Category: Mormon Theology
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I Just Converted to Christianity From Mormonism. Should I Get Baptized Again?
I just converted to Christianity from Mormonism. Should I get baptized again? By Eric Johnson
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James 2:20, 26: Are Good Works a Requirement for Heaven?
Some use this verse to show how works are a requirement for heaven. However, James was addressing those who claimed to be Christian but minimized the importance of works. Such a view is contrary to the words of both Jesus (Matt 7:16-20) and Paul (Gal 5:16-26). The writer of Hebrews explains that faith, not works,…
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2 Corinthians 12:2: Are there three Kingdoms of Glory?
Mormons use this verse to explain their three kingdoms of heaven, which they call the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. According to this view, everyone who dies will eventually make it to one of these three kingdoms. However, Paul was merely explaining how he ascended (probably in a visionary state) into the presence of the…
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John 14:2: Are there 3 Kingdoms of Glory?
According to Mormonism, there are three kingdoms of heaven called the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. This verse, used with 1 Cor 15:40, is often referenced to support this teaching. However, such an interpretation is incorrect for several reasons. First, Jesus was comparing heaven to a house with many “dwelling places,” an example that Jesus’s…
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How Can a Person Get Into Heaven?
How can a person get into heaven? By Eric Johnson
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How Can I Be Sure that I am Saved?
How Can I Be Sure that I am Saved? By Eric JohnsonIt is common for Christians to sometimes doubt their salvation and think they may no longer be accepted by God. These doubts may occur after they have sinned or struggled with their faith. At one time or another, many faithful Christians have asked, “What…
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Justification by Faith and the Book of James
When the subject of salvation comes up, many Mormons use certain biblical passages to support the LDS idea that good works are necessary for a person to receive salvation. It is clear Mormonism is a religion that stresses good works. Latter-day Saints are generally good people who are known for clean, wholesome living, volunteer service, and…
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Covenants: The (Unkept) Promises
Covenants: The (Unkept) Promises By Eric Johnson An article (with no listed author) was the main attraction in the July 2012 Ensign magazine. Titled “Covenants: Our Most Important Promises,” it describes an ordinance as “a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our salvation. As part of…
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Romans 8:16-17: Are we heirs with God?
Romans 8:16-17 By Eric Johnson Romans 8:16-17 have been used by some Mormons to support the idea that there is such a thing as “preexistence” and “exaltation” as gods. It reads, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and…
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Acts 17:29: Are we the offspring of God?
In Acts 17:16-34, Paul addresses the philosophers and leaders of Greek gods and goddesses at Mars Hill in Athens. Instead of worshipping the “unknown God,” he explains in verse 23, his desire is to share the Lord of heaven and earth. In order to make his point, he uses no support from scriptural passages, only…
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Passing the Torch of Mormonism’s Historical Racisim
[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post has addressed a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today is the final post in the series.] Institutionalized racism in the Mormon Church spanned nearly 150 years. It began with the religion’s founding prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Smith’s prophet-successor…
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Joseph Smith Founder of LDS Racist Scriptures and Teachings: Part 2
[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post will address a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today guest blogger Lynn Wilder presents Part 2 of the series she began last week.] LDS author Stephen Taggart (Negro Policy: Social and Historical Origins, 1970) writes that it was…
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Joseph Smith Founder of LDS Racist Scriptures and Teachings: Part 1
[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post will address a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today guest blogger Lynn Wilder kicks off the series.] In January of 1964, LDS apostle Delbert L. Stapley wrote to LDS Michigan Governor George Romney urging him not to support…
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Quotations on blacks and the priesthood
During the week of January 6, 2014, Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson spoke on Viewpoint on Mormonism about issues related to the ban on black males to the priesthood. Here are some quotes in response to an article on www.lds.org titled “Race and the Priesthood.” Is it really true that the ban was based on nothing more than…
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Teaching Mormon Children:
Jesus is God’s Only Begotten Son — In the FleshThe December (2013) Visiting Teaching Message found in Ensign magazine focuses on Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son. The message begins, “Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is called the Only Begotten Son because He is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father…Modern prophets have testified: [Jesus…
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Early Mormon Prophet Led the Church Astray
The Mormon Church very recently posted a new statement on “Race and the Priesthood” at LDS.org in which the blame for the Church’s historic racism is laid squarely at the feet of Brigham Young. According to the statement, the idea to deny Blacks the priesthood and Mormon temple blessings didn’t come from God. Rather, the…
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The Priesthood Ban: Intended To Be Enforced Until the Resurrection?
On December 6, 2013, the LDS Church published an article (“Race and Priesthood”) that contradicted the facts from earlier church history. Was the banning of blacks holding the priesthood originated by Brigham Young and perpetuated for more than a century? Or was this teaching truly a “doctrine” originated by Joseph Smith as claimed by a number of…
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More on Exalted Mormons Creating and Populating Worlds
Mormonism Research Ministry’s website contains a 2011 article sparked by Mormon denials (including a pointed and clear denial found on lds.org) of the long-standing doctrine in Mormonism that exalted Mormons will one day create and populate their own worlds. The article contains many quotes from Church manuals and Church leaders that prove the doctrine is…
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Acts 22:16: Is baptism a requirement for salvation?
By Bill McKeever and Eric JohnsonActs 22:16 says, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Is Ananias stressing the act of water baptism in order to wash away a person’s sins? Or is he emphasizing calling on the name of the Lord?…