto death (Phil.2:7-9). Those who humble themselves shall be exalted (Luke.18:14).
Sharon says, "I am now truly saved by His Grace. I am happier than I can ever remember being! All that was taken from me through depression and self-deprecation has been returned to me by the Lord. It feels good not to live with guilt and fear constantly. I finally feel right with God and I know He is always there for me." (IRR.org)
Jennifer says "My decision to leave was based in my discovery of God's Grace; something that Mormonism had never offered me." (IRR.org)
Mormons will say "Feelings ... confirm the truth of the Book of Mormon" (LDS Web Site). Jesus did not teach us to use feelings to know if something is truth, Jesus taught that we can know the truth by continuing in his words (John.8:31-32). We can learn if the Book of Mormon is true or false by searching the Bible and allowing the Spirit of Truth to lead us to all truth, God will give wisdom to those who ask him (Acts.17:11; John.16:13; James.1:5). We know from the Bible that some will give "heed to seducing spirits" (1Tim.4:1). Those who accept the Book of Mormon are accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet. When asked to pray about the Book of Mormon simply reply with "Why would I pray about a book that I know has a perverted gospel when compared to the Bible?" The Bible reveals that a false prophet, like Joseph Smith, can come in sheep's clothing and can show a great sign like the Book of Mormon to deceive many (Matt 24:11,24; Matt 7:15). The Book of Mormon mixes truth with lies. To successfully deceive, truth is mixed with lies, in the beginning Satan mixed lies with truth to deceive Eve (Gen.3). Mormon's will testify that "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church" and Catholics will testify that "the Catholic Church is the true Church ... Does my testimony prove that I'm right?... You see we've both prayed and studied, and we've come up with contrary testimonies. One of us must be wrong. ... " (CA).
The Mormon Third Article of Faith states "... saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (LDS A/F 3). Mormons "reject the doctrine of salvation by grace alone" (LDS Ensign, Mar 1988, 7). Mormons believe "We cannot be saved by grace alone, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (LDS Ensign - Nov 2001, 18). The Book of Mormon Student Manual for 2Nephi 25:23 says "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God." "Catholics believe in salvation by grace alone ... we cannot earn God's unmerited favor by our good works, we can reject his love by our sins (that is, by our evil works) and thereby lose the eternal life he freely offers us in Christ" (Catholic Answers). Catholics DO NOT believe "one must do good works to come to God and be saved ... for if it is by grace, it is not now by works; otherwise, as the Apostle [Paul] says, grace is no more grace (Rom. 11:6)." (Reward and Merit - CA).
Mormonism teaches "The Book of Mormon ... is the keystone of our religion.” (LSD GP Chap 10). Mormonism teaches that Book of Mormon is a fulfillment of Revelation 14:6-7 (LDS GP Chap 41). Revelation 14:6-7 is not describing the angel Moroni bringing the gospel to Joseph Smith as Mormonism teaches but is describing angels proclaiming imminent judgment, the everlasting gospel is the good news that God's eternal reign is about to begin (NAB footnotes for Revelation 14:6-7). The Bible warns us that an angel from heaven can preach "another gospel" than what the apostles preached (Gal.1:6-8). Ezekiel 37 is not a prophecy about the Book of Mormon as Mormonism teaches (LDS Ensign, Feb 1987). The symbolic action of joining two sticks into one signifies the future union of Israel and Judah under one messianic King (NAB footnotes for Ezekiel 37). Joseph translated the Book of Mormon by "put the seer stone into a hat and put his face in the hat" (LDS GP Chap 10; LDS Ensign, Sep 1977). The Bible reveals that a false prophet can come in sheep's clothing and can show a great sign like the Book of Mormon to deceive many (Matt 24:11,24; Matt 7:15). Mormons say that John 10:16 refers to Jews who allegedly migrated to South America around 600 B.C.. " Most Catholic biblical scholars, following the teaching of the early Church Fathers, agree that the "other sheep" are the Gentiles, to whom the gospel was sent after the Jews rejected Christ (Rom 11:11-12)." (Catholic Answers)
The Book of Mormon reveals "Infant baptism is an evil abomination" (Book of Mormon Moroni 8). Mormonism teaches "it is mockery before God to baptize little children" (LDS GP Chap 20). Mormonism differs with the practices of the early Christians. The Bible reveals we are to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2Thes.2:15). The Catholic Church teaches "Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church" (1282). Irenaeus, a second century bishop, taught "... through him are reborn in God: infants, and children ... sanctifying infants" (Early Teachings on Infant Baptism - CA). A Catholic may accept limbo, or he may reject it. Some theologians speculate that the infants are given an opportunity not unlike that once granted the angels, before their fall, to accept or reject God. (Out on a Limbo - CA). "With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation" (CCC1283). "God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments" (CCC1257).
The Book of Mormon reveals "Adam fell that men might be" (2 Nephi 2:25). Mormon's believe " ... original sin ... false doctrine ... men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” (A of F 1:2)" (LDS Ensign, Apr 1977). The Bible reveals all men are implicated in Adam's sin, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23; CCC402). The Apostle Paul did not deny the doctrine of Original Sin like Mormons do, Paul affirms: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ... For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom 5:12, 19). The Apostle contrasts the universality of sin and death with the universality of salvation in Christ. "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." (Rom 5:18). The earliest Christians believed in original sin (Original Sin - CA). Catholics believe infants "have not committed personal sin" (CCC403), "original sin is called "sin" only in an analogical sense" it is "a state and not an act" (CCC404). "Original sin is transmitted with human nature" (CCC419).
Mormonism teaches that Adam and Eve's fall "was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (LDS GP Chap 6). The early Christian Bishop Irenaeus said "it was necessary that they first come to maturity before beginning to multiply" (Against Heresies 3:22:24 [A.D. 189] - CA). Adam's fall was not a necessary step in the plan of life. God's plan is for his children to obey him (Eph 6:1,2). It is not necessary to disobey God's commandment to know good and evil, Jesus knew good and evil without disobeying God (2Cor 5:21). Before the fall Eve wanted to be wise (Gen 3:6). Adam and Eve could have asked God for the wisdom to know good and evil (James 1:5). Before their fall, Adam knew God's commandment and he had a choice to obey or disobey it (Gen 3:17). By disobeying God Adam sinned, sin is to him that knows to do good and does it not (James 4:14), the wages of sin is death (Rom 5:16; Rom 6:23). Before the fall Adam and Eve had fullness of joy by being in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:11), they had eternal life since death came after he sinned (Rom 6:23; Rom 5:12), and they were blessed by God to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:21-28). They would have done good by obeying God's commandment (Gen 2:16). Adam's fall was not a great blessing to all of us as Mormonism teaches. Men are not blessed for disobeying God, men are blessed for obeying him, those who obey have the right to the tree of life (Rev 22:14). Because of the fall men have a physical body of "sinful flesh" (Rom 8:13), and all men have sin and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23; Rom 5:12,19), and all men die because death passed upon all men and condemnation (Rom 5:12, 16). It was not Adam's transgression that brought great blessings like Mormonism teaches, it was Jesus' obedience that brought great blessing to all of us, Jesus turned the fault into happiness (Rom 5:19; CCC412).
Mormonism teaches "Cornelius did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized" (LDS GP Chap 21). "Acts 10:45–47 demonstrates unambiguously God giving Cornelius the Holy Spirit (that sanctifying grace necessary for salvation) before Cornelius received baptism." (Catholic Answers). The gift of the Holy Ghost can be received before water baptism (Acts.10:45-48). "Baptism of desire is sufficient for salvation. It is not, though, the gateway to the other sacraments; for that you need water baptism. The need for water baptism after baptism of desire is confirmed by Peter's order to have the Gentiles water baptized even after they have received the gift of the Spirit (Acts 10:47-48)" (Catholic Answers). Those not baptized are not necessarily damned because with God all things are possible (Mark.16:16; Matt.19:25,26). "God judges each person according to the graces he received while on earth ... The merits of Christ's sacrifice can be applied without baptism by water through baptism of desire." (Mormonism's Baptism for the Dead - EWTN.com). Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high (CCC1989). When they heard the gospel "they were pricked in their heart" ... Peter said ... repent and be baptized ... you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:37,38). "Confirmation ... increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us" (CCC1303), is it by the "the laying on of hands" (CCC1288). The Holy Spirit can be given "By the Apostles' imposition of hands [Acts 8:17-19; 13:3; 19:6]" (CCC699).
Joseph Smith taught "three Gods" (Joseph Smith Teachings - Ensign, Mar 2008, 68-73 - Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370). Neither Jesus nor the apostles taught "three Gods" like Joseph Smith taught. Jesus taught "one God" (Mark.12:29,32) and the apostle Paul's taught "to us there is but one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ" (1Cor.8:4-6). Joseph Smith's teaching of "three Gods" is illogical because it is illogical to say that there is one God and three Gods (CA). "No matter how closely together three gods work, they remain three gods, not one." (CA). The Catholic Church teaches "We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons" (CCC253). The Catholic Church never ceases to proclaim her faith in one only God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (CCC152). In 1Cor 8:4-6 the apostle Paul is contrasting his monotheistic confession (v 4) with polytheism (v 5).
- Mark.12 ([32] the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he)
- 1Cor 8 ([4] there is none other God but one [5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) [6] to us there is but one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ)
Mormon scripture reveals "the Gods, organized and formed the heavens ... they (the Gods) said: Let there be light" (Abr 4:1-3). The Bible reveals something different than Mormon scripture, it reveals "God said, Let there be light" (Gen 1:3) and "... there is no God beside me ... I form the light ... stretched out the heavens" (Isa 45:5-12) and "God ... stretcheth forth the heavens alone ... by myself" (Isa 44:2,24). Mormon scripture is contrary to the Bible. The Catholic Church teaches:
Joseph Smith said "I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot subscribe to" (Joseph Smith Discourse, LDS Ensign Jun 1973, 40). Joseph Smith claimed that the Savior told him that the teachings of present churches were "an abomination in his sight" (LDS GP Chap 17). From the beginning the church has expressed her faith using a creed. A creed is a summary of the faith contained in the Old and the New Testaments (CCC186). Creeds are consistent with what scripture reveals and clarify the faith of the apostles. For example, the Athanasian Creed clarifies there are not "three Gods" like Joseph Smith taught. Today's Catholic Church uses a council to clarify her faith just like the early apostolic church. The council of Nicaea involved "much debate" just like the early council of Jerusalem (Acts.15:7). During the council of Nicaea Constantine took no part in the deliberations of the Council; it was entirely an affair of the Church’s bishops (The Church of Nicaea -CA). Below are early Christian creeds:
Mormons "reject the doctrines of the Trinity as taught by most Christian churches today" (LDS Ensign, Mar 1988). Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). The Trinity has been from the beginning of the Church's faith principally by means of Baptism (CCC249). The Trinity is a mystery of faith, a mystery is revealed by God (CCC237). "great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh" (1Tim.3:16) "Development of doctrine defines, sharpens, and interprets the deposit of faith." (CA). "... the primitive Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) ... represents a classic example of what in modern times has been called the "development of doctrine" in the Church (CA). The doctrine of the Trinity is "one God in three persons" (CCC253). The Trinity is consistent with the Bible, the Bible reveals one God (Mark.12:32; 1Cor 8:4,6), the Bible reveals three distinct persons (Matt.28:19), the Bible reveals "I and my Father are one" (John.10:30). Catholic Answers writes:
Mormonism teaches "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith." (LDS GP Chap 17). "Mormons ... say that God has a human form. The Church Fathers declared ... No one has at any time seen God ...God is incorporeal ... none of those persons saw the pure essence of God ... When the divine Scripture presents sayings about God and remarks on corporeal ... speaking of him in a human way .. each one of us is made as consisting of all, having an immaterial soul and a mind, which is the image of God." (God has not Body - CA). "When the Bible speaks of our being made in his image, then, it doesn't mean we're like him physically. It means that, like God, we possess a spiritual aspect to our being." (CA). Joseph Smith could not have seen the Father, God told Moses that he could not see the face of God and live (Exod 33:20). Moses spoke to God as a man speaks unto his friend (face to face) when the cloudy pillar descended (Exod 33:11,20). When the Bible says Moses spoke face to face with God, this does not mean that Moses saw our Heavenly Father's face but is a reference to the manner of speaking not to Moses seeing because we know that God told Moses "for there shall no man see me, and live" (Exod 33:11, 20). Moses did not see God as a person, Moses saw his glory pass by, Moses saw the "back parts" of his glory. Jacob said he saw God face to face, but later we find out it was an angel (Gen 32:24; Hosea 12:2,4). Moses and the Israelites saw the God of Israel and there under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone (Exod 24:10). In a vision of God Ezekiel saw the appearance of a man, the glory of God was seen as a brightness (Ezek 1:1,26-28). Acts 7:55-56 supports the doctrine of the Trinity and the notion that the Son and the Father are distinct persons (v55) and the notion of one God (v59). Acts 7:55-56 is a vision, in a vision the objects are not necessarily the actual items, for example the apostle John saw Jesus as a lamb and a right hand in his vision (Rev.5:1). If God has an actual right hand, then it is not like man’s for God says "my right hand hath spanned the heavens" (Isa 48:13,17). "Numbers 23:19 proclaims, "God is not a man, that he should lie" ... Hosea 11:9 is equally blunt: "I am God, and not man." (The Mormon God - CA)
- Acts.7 ([55] saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God [59] Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus
- Rev.5 ([1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book ... [6] ... in the midst of the throne ... stood a Lamb)
The Mormon Bible Dictionary reveals that there are three Gods in the Godhead (LDS BD Godhead). The Bible reveals in Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily", meaning the "fullness of the deity: the divine nature, not just attributes" (NAB Col 2:9) . The Catholic Church teaches that it is "three persons in which subsists the one Godhead" (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) and that the Godhead of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one (Athanasian Creed) (CCC266). The divine persons are distinct from one another. God is one but not solitary. "Father", "Son", "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another (CCC254). Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man he is equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His Manhood (The Athanasian Creed). The man Christ Jesus could say "my Father is greater than I" (John 14:28) because the man Christ Jesus took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7) and a servant is not greater than his lord (John 13:16). The man Christ Jesus (1Tim2:5) could say "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" (John 20:17) because the Father is God of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, the God of our fathers glorified his Son Jesus (Acts 5:30; Acts 3;13). The Bible reveals:
- 1Cor.8 ([6] to us there is but one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ)
- 1Tim.2 ([5] there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus)
- John.20 ([17] Jesus said I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God)
- Eph.1 ([3] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:)
- 1Cor 8:6 (6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him)
- Luke.22 ([41] he kneeled down, and prayed, [42] Saying, Father, ... not my will, but thine, be done)
- Phil 2 ([6] being in the form of God [7] took upon him the form of a servant)
- John.13 ([16] The servant is not greater than his lord)
Mormonism teaches "Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost ... are unified in purpose." Jesus tells us "I and my Father are one" (John.10:30). "‘I and the Father are one' ... by unity of nature" (CA). "Three coherent Persons, who are yet distinct one from another. ... These three are, one essence, not one person, ... not singularity of number" (CA). The three divine persons act together as one (CCC648). We are called only to become one with him, for he enables us as the members of his Body (CCC521). In committing ourselves to Christ, we can become one spirit with him, and thereby accomplish his will (CCC2825). We are called to be a dwelling for the Most Holy Trinity [Jn 14:23] (CCC260). The Bible reveals:
- John.10 ([30] I and my Father are one. [38] believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him)
- John.14 ([10] the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works [23] If a man love me, he will keep my words: we will come unto him, and make our abode with him)
- John 17 ([21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us)
- 1Cor.6 ([17] he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.)
- Eph 5 ([30] we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones)
- 2Pet.1 ([4] the divine nature)
The Mormon Bible Dictionary reveals that each is "a God" (LDS BD God). The Bible reveals each is "God" (John 1:1; Acts.5:4, Col 1:2). The Catholic Church teaches, each of them is God whole and entire, by nature one God, each of the persons is divine nature (CCC253). "We confess one God, not in number but in nature" (CA). One divinity and power, existing one in three, each person considered in himself is entirely God (CCC256). Jesus is "I AM", the Son of God and God himself (CCC653; John.8:58; John.28,31). Thomas said unto Jesus, My Lord and my God, we are to believe Jesus is the Son of God (John.20:28,31). "God was manifest in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16; John 1:1,14). In Jesus dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 2:9). When John 1:1 says the Word was God it means the Word was divine nature. The risen Christ is the brightness of God's glory (Heb 1:3). The Word can be God and be with God because the Son is "the Word of God" (Rev 19:13). The Bible reveals:
- 1Tim.3 ([16] God was manifest in the flesh.)
- John 1 ([1] the Word was God. [14] And the Word was made flesh [34] this is the Son of God.)
- 2Cor.5 ([19] God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself)
- Col.2 ([9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily)
- John.20 ([28] Thomas said unto Jesus, My Lord and my God [31] Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God)
- Heb.1 ([3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person)
Mormons believe Joseph Smith was a prophet. Joseph Smith is a false prophet. The Bible reveals that we can know a false prophet because they "shall bring in damnable heresies" (2Pet.2:1). A heresy is a teaching that conflicts with what Jesus and his apostles taught. Joseph Smith's teaching of "three Gods" is heretical because it is contrary to Jesus' teaching of "one God" (Mark 12:29,32). The apostle Paul's taught "to us there is but one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ" (1Cor 8:4-6). The Bible reveals that false prophets "shall deceive many" "to draw away disciples after them" (Matt.24:11; Acts.20:29-30). Because many false prophets are gone out into the world we are to not to believe every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God (1John 4:1).
Joseph Smith said "I will prove that the world is wrong, by showing what God is ... God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man ... if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form ... God came to be God." (Joseph Smith's King Follett Sermon, LDS Ensign, Apr 1971, 13-14). Mormonism teaches "our Heavenly Father became God ... He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did" (LDS GP Chap 47). Mormonism teaches "a plan for our progression ... He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father" (LDS GP Chap 47). God is "eternal" (1Tim.1:17), God is from "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm.90:2). Neither the Son nor the Holy Ghost became "a God", the Son was "God" from the beginning (John 1:1). Men can not have the "fullness" of the divine nature like the man Jesus (Col.2:9), men can only have a part of the divine nature since men can only "partake" of the divine nature according to God's divine power (2Pet.1:3,4). Men can become like God in terms of eternal life, holiness, and righteousness (1John.3:2-9; 1John.5:1-13; Heb.12:10; Eph.4:24). The Catholic Church teaches, "The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature": [2 Pt 1:4] "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God." "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God." "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods" (CCC460).
Mormonism teaches "Authority from God Was Restored" through Joseph Smith (LDS GP Chap 17). Peter's authority is continued through succession, the overwhelming historical evidence supports this (see teachings below). Apostolic succession means that the authority of the apostles was passed on to the early bishops of the Church. Apostolic succession involves the bishops serving as successors to the apostles, not serving as apostles (Successors of the Apostles - CA). "Bishops fulfill the pastoral mission entrusted to the apostles and have all the powers which this mission entails" (Vatican). Modern bishops belong to an unbroken lines of ordination going back to the hands of the apostles themselves. The Catholic Church teaches "The sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament of the apostolic ministry, it is for the bishops as the successors of the apostles to hand on the "gift of the Spirit," the "apostolic line." Validly ordained bishops, i.e., those who are in the line of apostolic succession, validly confer the three degrees of the sacrament of Holy Orders." (CCC1576). The writings of the early Christians reveal (see below):
Mormonism teaches "Apostles could not meet to choose and ordain men to replace those who were dead." (LDS GP Chap 16). Scripture reveals before the apostles died they ordained bishops, these bishops could ordain others like they were appointed (Tit.1:4-9). While the apostles were alive Bishops were local leaders (Phil.1:1). Bishops are made overseers by the holy Ghost to protect the flock (Acts.20:17,28), they must first be proved (1Tim.3:10), they receive the gift that is given with the laying on of hands (1Tim 4:14), they are the stewards of God (Tit.1:7), they take care of the church of God (1Tim.3:5), and they hold fast to the faithful word that the apostles taught (Tit.1:9). The writings of the early Christians reveal that the apostles meet to choose and ordain men to replace them (see below).
Mormonism teaches "a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church ... was to continue (LDS GP Chap 16). The office of twelve apostle can not continue after Jesus died because no person can meet the office's requirements of being a eye witness of Jesus’ life and resurrection (Acts.1:8-26). The twelve apostles are the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20). The twelve apostles were witnesses of all things which Jesus did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead (Acts.10:39-41). The twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev 21:12,14) were chosen and ordained by Jesus, they were witnesses that were with Jesus from the beginning (John.15:16-27). They were eye witnesses (2Pet 1:15; Acts 2:32). In the church there are some who have the vocation of apostle to edify the church (Eph 4:1-12). Jesus was called an apostle (Heb 3:1). In addition to the twelve apostles there were those who were called apostle like Barnabas and Paul who were sent out to teach and preach the word of the Lord (Acts 14:14; Acts 15:22-35). There are also false apostles who are deceitful workers, who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ (2Cor 11:13; Rev 2:1-2). The writings of the early Christians reveal (see below):
Mormonism teaches "The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy" and "More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the destruction of the Church was complete." (LDS GP Chap 16). The Bible does not a reveal an apostasy of complete destruction like Mormonism teaches. "Mormons misconstrue the biblical passages which do refer to a "great apostasy" from the Christian Church. They read into the text a complete apostasy. ... Most of these verses say "many" will fall away, and not one mentions a complete apostasy of the Church." (Catholic Answers). The apostles knew of the apostasy before the second coming of Christ and they taught other faithful men to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2Thes.2:15; 2Tim.2:2). Mormonism is an example of the apostasy described in the Bible, the Bible reveals "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1Tim.4:1). The Catholic Church teaches "Before Christ's second coming ... religious deception ... apostasy from the truth ... [2 Th 2:4-12]" (CCC675).
Mormonism teaches "Because of apostasy, there was no direct revelation from God. … For many years people lived in spiritual darkness. . . . there was no revelation ..." (LDS GP Chap 17). The Bible reveals "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude.1:3). "The Catholic Church teaches that public revelation was completed, and therefore was concluded, with the death of the last apostle, but private revelation has continued. ... ‘private’ revelations ... do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith." (Private Revelation - CA). Catholics believe "The Father's self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church" (CCC79). For Israel there was a famine for hearing the words of the Lord, they transgressed the laws, they changed the ordinance, they broke the everlasting covenant; and they killed their prophets (Amos.8:2-12; Isa.24:5). God gave Israel a spirit of slumber, and eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear (Rom.11). The restoration of Israel described in the Old Testament began with the prophet John the Baptist (Isa.24:5; Rom.11).
Mormonism teaches "Today the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."(LDS GP Chap 16). The Savior did not promise to restore his Church before His second coming. The Bible does not reveal a restoration before the second coming of Jesus, a restoration of "all things" occurs after the second coming (Acts 3:21; Rev.21:5). The Catholic Church teaches "After the universal judgment ... will come the time of the renewal of all things ... Acts 3:21" (CCC1042). Steve says, "Without a great and total apostasy there is no need for a restoration." "I found that the Mormon teaching of a great and total apostasy in the early Church established by Jesus Christ was simply not true. The overwhelming historical evidence available supports the Catholic teaching on Apostolic succession." (ETWN).
Mormonism claims that the LDS church "performs the same ordinances as were performed in the days of Jesus" (LDS GP Chap 17). Mormonism does not teach the same ordinances as were performed in the days of Jesus. Mormonism teaches "Temple ordinances have been performed for the dead since the early days of the Church" (LDS GP Chap 40). In 1Corinthians 15:29 it is certain that Paul wasn't referring to orthodox Christians baptizing the dead (Mormonism's Baptism for the Dead - EWTN.com). "... baptism--the only kind mentioned in the Bible--is for the living, not for the dead ... Once we've died, there is no chance to be baptized." (CA). The footnotes in the NAB for 1Cor 15:29 says "Baptized for the dead: this practice is not further explained here, nor is it necessarily mentioned with approval, but Paul cites it as something in their experience that attests in one more way to belief in the resurrection."
Mormonism claims that the LDS church "teaches the same principles" as in the days of Jesus (LDS GP Chap 17). Mormonism does not teach the same principles as in the days of Jesus. Mormonism teaches "the sacrament ... We do this in remembrance of his flesh and his blood ..." (LDS GP Chapter 23). Jesus and his apostles taught "take, eat this is my body” (1Cor 11:24; John 6:54-60). The Bible reveals “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1Cor 10:16,17). Ignatius, a bishop of Antioch who was appointed by the apostle Peter, wrote "the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ." (Epistle to Smyrnaeans,7,1 - CIN.org). St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie'" (CCC1381).
Mormonism teaches: "The Lord commands us not to use wine and strong drinks, meaning drinks containing alcohol ... tobacco ... coffee and tea ..." (LDS GP Chap 29). "Jesus, you will recall, was called a winebibber (Matt. 11:19), the charge being not that he drank, but that he drank too much. Jesus Wasn't a Teetotaler ... Wine was used also at weddings, of course, and our Lord apparently approved of the practice; after all, when the wine was depleted at Cana, he made more out of water ... the Bible condemns excessive drinking (1 Cor. 5:11; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Pet. 4:3)" (EWTN).
Mormonism teaches "Baptism by immersion by a person having the proper authority is the only acceptable way of being baptized" (LDS GP Chap 20). Immersion and pouring are both modes of baptism, " ...the early Church permitted pouring instead of immersion is demonstrated by the Didache," the Didache is an early Christian manual written around A.D. 70 (Baptism: Immersion Only? - CA). Priesthood authority is not necessary for a valid baptism, the Catholic Church teaches "In case of necessity, any person, even someone not baptized, can baptize, if he has the required intention" (CCC1256). "By the Apostles' imposition of hands that the Holy Spirit is given [Acts 8:17-19; 13:3; 19:6]" (CCC699).
Joseph Smith taught "the word create came from the word baurau, which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship." (The King Follett Sermon,” LDS Ensign, Apr 1971). The Catholic Church teaches "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth": [Gen 1:1] three things are affirmed in these first words of Scripture: the eternal God gave a beginning to all that exists outside of himself; he alone is Creator (the verb "create" - Hebrew bara - always has God for its subject). The totality of what exists (expressed by the formula "the heavens and the earth") depends on the One who gives it being (CCC290). Holy Scripture reveals Ex Nihilo (Creation out of Nothing), Gen.1:1 reveals "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" and 2Mac.7:28 reveals "God made them of things that were not". The Early Christians taught creation out of nothing:
Mormonism teaches "false Christianity ... believed that God was a being without form or substance" (LDS GP Chap 16). We can know if the LDS Church is true or false Christianity by comparing its teachings with the written and oral traditions of the apostles (Acts.17:1; 2Thes.2:15). The Bible reveals we are to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2Thes.2:15). The early Christian Bishop Irenaeus said "the Father of all ... is ... without structure ... all spirit" (God has No Body - CA). The early church recognized the biblical teaching that those in heaven can and do intercede for us (CA). "Jesus is the only mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5), but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us (1 Tim. 2:1–4). The subordinate mediator never stands alone, but is always dependent on Jesus (CA). In particular, we should ask the intercession of those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for "[t]he prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects" (Jas. 5:16)." (The Intercession of the Saints - CA). "The Gospel reveals to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith. At Cana, [Jn 2:1-12] the mother of Jesus asks her son for the needs of a wedding feast" (CCC2618). "The rosary is a devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary. It consists of a set number of specific prayers. ... It isn’t just a recitation of prayers, but a meditation on the grace of God. ... the Bible itself prescribes some prayers that involve repetition. Look at Psalm 136 ... " (The Rosary - CA). "Catholics use statues, paintings, and other artistic devices to recall the person or thing depicted." (Do Catholics Worship Status? - CA). " ... study the lives of the saints and imitate their virtues ...Paul said "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1)" (CA). "... canonization is a later development in Church history; originally, saints were recognized by the acclamation of the communities in which they lived and by their bishops." (CA). The doctrine of purgatory, or the final purification, has been part of the true faith since before the time of Christ. (The Historical Doctrine of Purgatory - CA). It is biblical for paying clergy, Paul says "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" (1Cor 9:11; CA).
Mormons are taught they have "been commanded to marry and have children" (LDS GP Chap 36) and "the goal of every Latter-day Saint" is an "eternal marriage" in a Mormon temple (LDS GP Chap 38). The Mormon commandment of marriage is contrary to what the Bible reveals. Jesus tells us that being unmarried is not for all but only for those to whom that is granted by God (Matt 19:11). The apostle Paul viewed marriage and being unmarried as a particular spiritual gift from God (1Cor 7:7). Paul lead a celibate way of life (1Cor 7:1-7). The Apostle Paul associated being unmarried with a calling (1Cor 7:6-40). Some are called to be man and wife like Adam and Eve so they can multiply (Gen.1:21-281; Gen.2:18-25).
Mormonism teaches "An eternal marriage must be performed by one who holds the sealing power" (LDS GP Chap 38). Scripture and the Catholic Church reveals "marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away [Mk 12:25; 1 Cor 7:31]" (CCC1619) and that "The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself [Mk 10:9]. ... The covenant between the spouses is integrated into God's covenant with man" (CCC1639). Sacraments are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant" (CCC1116). The Bible does not teach the Mormon version of eternal marriage, the Bible reveals the union is between Christ, the Bridegroom, and His body of believers, who are the bride (2 Cor 11:2).
Mormonism teaches those "who become gods, must also have been married for eternity in the temple" (LDS GP Chap 46). The apostle Paul said "there be that are called gods", here he is contrasting polytheism (v5) with monotheism (v4) (1Cor 8:4-6). Our God is God of gods (Deut.10:17). The Bible reveals that those whom the word of God comes to can be "called gods" (John.10:35). Adam and Eve were called "gods" and became "as one of us" even after they disobeyed God (Gen.3:5,22). Satan is called " the god of this world" (2Cor. 4: 4). Other scriptures reveal gods, such as Psalm 82 and Psalm 89. " Hebrew 'elohim, the ordinary word for "God" or "the gods" or members of the heavenly court." (NAB Psalm 8).
Mormonism teaches "our exaltation depends on marriage" (LDS GP Chap 38) and that "exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives" (LDS GP Chapter 47). The Bible reveals that those who humble themselves shall be exalted (Luke.18:14). God exalted Christ because he "humbled himself, and became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:8-9). Whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John.3:15). The righteous go away into eternal life, they shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt.25:46; Matt.13:43). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23). The Son of man shall reward every man according to his works, those who love their enemies and do good will have a great reward (Luke.6:35,36; Matt.16:27).
Mormonism teaches if you are "not valiant" you "will live separately and singly forever" in a "terrestrial kingdom" and that you won't "live with Heavenly Father" and that you won't be "visited ... by our Heavenly Father" (LDS GP Chap 46). The Bible reveals all the righteous will dwell with the Father and will inherit the kingdom of God and all things, they will have the glory of God (Rev.21:2-11). The Catholic Church teaches "All those he has redeemed and made "holy and blameless before him in love" [Eph 1:4], will be gathered together as the one People of God, the "Bride of the Lamb" [Rev 21:9], "the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God" [Rev 21:10-11]" (CCC865) and "all the just ... gathered together in the universal Church in the Father's presence" (CCC769). The just will reign with Christ for ever (CCC1060). Jesus assures us in John 14:2 that "In my Father's house are many mansions". Augustine says the "rooms" or "mansions" refer to different degrees of rewards in heaven (Tract. 67) (Does Being Catholic Make a Difference? - CA). Irenaeus, a 2nd century bishop, taught "[God will] send ... the angels who transgressed ... the impious, unjust, lawless, and blasphemous among men into everlasting fire" (The Hell There Is! - CA). "... between the sinfulness of this life and the glories of heaven, we must be made pure. Between death and glory there is a purification." (The Roots of Purgatory - CA).
Mormons are taught that before they can be married in a Mormon temple they must be worthy, they are asked questions like: Do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel? Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator? Are you a full-tithe payer? Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? (LDS GP Chap 38). "... tithing was an Old Testament obligation that was incumbent on the Jews under the Law of Moses. Christians are dispensed from the obligation of tithing ten percent of their incomes, but not from the obligation to help the Church ... God doesn't demand a fixed amount of money from us; he wants us to give from the heart." (Catholic Answers).
Mormon scripture reveals "plurality of wives" (D&C 132). The Bible reveals two "becoming one flesh" [Gen 2:24; Mt 10:8; Eph 5:31] (CCC1627). The Apostle Paul says "let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1Cor.7.2). Polygamy directly negates the plan of God which was revealed from the beginning, because it is contrary to the equal personal dignity of men and women who in matrimony give themselves with a love that is total and therefore unique and exclusive (CCC2387). Polygamy is contrary to conjugal love which is undivided and exclusive (CCC1645) and is a grave offense against the dignity of marriage (CCC2400). In the Old Testament the polygamy of patriarchs and kings is not yet explicitly rejected (CCC1610). In the New Testament "Marriage ... its renewal "in the Lord" in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church [1 Cor 7:39; Eph 5:31-32] (CCC1602).
Mormonism teaches "We should do those things the prophets tell us to do." (LDS GP Chap 9). The Mormon President Hinckley said "we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity ... our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet" (LDS General Conference Apr 2002). The Mormon prophet Joseph Smith claimed that the Savior told him that the teachings of present churches were "an abomination in his sight" (LDS GP Chap 17). The Bible reveals Christians are disciples and disciples continue in the words of Christ (Acts 11:26; John 8:31). Ask a Mormon if they continue in Joseph Smith's teaching of "three Gods" or in Christ's teaching of "one God"? The Christian faith "was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude.1:3). As Christians we are to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2Thes.2:15). We are to "continue in the things which we have learned and have been assured of, knowing whom we learned it" (2Tim 3:14). The apostolic faith was committed to faithful men who taught others (2Tim.2:2). Those who hear the word of God but do not understand fall away, those who understand the word of God bring forth fruit to perfection (Luke.8:11-15).
Mormonism teaches "We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (LDS GP Chap 9). A prophet is not head of the church, prophets are secondary in the church (1Cor.12:28). There are many prophets in the church, prophets judged other prophets (Eph.4:1,11; 1Cor.14:26-37). Prophets like Judas and Silas exhorted the brethren after a council settled a dispute (Acts.15; 2Pet.1:19-21; John.14:16-26; Acts 13:1). The Bible warns us not to believe prophets but to test them, we can test them by comparing their words to the inspired word of God (1John.4:1; Acts.17:2,11; 2Tim.3:16). A prophet like Barnabas was sent away and preached (Acts 13:1-5). Mormonism teaches "a prophet will never be allowed to lead the Church astray" (LDS GP Chap 9). Mormons have "gone astray" by following the false prophet Joseph Smith, they are entangled after they have "escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2Pet.2:15-20). Mormon Prophets have distorted some of things that are hard to understand to their own destruction (2Pet.3:16).
Catholics do not believe that today there are prophets like the Old Testament prophets, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets (65; 719; 243). In the New Testament and today the Holy Spirit is with and in the disciples, to teach them and guide them into all the truth (243). Catholics believe that the Father's self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church (79). Catholics believe in private revelation but not in public revelation, private revelation helps us live more fully but it is not part of public revelation which is the faith that once delivered to the saints (67). Catholics cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case of Mormonism which base themselves on such "revelations" (67). Catholics believe in all "that which is contained in the word of God, written or handed down, and which the Church proposes for belief as divinely revealed" (182). Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles (892). "Christians have always understood that at the close of the apostolic age—with the death of the last surviving apostle, John, perhaps around A.D. 100—public revelation ceased ... However, this closure to public revelation doesn’t mean there isn’t progress in the understanding of what has been entrusted to the Church." (Can Dogma Develop? - CA). " ... prophetical gifts remain with us [Christians], even to the present time." (CA). The writings of the early Christians reveal (see below):
Mormons believe they are members of the Only True Church (LDS Ensign, Feb 1995, 62–63). The Book of Mormon Student Manual says "The church of the devil is ... every church except the true church" (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1 Nephi 14:10). We can know if the LDS Church is true or false Christianity by comparing its teachings with the written and oral traditions of the apostles (Acts.17:1; 2Thes.2:15). The church of the living God is the pillar and bulwark of the truth which faithfully guards the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (1Tim.3:15; Jude.1:3). The Lord has "set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, . . . and it shall stand for ever" (Dan.2:44). "[Dan 7:14] ... the apostles became witnesses of the "kingdom [that] will have no end" (CCC664). The apostolic Church continues in the things which they have learned and have been assured of, knowing whom they learned it (2Tim.3:14). "The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine which was the true Church and which doctrines the true teachings of Christ. The test was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants. Apostolic succession is the line of bishops stretching back to the apostles. All over the world, all Catholic bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles" (Catholic Answers). Irenaeus, a 2nd century Bishop, wrote "True knowledge is that which consists in the doctrine of the apostles" (Salvation outside the Church -CA). The apostle Paul tells us to avoid those who cause division and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have learned (Rom 16:17).
Mormonism teaches "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly" (LDS GP Chap 10). Mormons are without a shepherd, Jesus was moved with compassion and he began to teach those without a shepherd (Mark.6:34). As you evangelize Mormons reason from the Bible because scripture "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction" (Acts 17:2; 2Tim 3:16). A convert from Mormonism to Catholicism, said "Most people don't know the Bible very well, which makes it really easy for (Mormon) missionaries to be successful ... Learn the Bible well" (From Mormon to Catholic). The Second Vatican Council has said that "Inter-religious dialogue ... requires an attitude of understanding and a relationship of mutual knowledge and reciprocal enrichment, in obedience to the truth and with respect for freedom". Avoid being contentious. The Italian Catholic theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that truth is known through reason (natural revelation) and faith (supernatural revelation), he demonstrated gentleness in condemning what was false and fairness in pointing out the direction to true knowledge. We are to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2Pet.3:18).
This is a personal web site and all rights are reserved (Copyright 2009-2010 by http://comparing-views.com ). Please note that most of the bible verses on this site will be from the King James Version Bible since this is the principal Bible of the Mormon Church. If you have any questions on Mormonism or Catholicism please feel free to contact me, Johnny, at c.view@comcast.net .
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