Category: Mormon Theology
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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…
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God the Father According to Mormonism
The Mormon doctrine of God is not the same as the historic Christian view. It holds that God and man are essentially of the same species, and that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones. He is not uniquely self-existent, transcendent, or eternal. Neither is he truly the creator of all things,…
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Redefining the Virgin Birth: Mormonism on the Natural Conception of Jesus
You might think that the Mormon people celebrate Christmas like a good Christian denomination would. But a doctrinal issue broods over the Mormon people, a historic issue that prevents many Mormons from appreciating the Christian meaning of Christmas. Indeed, it is an issue that prevents many Mormons from having a saving relationship with the real…
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"Adam-God" – Brigham Young’s Theory or Divine Doctrine?
By Bill McKeever On April 9, 1852, Brigham Young, the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), rose to the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle and announced, “It is my intention to preach several discourses this evening, but how many I do not know.” During his speech President Young…
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Eight Mormon Myths
By Bill McKeever Listen Myth #1: The Mormon Church is the fastest growing religion in the world. The sheer number of adherents to Catholicism and Islam make them far and away the fastest growing religions in the world by birthrate alone.
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Utah’s Rich Beer-Making History
The Salt Lake Tribune published a lighthearted article yesterday: “Beehive State Brew”. In it, journalist Kathy Stephenson takes a look at the history of beer in Utah. She writes, [Tourists to Utah] likely have heard plenty of tales of Utah’s teetotaling ways. But few visitors — not to mention some longtime residents — may not…
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Fair Above All Virgins
In the recently released movie titled, The Nativity Story, viewers are given a glimpse at what life was probably like for Mary and Joseph after it was learned that the espoused Mary is pregnant. Though I’ve heard pastors and theologians discuss the social ramifications of such a predicament, I can’t recall any film that does…
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Adam-God: Another Botched Joke?
BYU professor Stephen E. Robinson made a comment on pages 19 and 20 that appeared in his book Are Mormons Christians? Robinson was trying to fend off criticism toward second President Brigham Young regarding his infamous “Adam-God” sermon. In a conference message on April 9, 1852, Young stated that the first man, Adam, was our…
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Personal Worthiness Required
At the LDS Church’s most recent General Conference held in Salt Lake City a little over a week ago, Elaine Dalton took the stand. Directing her remarks to the general membership of the Church, Mrs. Dalton delivered a talk she entitled, “Look toward Eternity!“Near the beginning of her talk, Mrs. Dalton asked, Do you understand…
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Commandment-Keeping and God’s Grace
My October, 2006 edition of Ensign just arrived. I wish more of my Christian friends who think Mormonism is abandoning its heretical past would take closer notice of what the LDS Church is still teaching; for instance, in an article titled “Plain and Precious Truths Restored.” On page 53, Clyde Williams, BYU assistant professor of…
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A Cuppa Mormon Tea
I have always had trouble understanding the Word of Wisdom. As it reads in the 89th section of Doctrine and Covenants, observance of the following things are required by God: It seems clear enough, but apparently it does not actually mean what it says. Mormons who affirm that they obey the Word of Wisdom do…
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Racism Reveals False Disciples
This past weekend marked the 176th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. On Saturday evening President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed the priesthood holders of the Church (men and boys 12 years old and up). Mr. Hinckley stated that racism, even among Church members, still “lifts its ugly head.” Deseret Morning…
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After All We Can Do
Last week I wrote about “Trevor,” a man who took issue with a comment I left at a news web site. My comment set Ephesians 2:8-10 (“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves…”) against a Book of Mormon passage, (2 Nephi 25:23: “…for we know that it is…
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Latter-day Black Pioneers
On 4 February 2006 the Reno Gazette-Journal carried an article about a black couple in the Mormon Church, Moons become pioneers of local Mormon church, by Geralda Miller. The story is about Bill and Jane Moon, African Americans who moved to Reno in 1969 only to find a community filled with racial prejudice. They spent…