Question:  Dear Greg,

        I recently came into contact with several young men from the Mormon Church.  They have taught me about the Church of Jesus Christ and that there is a prophet and twelve apostles today.  Just like in the time of Jesus Christ.  Are they lying to me?  Why are they saying that prophets exist?  I honestly think that we need prophets today to guide us, like in the days of Noah, but I don’t know if their prophet is the one.

        Please help me.  I’m considering joining their church but wanted to ask you what you thought.

        Gus

Answer:  Dear Gus,

        Thank you for giving us a chance to help you at this time.  I will give you a summary of why I believe you should not become a Mormon.  Hopefully this will not be overkill, but because this is a serious decision, please forgive the length of the following.

        First, many people are rightly impressed by Mormon values and behavior.  However, the gospel of Jesus Christ says nothing at all about personal virtues being a qualification for Christianity.  We are saved, says the Bible, not because we are good, but because God is good, and because of his grace he saves us.  Atheists can be good, moral people.  That’s not the issue.  Christianity is the issue.

        Here are some issues you should consider:

1.      The God of the Mormons was not always God, is limited to being in one place at one time, and is said to have organized already created matter into the world that we know.  Mormonism attacks the Trinity, which is the biblical revelation of the nature of God.  Mormonism, in fact, teaches that humans may become God.  BY CONTRAST, the God of the Bible says that God is God from eternity, without beginning and without end, is omnipresent (everywhere at once), all-powerful and created the universe out of nothing.  The Bible reveals God to be God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  God gives eternal life to those who accept Christ, but humans have never been God in some past existence because we are created, mortal, and in need of God’s gift of salvation if we are to dwell with God forever.

2.      Mormonism teaches that Lucifer is the brother of Jesus, and that he is the elder brother of the human race.  BY CONTRAST, the Bible teaches that Jesus is and was God in the flesh, that he is God from eternity, and that he created Lucifer.

3.      Mormonism teaches that all humans lived with God before they lived in this world, and that we are all the literal sons and daughters of God.  BY CONTRAST, the Bible says that each of us has a beginning in time at our human birth, and that we become the children of God only through a re-birth and through faith in Jesus Christ.

4.      Mormonism teaches that Christianity died after the death of the original apostles, and that the apostasy from truth continued until Joseph Smith founded the true church in 1830.  BY CONTRAST, the Bible teaches that the gates of hell have not prevailed against the church--the body of Christ--and that true believers have been alive since the birth of the church recorded in the book of Acts.

5.      Mormons teach that the Bible is true only if it agrees with Mormon Doctrine, which includes “The Book of Mormon”, “The Doctrine and the Covenants”, and “The Pearl of Great Price”.  Mormonism teaches that the Bible cannot be trusted by itself.  BY CONTRAST, Christianity believes and the Bible affirms that it is fully inspired by God, and fully reliable.  The Bible has been subjected to historical criticism and tests of authenticity, and has proven to be true— even by secular tests.

6.      Salvation, according to Mormonism, is based upon individual works and deeds.  Mormonism teaches that the biblical teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ of salvation by grace alone is a dangerous teaching.  Mormonism teaches that human perfection can be attained.  BY CONTRAST, the Bible says that grace is given free to those who accept Christ, that we are saved by grace, that works are the divine result of saving faith, and that no human is perfect in this flesh.

7.      Official teachings of Mormonism include a host of legalistic requirements and teachings, including:

a.       a prohibition on coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol

b.      entrance into its temples only to certain Mormons who are “recommended”

c.       humans who have dark/black skin have been cursed

d.      Mormon prophets alone can guide the church and their teachings are equal to and even surpass the Bible— prophets are virtually infallible and cannot mislead the church.  You may also wish to inquire bout holy underwear!

Seriously Gus, rest assured that we will be praying that you are not deceived and that you will carefully consider the teachings and requirements of Mormonism and compare them to the teachings of the Bible.

        In Christ,

        Greg Albrecht