Category: Mormon Theology
-
Understanding James 2:26
In the course of a study on Ephesians, Tabletalk magazine discusses the relationship between a person’s good works and his justification before God. Examining James 2:14-26 (“faith without works is dead”), the magazine offers good insight into James’ teaching. Since Mormons regularly misappropriate this Bible passage as a proof-text to support the LDS doctrine of…
-
From the Mailbag (10/24/2011)
Thank you for taking the time to document exactly what it is Mormons believe verses the Bible. I am married to a Mormon. I am a Christian and stand firm by the tenets of the Faith exactly as you have listed them. What seems clear to me is like talking to someone from a foreign…
-
Mormon Professors Confuse Doctrine and Rumor
If I want to know what Mormonism teaches about human beings becoming Gods and creating worlds, should I ask a Mormon? Last month (October 2011) New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd asked the planet question of two Mormons: Richard Bushman, the Visiting Professor in Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University, and Kent P. Jackson, associate…
-
Is Jesus “The One” in Mormonism?
In an article for Tabletalk magazine author and pastor Kevin DeYoung wrote, “There is one foundational question each of us must face…This question is so important that if you get this one wrong, you are going to get most everything else that really matters wrong. The foundational question is the famous query Jesus posed to…
-
Mormons Yawn at Christian Heaven
Mormons look forward to an eternity–a Heaven–characterized as a sort of divine extension of their lives on earth. Calling mortal marriage “a laboratory for godhood,” the LDS Achieving a Celestial Marriage Student Manual states, “In the relationship of husband and wife and parent and child we begin to approach the divine calling of godhood. Our…
-
Why I’m Not a Mormon
Today’s Top 10 List (from LDS Scripture)
Part 2 of 2Continued… “…if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you…” The Bible calls God’s grace a gift; but Mormonism claims it must be merited: “…it is only after a person has so performed a lifetime of works and faithfulness—only…
-
Why I’m Not a Mormon
Today’s Top 10 List (from LDS Scripture)
Part 1 of 2“…king Mosiah had a gift from God…” (current edition); “…king Benjamin had a gift from God…” (1830 edition). This illustrates just one of many substantial changes made to the original Book of Mormon (the original was said to have been revealed and translated by the power of God, see History of the Church 1:54-55). A…
-
Proverbs 8 and the Mormon Doctrine of Preexistence
Don and Rayola Larson are Latter-day Saints who have served in various leadership roles in the Mormon Church. They have been teachers at two Church-owned and operated schools, and completed two proselyting missions. Of their mission to England, they write, “We began holding classes and taught groups of people…It soon became apparent that some of…
-
Will Exalted Mormons Govern Their Own Spirit Children and Worlds?
Mormon blogger Joanna Brooks complains that the idea that righteous Mormons will one day get their own planets is “folklore.””Sure, it’s a distorting and sensationalistic caricature of Mormon beliefs to say that all of us believe we’re going to get our own planets. You could sit in your local Mormon Church for a month of…
-
Does Lack of Conscious Focus on Exaltation Excuse the Mormon Expectation of Being Worshiped?
When the Mormon concept of eternal progression unto Godhood is exposed (i.e. brought out of relative obscurity to explicit consideration), one common response from Mormons is that it shouldn’t be made such a big deal because common Mormons don’t think about it very often. There are some big problems with this: 1. The issue matters…
-
How Many Mormon Gods for Us?
Last week on her blog, Religion Dispatches, Joanna Brooks wrote, “It’s a little-known fact: according to Mormon tradition, God is not an old man but rather a male-female couple: a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.” Ms. Brooks was referring to a long-standing but little-spoken-of Mormon doctrine that was recently highlighted in a BYU Studies…
-
The Christ of Mormonism vs. the Christ of the Bible
Written by a local ex-Mormon Christian friend of mine: — This is the Christ of Mormonism: 1. He lives as a humanoid god on a star near Kolob along with his father god, bound by the physical world; he does not transcend the material. 2. He is the brother of satan. 3. He had to…
-
Honor Codes and Covenants
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a covenant church. By that I mean that covenants are an important part of LDS faith and culture. Members make covenants with God when being baptized, when getting married, when being ordained to the priesthood, when taking the sacrament, and when receiving their endowments. A covenant…
-
Even Unique Mormon Scripture Teaches That Remission of Sins Is Prerequisite to Baptism
In Acts 17:28, Paul quotes from pagan poetry to make a point that ultimately contradicts pagan theology. He makes a point of connection useful for a larger point of contention. One among other things we can observe from his sermon is that Christians can wisely use non-Christian literature in our endeavor to communicate Christian truth.…
-
Aren’t All Mormons ‘Procrastinating Their Repentance’?
By Bill McKeever Listen Ninth LDS President David O. McKay, once wrote: “The fallacy that Jesus has done all for us, and live as we may, if on our deathbed, we only believe, we shall be saved in his glorious presence, is most pernicious. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, has given us the…
-
Forgiveness: A 28 (or More)-Step Program?
By Eric Johnson Christianity has historically taught that God provides forgiveness to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. Over and over again, the Bible proclaims that it is through the blood of the Lamb that God’s children are able to receive this forgiveness, despite the fact that “all have sinned and…
-
Sacrament Promises That Will Always Be Broken
By Bill McKeever Each week millions of faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partake in what they call the sacrament service. Though similar to the Christian tradition of communion in that members are asked to reflect on the life of Christ and His sacrifice, the sacrament meeting does have some…
-
Persecution and Polygamy: How Many Mormons Actually Died as a Result of 19th Century Persecution?
By Bill McKeever Listen It is rare to hear a Mormon tell of his church’s history without a reference being made to the persecution the Mormons faced in Missouri and Illinois during the 1830s and 1840s. That Mormons were mistreated is a matter of actual history, and I certainly have no intention to downplay any…
-
Worthy or Unworthy
A few months ago, folks here at Mormon Coffee were discussing LDS temple weddings and the difficulties that can arise when the bride and/or groom come from part-member families. Non-Mormons, as well as Mormons who do not possess temple recommends, are not allowed to enter LDS temples; therefore, they are not allowed to attend the temple weddings of their…
-
Obedience/Personal Worthiness Familiar Conference Themes
As we head toward the October General Conference coming up, here’s a quick look at a few teachings from the last General Conference (April 2010) as found in the May 2010 issue of the Ensign magazine. “Qualifying for the Lord’s Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness.…