Apologiaway: Can You Become One of the Billions of Mormon Gods?

Genesis 3:4-5 (NKJV)
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Question: “What is Mormonism? What do Mormons believe?”

Answer: The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word, and all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).

Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one: 1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear. 2) The Book of Mormon, which was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth and that a person can get closer to God by following its precepts “than by any other book.” 3) The Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.” 4) The Pearl of the Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth’s creation.

Mormons believe the following about God: He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Christians know this about God: there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4;Isaiah 43:10;44:6-8), He always has existed and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27;Psalm 90:2;1 Timothy 1:17), and He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1;Psalm 24:1;Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8;Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19;1 Samuel 15:29;Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).

Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this life. In contrast, the Bible tells us that after death, we go to heaven or hell based on whether or not we had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To be absent from our bodies means, as believers, we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unbelievers are sent to hell or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). When Jesus comes the second time, we will receive new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). There will be a new heaven and new earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).

Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. Mormons believe Jesus is a god, but that any human can also become a god. Mormonism teaches that salvation can be earned by a combination of faith and good works. Contrary to this, Christians historically have taught that no one can achieve the status of God—only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God’s sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), is the only one ever to have lived a sinless, blameless life, and now has the highest place of honor in heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8;8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus tells us it is impossible to get to heaven by our own works and that only by faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God’s infinite love and grace have allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Clearly, there is only one way to receive salvation and that is to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17;3:28). We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people, they are deceived by a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.Question: “Are Mormons Christians? Are Mormons saved?”Answer: Although Mormons profess to be Christians and say they believe the Word of God, there are many of their beliefs that contradict Christianity. In fact, Mormonism can be referred to as a cult, which can be defined as “a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth.” Mormons say they are Christians, but because they reject foundational truths from the God’s Word, they are not.

Joseph Smith, who referred to himself as “The Prophet,” founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the mid-1800s. He claimed to have seen a vision of God the Father and God the Son, in which they denounced modern Christianity and appointed Smith to reveal and restore “true” Christianity. Three years later, Smith alleged that the angel Moroni told him about some golden plates on which the Book of Mormon s questionable background and proclivity toward bending the truth (seeThe Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism[New York, 1861], andMormonism Unveiledwas born. Today, the members of the Mormon Church number in the millions.

The Book of Mormon to the truth of the Bible. Aside from the many theological conflicts with the Bible and historical and archeological fact, the writing of the Book of Mormon was shrouded in mystery and false claims. For example, Joseph Smith and his associates asserted that one Professor Charles Anthony of Columbia University verified the Egyptian characters on the golden plates. However, this same professor wrote a rebuttal letter soon after, saying that he never did any such thing and had, in fact, found the characters to be a hoax. In addition, many verses in the Mormon scriptures have been changed over the years, as the church leaders attempt to cover up something embarrassing in their past and to defend themselves against criticism. These facts alone are enough to cast much doubt on the veracity of the Book of Mormon.

One of the many areas in which Mormons fall short of saving faith is their belief that God is merely an exalted man who earned his position by good works. This directly contradicts the Bible, which states that God has existed in His position as God of the universe from eternity past (Revelation 1:8;1 Timothy 1:17;6:15–16;Psalm 102:24–27). God was never a man (Numbers 23:19;1 Samuel 15:29;Hosea 11:9) and is the holy and powerful Creator of all things (Genesis 1;Psalm 24:1;Isaiah 37:16). Mormons also believe that they themselves can attain the status of gods in the afterlife through their works here on earth. However, no man can ever become like God (1 Samuel 2:2;Isaiah 43:10–11;44:6;45:21–22), despite what the serpent told Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:5).

Mormons also believe that Jesus was a s only begotten Son who became flesh (John 1:1,14;John 3:16). Only Jesus’ oneness with God would have allowed Him to live a sinless, blameless life (Hebrews 7:26). And only Jesus Christ was able to pay the price for our sins by His death on the cross (Romans 4:25;Acts 4:12).

Those who follow the Mormon faith also believe that they can attain heaven through works. While they claim faith in Christ, they also rely on following the commandments of the Mormon Church and practicinggood worksin order to achieve salvation. The Bible is very clear on this point, stating that good works can never earn the way to heaven (Romans 11:6;Ephesians 2:8–9;Titus 3:5) and that faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation (John 10:9;11:25;14:6;Acts 4:12). Salvation by grace is incompatible with salvation by human works (Romans 11:6).

Sadly, many in the Mormon Church are unaware of the religion’s shady past, amended scriptures, and even the full doctrine of their church. Many Mormons who have discovered these things have left the church and come to a true saving faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we must treat Mormons with love and understand that they are among those deceived by Satan himself (1 Peter 5:8). Satan’s goal is to distort the truth, produce false assurance of salvation, and extend a deceptive hope of godhood (2 Corinthians 4:4).

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Mormonism Fails the Belief System Test

By Robin Schumacher
Many decades ago, Christian theologian and philosopher Dr. John Edward Carnell proposed a systematic method for testing any belief system to determine its validity. Although some criticize his approach, it still remains a good rule of thumb for evaluating worldview claims.

Carnell said for any belief system to be considered defensible, it had to pass the following hurdles[1]:

1. Logical consistency
2. Empirical adequacy
3. Existential or experiential relevancy

Logical consistency asks the question: do the belief system’s teachings logically cohere with one another or do they conflict in logical or rational ways? For example, Buddhism says that to reach Nirvana, a person must rid themselves of desire (which Buddhism views as the crux of humankind’s problem). But wait – doesn’t someone have to have a desire to rid oneself of desire?

Empirical adequacy concerns itself with the question of the worldview being able to defend itself with an explanation of all the relevant facts concerning its claims. It must provide good philosophical, empirical, and/or historical evidence, and be able to weather any knockdown arguments or opposing evidence that contradicts its core doctrines. For instance, were Jesus of Nazareth’s body ever produced, Christianity would be completely undone.

Lastly, existential/experiential relevancy asks the question of whether the worldview is existentially relevant and has answers for the core questions of life: origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. It can also sometimes include whether the teachings are backed experientially in life.

With Mitt Romney now having fully clinched the Republican presidential nomination, much attention continues to be focused on his Mormon faith, whether Mormons are truly Christians, and whether Mormonism is a well-founded belief system. Using Carnell’s method – and specifically the test of empirical adequacy – I’d like to point out one issue in Mormonism that I consider quite problematic.

The Book of Mormon, its Origins, and Plagiarism

The Book of Mormon is allegedly a historical record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D.[2] Mormons claim that around 322 A.D., a prophet named Mormon compiled a history from the ancient records written by prophets into one set of golden plates.[3] They believe that God guided Joseph Smith to these golden plates in 1827.

Supposedly translated letter-by-letter by Joseph Smith through the use of a ‘seer stone’ from those gold plates and recited out loud to Smith’s assistant Oliver Cowdery (who would repeat the letter to ensure accuracy), the Book of Mormon is traditionally viewed by Mormons as equal to or superior to the Bible.

But there’s a problem with the story.

There are numerous direct quotations (both Old and New Testament) in the Book of Mormon from the 1611 King James Bible. Mormons admit to this[4] and there are a number of web sites that showcase a side-by-side comparison for those who want to see it for themselves.[5]

If you do a little research, you will find quite a few blogs and lengthy research articles written by Mormons attempting to explain the situation. However, none in my opinion are able to truly justify how a book supposedly written in 322 A.D. contains whole passages from books like Isaiah that come from the King James Bible, which was written centuries later.

Moreover, the King James Bible belongs to a class of Bible translations known as ‘literal/formal equivalence’ (other examples include the NASB), which is a word-for-word or sentence-by-sentence translation from the original languages. To assist in readability, the translators inserted words into the inspired text, which are identified by being cast in italics.

What do you think you find in the Book of Mormon with the Isaiah passages and others? The italicized words.

Now, when we do a philosophical appeal to the best explanation in an effort to try and explain why this is the case, we are really left with just two options:

Option 1: God valued the King James Bible translators work so much that He supernaturally altered the Mormon golden plates after they were written to include the italicized words inserted into the 1611 KJV, or he guided the hands of the KJV translators so that they would include the same words that were on the Mormon tablets.

Option 2: Joseph Smith plagiarized the 1611 King James Bible.

As gently as I can put this, I believe that the intellectually honest person must admit that the second option seems the most plausible.

Seeing this and examining other evidence that runs contrary to Mormon doctrine (e.g. no archaeological evidence has ever been found in America to substantiate Mormon teachings of ancient civilizations being present) the Mormon claims appear to fail John Edward Carnell’s second test of empirical adequacy, and in doing so, I feel compelled to call into question whether Mormonism itself is a valid belief system.

[1] Norman Geisler, “John Edward Carnell” in Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999), 114-120.
[2] “Origins of the Book of Mormon”, http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon?gclid=CK6igtH1ybACFWaFQAodmEWuYQ
[3] Ibid.
[4] http://www.shields-research.org/Books/Sperry/Spry_Isa

.html.
[5] http://www.mormonismdisproved.org/plagiarism.html

http://www.blogos.org/compellingtruth/mormons-beliefs.html

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