There’s a New Cult in Town
April 19, 2015 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: There is one Gospel, one Jesus, and only one way of Salvation; God has revealed that to us through the Holy Bible.
Focus Passage: Galatians 1:6-10
Introduction: Todays Mormons are nice people. They are sincere about their beliefs, but they are sincerely wrong. Mormonism has a dubious beginning and a terrifying history of changing their Scripture and Doctrine at the whim of their current prophet. I’m sure that each one of you got an invitation to attend the opening of the new LDS church in town. Some of you have been visited by their missionaries. We must know the truth about Mormonism, because, in fact, it is NOT a church of Jesus Christ, but it is a cult.
I. God is a Unique God
a. Mormons say that God is one of many Gods.
i. His name is Elohim
ii. He is not the God of the Universe, only the God of Earth
iii. God was born to another god and goddess
iv. God was once a man as we are now
v. We can become a god just like Elohim and be the god of our own planet
b. The Bible says that there is only ONE GOD
i. His name is Yahweh which means, “I AM”
ii. God created the universe and sits on the only throne
iii. God was not born or created
iv. We can be adopted as sons and daughters of God, but will never be a god
II. Jesus is the only Son of the only God
a. Mormons say that Jesus is one of the sons of Elohim and an earthly mother, conceived the natural way
i. Lucifer is another son of Elohim
ii. Jesus was married and had children
iii. Jesus is not equal to God
iv. Jesus died to make it possible for men to become a god of their own planet
v. Jesus now lives on a planet near the star Coleb
b. The Bible says that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the only God, conceived by the Holy Spirit
i. Lucifer is a fallen angel, not the brother of Jesus
ii. Jesus was not married and had not children
iii. Jesus is equal to God and is, in fact, God
iv. Jesus died to make it possible for men to be forgiven by the Father and inherit eternal life in Heaven
v. Jesus is in Heaven where He waits for the right time to return to earth to establish a 1000 year earthly Kingdom before the final Judgment
III. The Bible is the only Revealed Word of God
a. The Mormons say that the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and gave him golden tablets
i. Joseph Smith translated these golden tablets by sticking his face in a hat and telling someone what to write in 1830. Subsequent companion volumes were written later
ii. Joseph Smith says that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book in the world, including the Bible
iii. Joseph Smith wrongly interpreted an Egyptian “letter of the dead” as the lost Book of Abraham
iv. The prophet of the LDS Church reveals the truth of god and even changes previously held doctrine
1. Case in point: Both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught that the moon was in habited. Young said the sun was inhabited, too. This was officially dropped in July 1969.
b. The Bible is the only revelation of the Word of God
i. It was written over a period of more than 2000 years; penned by men, inspired by the Holy Spirit
ii. The Word of God is perfect and complete
iii. The Doctrine of the Bible does not change nor is anyone a designated prophet to change it
Application/Invitation: Do not be afraid to engage Mormons. They are lost souls looking for salvation. They have been deceived. When talking with Mormons, ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct the conversation and to open the eyes of the person to the TRUTH. Do not argue; be kind and gentle. They are simply out “earning their salvation”. Help them to understand that the Jesus of the Bible paid it all. One meeting with Mormons isn’t going to change their minds and hearts, unless the Holy Spirit does it. When people are combative with them or insult them, they take it as a mark that they are doing what they are supposed to do. When they ask you to read the BOM and pray that God will reveal truth to you, tell them that the Bible says you are to look to the Bible for truth, not the words of man. If they get indignant and put their hand over their heart and say, “I solemnly swear that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is true.” Put your hand over your heart and say, “I solemnly swear that Joseph Smith is not a prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is not true.” Remember, the Holy Spirit dwells in YOU!
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(Extra information not preached)
Topic Christian Mormon
GOD There is only one God. (Isaiah 43:11; 44:6, 8; 45:5) "And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light," (Book of Abraham 4:3).
God has always been God. (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 57:15) "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).
God is a spirit without flesh and bones. (John 4:24; Luke 24:39) "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's," (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; Compare with Alma 18:26-27; 22:9-10).
"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
TRINITY The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all the universe, and that He exists in three eternal, simultaneous persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35).
JESUS Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23) "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood--was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115).
"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 547).
Jesus is the eternal Son. He is second person of the Trinity. He has two natures. He is God in flesh and man (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2;9) and the creator of all things (Col. 1:15-17). Jesus is the literal spirit-brother of Lucifer, a creation (Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
THE
HOLY
SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is not a force. He is a person. (Acts 5:3-4; 13:2) Mormonism distinguishes between the Holy Spirit (God's presence via an essence) and the Holy Ghost (the third god in the Mormon doctrine of the trinity).
"He [the Holy Ghost] is a being endowed with the attributes and powers of Deity, and not a mere force, or essence," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 144).
SALVATION Salvation is the forgiveness of sin and deliverance of the sinner from damnation. It is a free gift received by God's grace (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 6:23) and cannot be earned. (Rom. 11:6) Salvation has a double meaning in Mormonism: universal resurrection and . . .
"The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79).
Salvation (forgiveness of sins) is not by works. (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:21) "As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements--'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,'" (Articles of Faith, p. 79).
BIBLE The inspired inerrant word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). It is authoritative in all subjects it addresses. "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . ." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church)
[https://carm.org/comparison-between-christian-doctrine-and-mormon-doctrine]
ADAM LDS: Father of physical mankind. Adam is also known as Michael the archangel, the ancient of days, (D&C 116).
Bible: the first created man by whom all of humanity descends. He was not Michael the archangel.
ATONEMENT
LDS: The sacrifice of Christ that made resurrection possible along with the possibility of our earning forgiveness of sins. Bible: The substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. He died for our sins (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2).
AARONIC
PRIESTHOOD LDS: A lesser priesthood in the LDS church. It is still used in LDS church practices and is held by the very young, (D&C 107:1, 6, 10).
Bible: A priesthood that is no longer necessary now that we have the full revelation of Christ.
BAPTISM LDS: A necessary ordinance for salvation in the Mormon church. By it sins are washed away. Bible: An ordinance of the Christian church that is not necessary for salvation (Rom. 5:1).
BIBLE LDS: The Bible is correct only as far as it is correctly translated. It is basically trustworthy. It is the only one of the four standard works (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) that is not considered infallible. The KJV is the official Bible of the LDS church. Bible: the Bible is the inspired inerrant word of God (2 Tim. 3:16).
BISHOP LDS: an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood of the LDS church, D&C 20:67).
Bible: An office held by a male member of the Church.
CELESTIAL
HEAVEN LDS: The highest of the three levels of heaven where faithful Mormons are exalted to Godhood. Bible: There is no such thing as a celestial heaven.
CHURCH LDS: The LDS church with its organizational structure, laws, and proper name. Bible: The body of believers in the true and living God through Jesus. It is comprised of those who are redeemed and is not limited to an earthly structure.
DAMNATION LDS: Basically, anything lesser than exaltation (becoming a God). Bible: The state of condemnation, judged by God in eternal hell (Matt. 25:46).
DEVIL LDS: See Satan. Bible: See Satan.
ELOHIM LDS: The name of God the Father. Bible: The Hebrew word for "God." The name of God is "YHWH," which means "I AM," (Exodus 3:14).
ETERNAL
LIFE LDS: Exaltation (exaltation to a Mormon means obtaining Godhood) in the Celestial Kingdom. Bible: Forgiveness of sins and life eternal with God (John 17:3; Rom. 6:23).
EXALTATION LDS: The state of becoming a god in the celestial heaven. Bible: There is no such thing as becoming a God in the Bible.
FALL OF
MANKIND LDS: A blessing (Mosiah 3: 11-16). A necessary step in the progression of humanity to the level of Godhood. Bible: The open rebellion of Adam and Eve against God resulting in their condemnation and the fall of mankind.
GOD LDS: One of countless gods in existence. An exalted man from another world who created the earth who's name is "Elohim." He became a god by following the laws and ordinances of his god on the other world. He has a body of flesh and bones, D&C 130: 22-23).
Bible: The one and only God in all the universe, (Isaiah 44:6, 8).
GODHEAD LDS: An office held by three separate Gods: the Father who is a god; Jesus who is a god; and the Holy Ghost who is a god. Bible: God Himself, not an office. Three persons in one God. A Trinity: The Father; the Son; and the Holy Spirit.
GOSPEL LDS: The laws and ordinances of the Mormon church. Bible: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of the sins of all who would trust in Him (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
HEAVEN LDS: Divided into three Kingdoms: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. The Celestial is for perfect Mormons, the Terrestrial is for moral people and lukewarm LDS, and the Telestial Kingdom is for everyone else. Bible: The dwelling place of God (1 Kings 8:30). Christians go to heaven.
HELL LDS: The temporary abode in the spirit world between death and resurrection for those awaiting telestial glory, (D&C 76: 84-85, 106). Hell will come to an end.
Bible: the eternal dwelling place of those who rejected the atoning work of Christ.
HOLY
GHOST LDS: "A spirit man. He can only be at one place at one time . . . " (Mormon Doctrine by Bruce McConkie, p. 359.) The Holy Ghost is contrasted with the Spirit of God, which is the influence of the Godhead that fills the immensity of space which enables God to know what is going on. It is likened to electricity." D&C 130: 22-23).
Bible: Third person of the Trinity. Same as Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4).
HOLY
SPIRIT LDS: The presence of God as distinguished from the Holy Ghost who is a god in the mormon trinity. Bible: An equivalent term to Holy Ghost, third person in the Trinity.
JEHOVAH LDS: The name of Jesus in the Old Testament. Bible: The name of God is "YHWH," which means "I AM," (Exodus 3:14).
JESUS LDS: Literal offspring of God the father. Spirit brother of Satan. A god in the Godhead. He is Jehovah of the O.T. compared to Elohim being the Father. He was the first spirit child to be born to the Father and Mother gods. Ordained as the Christ in the pre-existent Grand Council before coming to earth. Bible: Jesus is God, second person of the Trinity (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9).
KINGDOM
OF GOD LDS: Celestial heaven. The kingdom of God on earth is the LDS church. Bible: All the believers of Christ (Matt. 13:41-43).
MARRIAGE LDS: An eternal bonding of husband and wife that continues into the afterlife. These couples will continue to have children, (D&C 132:15-20).
Bible: the holy covenant between a man and a woman that is broken at death.
MELCHIZEDEK
PRIESTHOOD LDS: A greater priesthood in the LDS church held by elders, (D&C 107).)
Bible: A priesthood held by Jesus alone.
PRE-EXISTENCE LDS: We existed in heaven with God our (literal) Father and mother before we became human. Bible: We did not exist before we came to earth (1 Cor. 15:46).
SALVATION LDS: Two fold meaning: Simple bodily resurrection of all people. Also, forgiveness of sins. Bible: Forgiveness of sins with the result of a present new life and in the future eternal life with God (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 6:23; 10:9-10).
SATAN LDS: The opposer of God, literal son of God, brother of Jesus and all people begotten in the pre-existent spirit world. Bible: A fallen angel who rebelled against God.
SCRIPTURE LDS: Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. Bible: Only the Bible is scripture.
TEMPLE LDS: A present day temple used to practice the ordinances and ceremonies of the gospel of the LDS church on behalf of the living as well as the dead. Bible: The Old Testament building where God dwelt, sacrifices were offered, and holy priestly rites were administered. There is no longer a need for temples.
TRINITY LDS: Three gods: a god called the Father; a god called the son; a god called the Holy Ghost. Bible: The one and only God in all existence who is comprised of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. See Trinity.
[https://carm.org/mormon-definitions]
