Category: Mormon Theology
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Mark 12:25 and Marriage in Heaven
By Eric Johnson “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.” Mark 12:25
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Eternal Increase: The LDS Doctrine of Celestial Procreation
By Bill McKeever Closely associated with the LDS doctrine of temple marriage is the doctrine of eternal increase. LDS leaders have defined this teaching as the ability for Mormon couples who have achieved celestial exaltation to procreate throughout eternity.
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Celestial Marriage and Eternal Exaltation
By Lane Thuet
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Are Families Forever?
By Bill McKeever Mormons often find comfort in the idea that one day they will be able to live together as a family throughout all eternity. However, with all the details LDS leaders have given to this teaching, the logical possibility breaks down.
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Singlehood in Mormonism
By Eric Johnson In the January 2005 Ensign, an official monthly LDS Church magazine, LDS Seventy Clate W. Mask Jr. referred to Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 where Jesus supposedly told Joseph Smith, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the…
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Temple "Worthiness" and the Bible
The following is an excerpt from the book “Questions to Ask Your Mormon Friend” by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson. Tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith stated:
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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),
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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.
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Heaven and Hell
By Bill McKeever & Eric Johnson Christianity has historically taught that there is only one of two possible destinations awaiting mankind after death: heaven or hell. To those who have been justified by faith and received the righteousness of Christ applied to their account, there awaits a glorious eternity in heaven. To the rest who…
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The Law of Sacrifice as Opposed to Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice
Many scriptures remind us that our salvation has been purchased by the final, perfect sacrifice of Christ. However, in the article The Law of Sacrifice (Ensign, Oct 1998, pp. 6-13) LDS Apostle M. Russell Ballard reflects a different point of view – one more in keeping with the view that salvation must be earned. To…
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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…
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As God Is Man May Be?
By Bill McKeever
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…