The Falsity of Mormonism

It is important to warn people of false religious cults. Quite often in the reformed world we discuss, and rightly, the nuanced differences of fine points of doctrine. This is important because precision is needful when handling the Scriptures in the Christian Church. However, no matter what their claims, the Church of Latter Day Saints or the Mormons as they are commonly labelled are not part of the communion of Christian churches. I will explain why in a moment.

It is astonishing that many conservative Christians in the United States were willing to support a Mormon Republican candidate (Mitt Romney) for the White House in the presidential elections in 2012. God in his all wise providence prevented this from happening and for this I thank God. I think most American Christians and preachers give far too few warnings concerning the falsity of Mormonism. It is an American based religion that has missionary endeavours and yet there is so much wrong with them despite their apparent "clean-cut" image.

What is wrong and false about the Mormon religion?

1. The first thing is one of authority. The Book of Mormon has greater authority in their eyes than the Holy Bible. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered them: “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray". The Lord Jesus Christ was the last prophet to bring the final revelation from God and yet the Mormons claim that in the early part of the 19th Century that Joseph Smith had heavenly visions. This included the discovery of golden plates which apparently included the history of the American inhabitants, including a visit by Jesus Christ. This became the Book of Mormon. The unfortunate thing is that these gold plates do not exist. So here is the first false premise. Unbiblical revelations outside of the Scriptures, ones which contradict the truth of the Bible.

2. The denial of basic Christian doctrines. The doctrine of the Trinity is held by all orthodox branches of the Christian church but it is not held by the Mormons. This is common of all cults and sects which also includes the Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses who deny the truth that God is Triune and the full deity of Jesus Christ. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states succinctly:
Question. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
Answer. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

The Athanasian Creed expounds the orthodox Christian understanding of the doctrine of God and of the Trinity and it concludes that: "This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved". Therefore, the Mormon denial of the Trinity means that there is no salvation within their walls and they are an utterly false church.

3. They unfortunately come under the guise of truth by falsely using the word "church" in their title as well as the name "Jesus Christ". The question is "does the Mormon understanding of Jesus Christ measure up to the biblical teaching of the person of Jesus Christ?". If you have visited the temple in Salt Lake City you will be struck by the Mormon love of pictures of a white and blonde haired Jesus. Despite the fact the Scriptures forbid us to have images of God, they seem to relish in their portrayals of a white American Jesus. They are not a church founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who is begotten by the Father, not created and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

4. Mormonism is an American skewed religion. They believe that Jesus will come back to North America and that he will set up his earthly kingdom in America. There is a common problem when investigating this religion and it is finding out what Mormons really believe because they are not always that clear. It is almost a deliberate vagueness to confuse and mislead people. Their official website will cite the Book of Mormon as authoritative material, not to explain the Scriptures, such as Christian Creeds or Confessions, but as primary source material.

Here is a link of a book to expose the falsity of Mormonism in more detail: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0801063353/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item_image
For online resources check out this website: Mormonism Research Ministry: http://www.mrm.org/about

If you are interested in hearing the gospel, or if you are a Mormon and you live in England and yet you are thirsty for the true historic gospel of God, then you are welcome to come and worship at Sheffield Presbyterian Church: www.sheffieldpres.org.uk