Author: Bill McKeever
-
Masonic Influence in the Endowment Ceremony
By Bill McKeever Although Doctrine and Covenants 124:41 says that the LDS temple ordinances were “kept hid from before the foundations of the earth,” they are suspiciously close to those used in Freemasonry. Signs, grips, oaths, and tokens used in Mormonism are so similar that one can’t escape the suspicion Smith “borrowed” these Masonic practices,…
-
The Nauvoo Temple Pentagrams
By Bill McKeever
-
Preparing for Your Temple Tour
By Bill McKeever Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) emphasize the importance of temple work. The significance of these buildings in Mormon theology cannot be overstressed. In fact, it is only by participating in the temple ritual that a faithful Mormon hopes to achieve exaltation or godhood.
-
Non-Member Families and Temple Marriage
By Bill McKeever The wedding of a child is probably one of the most anticipated events a parent can expect; yet in Mormonism, only “temple worthy” members are allowed to witness the ceremony. This includes family members of either the bride or groom who are not LDS.
-
Blood Atonement – If It Was Never Taught, Why Do So Many Mormons Believe It?
By Bill McKeever In a 1994 article entitled “Concept of Blood Atonement Survives in Utah Despite Repudiation,” Peggy Fletcher Stack, staff writer for the Salt Lake Tribune, wrote, “In the past decade, potential jurors in every Utah capital homicide were asked whether they believed in the Mormon concept of ‘blood atonement'” (11/5/94, p.D1),
-
Eternal Law and Latter-day Revelation
Mormon teachings on eternal law are flawed, lacking an eternal lawgiver and allowing for changing principles due to latter-day revelation. This raises questions about the consistency and validity of these so-called eternal laws within Mormon doctrine.
-
Celestial Law
By Bill McKeever Historically, Christianity has always taught that mankind is destined to only one of two destinations after he/she dies: heaven or hell. Mormonism, on the other hand, claims that what a person believes and does in this life will result in being placed in either the telestial, terrestrial, or celestial kingdoms. The truly…
-
As God Is Man May Be?
By Bill McKeever
-
Saved by Grace Unto Damnation?
It is no secret that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a unique definition for the word salvation. In the words of Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie, salvation must be understood in light of these two definitions:”Unconditional or general salvation, that which comes by grace alone without obedience to gospel law, consists in the…
-
Is Mormonism Moving Toward a Protestant View of Grace and Works? Seventy Calls Such a Notion a "Misconception."
By Bill McKeever In recent years some Christians have insisted that the Mormon Church has been slowly abandoning its heretical roots and coming closer to embracing a more biblical soteriology. While we would like nothing more than to see this actually happen, we have been reluctant to engage in similar optimism. A speech given by…
-
The LDS Repentance Quiz
According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, repentance plays a major role in every member’s salvation. LDS scripture declares: “Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my…
-
Second Chance Theory and Progression Between Kingdoms
LDS leaders emphasize that life serves as a trial for eternal progression, with no chance for repentance after death. Faithful living now determines one’s eternal glory and advancement among heavenly kingdoms is impossible.
-
Godhood and Theosis
That mere mortal men have the capacity to eventually become Gods is a doctrine that has been defended by LDS leaders since the early years of the Mormon Church. At the root of this concept is the idea that mankind is the literal offspring of God. Speaking in the Tabernacle on August 8, 1852, Brigham…
-
Calvary or Gethsemane? The Atonement According to Mormonism
By Bill McKeever Each spring millions of Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of their Lord. In light of the fact that this is one of the most important events within the Christian tradition, it is important for us to examine and understand the spiritual significance of Christ’s sacrifice in light of the teachings of…
-
Jesus’ Unique Priesthood
By Edward Mellott Each occupant of the First Presidency, from Joseph Smith onward, has been, in addition to other things, the highest occupant of the Melchizedek priesthood. Each has served for some length of time, after which he has died and been succeeded by another. What is significant about this fact is that the pattern…
-
Guess Who?
Members of the LDS Church are familiar with the charge that Mormonism isn’t a Christian faith. They hear it often enough, but they really don’t understand why people think that. "We are Christians," Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley insisted. "We have the name of Jesus Christ right in the name of our Church, The Church…
-
Was Jesus Married?
Dan Brown’s fictional novel (emphasis on fictional) The DaVinci Code insists that Jesus was married and that he had a child named Sarah with his wife Mary Magdalene. Such a theory is hardly unique. Several Mormon leaders insisted that Jesus was married, but like Brown, none of them offered any more than pure conjecture to support such…
-
The Athanasian Creed
Listen We worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity, neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance. For the person of the Father is one; of the Son, another; of the Holy Spirit, another. But the divinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one, the glory…
-
Elohim the Sinner
It was fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow who coined the expression, “As man is God once was, as God is, man may be” (Articles of Faith, pg. 430). If there was ever an area of proof to show that Mormonism and biblical Christianity is incompatible, this phrase would seem to erase all doubt. Mormon leaders…