Mormonism

I am hoping we can have a discussion on Mormonism. I have recently come across some things that have made me unsure about my views (which I have never really questioned). I've always been told outright that "it's a cult" and all that and grown up in that kind of environment. But I've never known a Mormon or given them a chance to defend their views to me. I have also never read the book of Mormon. I also don't know the basic apologetic arguments used by Christians against Mormonism. If anyone has experience in this area of apologetics I would appreciate the help. Please use primary source references (i.e. the Book of Mormon) whenever possible. If you just want to share some opinons or your experiences or something of that nature please do so in a new thread. I would like to keep this one as simple as possible. The format I would prefer would be one short argument at a time and then move on when that argument has been exhausted.

Firstly, might I suggest you have a look at www.carm.org they have quite a bit in the field of apologetics and cover mormonism fairly extensivley.My first argument against the book of Mormon, would be whats written on the front cover "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". The old Covenant was not the final word and within its own writings it admited as much. It said "behold the days are coming when I make a new Covenant (testament)". This is the argument that the wrtiter to the Hebrews uses to establish the validity of the new covenant. If there was no fault in the old one He wouldn't have promised a new one. But the new covenant has no promise of yet another to come, in fact Paul said if anyone man, angel or even himself preached another gospel let him be accursed.If I was speaking to an Orthodox Jew and he were to ask me what could he learn from the new covenant that he couldn't learn from the old I would have much to say to him. I asked that to a couple of mormons one time because I found it pointless arguing back and forth on different points; I said "is there anything that the book of mormon can teach me as a christian that I can't learn from the bible" for the first time they were silent. I know I haven't said anything about the content of the book of mormon yet, which it seems is mostly what you are looking for but I thought I would just look at the premise of the book as another testament first.Stuart.

Two books to read to create a focal point:The Four Major Cults, by Anthony A. Hoekema.The Mormon Murders - A true story of greed, forgery deceit and death, by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.

Mormon doctrine is too far from the Bible to be truly Christian. I grew up with a Mormon friend, who I've known now for about 13 years, and we've talked a bit about it. Also took a religion in U.S. class last semester and we spent quite some time on Mormonism. We also read some from the Book of Mormon.Todd, not a cool religion. I'm sure that there are Mormons who are truly Christian, but their church is teaching things that are far from the truth. This is a site I found which lays it out pretty nicely.Mormonism - Christian or Cult?The Book of Mormon and A Pearl of Great Price are considered equals to the Word of God, and there is much added to the Bible (not just apocrypha). These are not small doctrinal differences as seen between the baptist church and the lutheran church and an AG church...this is a lot bigger. Careful.

Stuart, This seems like a good start. It seems very clear to me that "testament" is very different than "covenant."

Stuart,This seems like a good start. It seems very clear to me that "testament" is very different than "covenant."Yes they are different words, but...It says "another testament" if it is another it indicates an earlier one, I persume that it is refering to the old and new testaments now this is another, a third testament. But in the only places where the KJV (which the LDS use) uses the word "testament" it is the same greek word that is elsewhere translated "covenant".So yes, in english the words may have different meanings but unless you can find out what other testament went before this one (the book of mormon) I think it is fair to tie it in with the concept of covenants in the bible.This highlights what would have been my second point: The Book of Mormon contains direct quotes from the King James Verision of the Bible. Whats wrong with that? the King James was translated in 1611 the book of mormon, so the story goes was translated from egyptian plates dating from 421 AD. What was KJV english doing on egyptian plates 1200 years before King James?

Mormonism 101 by McKeever/Johnson is a great introduction to Mormonism. It provides an overview of all basic LDS history and doctrine and is avaiable at your local christian bookstore. It is very respectful, it cleary defines things in a way most Mormons would agree with while maintaining a Christian perspective.

In Mormonism, they teach that God the Father was once a man and became a God. They believe in many Gods. The goal of Mormonism is to become a God. When they seek recruits, they keep it a secret that they believe in many Gods. They won't tell new recruits. They also teach that at the judgment seat, you will be judged by Joseph Smith, Adam, and Jesus Christ. There is a text in the book of Mormon they use on the people they are trying to bring into their fold that says,"Ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ if this is true." It is making the assumption that it is true. I told Mormons God told me it is not true. They claim The Book of Mormon is an account of when Jesus Christ came to America.They take the scripture that says,"I have another fold and they must come too". This passage refersto gentiles. The Mormons say it refers to America.Joseph Smith claimed he received the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni. He was also knownfor the occult practice of "glassblowing." :-o You can also read Walter Martin's Kingdom of the Cults or Fast Facts on False Teaching by Ed Deckera former Mormon.