Mormon at Your Door - A Quick Reference Guide

The Bible
They Say:
The Bible has been corrupted by errors of translation and transmission, as well as by deliberate action.	(WMT; CJS; 1 Nephi 13:26-29, BOM)
God Says:
The words of God and Jesus cannot wither, fade, fall or pass away; this the Bible, the Word of God, cannot be corrupted.	(Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:23-25)

The Church
They Say:
The true Church was lost and needed restoring.	(WMT; WCR; CJC; FAR)
God Says:
The true Church is unshakable, indestructible, bringing glory to Christ in all ages.	(Isaiah 51:6-8; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:21; 5:38-39; Ephesians 3:20-21; Hebrews 10:23; 12:28)

The Secret Appearance
They Say:
Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father appeared in secret to Joseph Smith in the woods.	(CJC; FAR; JS 2:17 PGP)
God Says:
Since His coming would be obvious to all, Jesus warned us not to believe those who claimed to see Him in secret.	(Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:23-27; Luke 17:23-24; 21:8; Mark 13:21-22; Rev.1:7)

The Nature of God
They Say:
God, our Heavenly Father, is an exalted man of flesh and bone.	(CJS; D&C 130:22)
God Says:
God is a Spirit, able to dwell in men.	(Matthew 16:17; John 4:24; 14:23; Luke 24:39)

The Nature Between the Father and the Son
They Say:
Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Son are two distinct physical beings.	(CJS)
God Says:
The Father and the Son are distinct Persons, and yet are one God.	(Isaiah 9:6; John 5:17-18; 14:9-11)

The Holy Spirit
They Say:
The Holy Ghost is a third, distinct, spirit being; different also in function and identity from the Holy Spirit:	(CJS)
God Says:
The Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are two names for the same Being (the same Greek word, pneuma, is translated both ways), who is also one of the three Persons of the one God	(Isaiah 6:9-10 [compare with Acts 28:25-26]; Isaiah 48:14-17; Luke 1:35; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 10:15-17)

The Nature of Christ
They Say:
Jesus is the literal son of God, conceived as we were, but of an immortal Father.	(WMT)
God Says:
Jesus, Himself uncreated, created all things physical and spiritual before creating man upon the earth.	(Isaiah 45:12; John 1:1-2, 10; 17:5; Hebrews 1:12; 13:8)

Jesus and Lucifer
They Say:
Jesus is mankind's elder brother, firstborn spirit child of our Heavenly Father, and by inference, spirit-brother to Lucifer and his demons.	(WMT; POL)
God Says:
God does not change, and has never been anything other than He is now He specifically has never been a man.	(Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:21-23)

Salvation
They Say:
One's personal salvation and exaltation is conditioned upon his works and obedience to the teachings of the Mormon church, with the highest exaltation going to those who are most faithful.	(WMT; POL; ABW)
God Says:
Only those who trust in Christ will gain entrance into any heaven, based on that trust. "Almost" doesn't count! All others will be cast into the lake of fire as a result of trusting in their own good works.	(John 14:6; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:8, 21, 24; Revelation 20:4-6, 10-15; 21:18)

"They Say" references are quoted from official LDS Publications

WMT: What the Mormons Think of Christ, pamphlet published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (henceforth called the LDS church), July 1976.

CJS: Contributions of Joseph Smith, pamphlet written by Stephen L. Richard's (an LDS official), printed by Deseret Press (an official LDS printing company), May 1973. Back side of cover.

BOM: Book of Mormon. one of the works considered to be scripture by the LDS church, translated by Joseph Smith Printed by the LDS church, 1977 edition. Numbering by book, chapter and verse.

WCR: Which Church is Right?, pamphlet published by the LDS church, originally in 1974; we used the April 1976 reprint.

CJC: The Church as Organized by Christ, pamphlet published by the LDS church, April 1976.

FAR: The Falling Away and Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Foretold, pamphlet published by the LDS church, November 1975.

JS: Joseph Smith.

PGP: The Pearl of Great Price: A Selection from the Revelations, Translations, and Narrations of Joseph Smith, First Prophet, Seer and Revelator to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

D&C: The Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Containing Revelations Given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, with Some Additions by his Successors in the Presidency of the Church.

POL: The Purpose of Life, pamphlet published by the LDS church, May 1975.

ABW: After Baptism, What?, pamphlet published by the LDS church. April, 1970.

Please don't engage Mormons in verbal battle. Pray first, be led by the Holy Spirit, then share the scriptures verse by verse.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Defend Your Faith With The Word!

All Scripture Is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy. 3:16

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