THE BIBLE VERSES MORMONISM

The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans 16:16)

Dearly Beloved Readers: This article is being written to shed light on SOME of the doctrines of Mormonism, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).  It’s our sincere prayer that Mormons and Non-Mormons, wherever the INTERNET takes this lesson, will be blessed by God to better understand the WILL of God (Eph. 5:17).

One of the difficulties in reaching out to Mormons is finding common ground in terminology. Terms that are typically understood to have a particular meaning within the context of “historic” Christianity are used in an entirely different sense in a Mormon context.  For example, according to their book, “Gospel Principles” published by Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1978, the LDS HEAVEN is a place where at the final judgment one will be assigned to the kingdom he or she has EARNED.  The choices one makes in life on earth will be the measurement as to which kingdom they EARN.

According to Mormon Doctrine, a person will be sent to one of four places: the celestial kingdom, which is the highest degree of glory; the terrestrial kingdom, the middle degree; the telestial kingdom, which is the lowest degree of glory; or outer darkness, which is the kingdom of the devil and is not a degree of glory.

Celestial Kingdom - Only the ones who inherit this kingdom will live with the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever and ever.  They will become gods.  They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also.  To inherit the highest degree of this kingdom one must have been married for eternity in the temple.

Terrestrial Kingdom - The honorable people on the earth who were blinded to the Gospel of Christ will inherit this kingdom.  Those who rejected the Gospel on earth, but afterwards received it in the spirit world will inherit this kingdom.  Those who received the Gospel but afterwards were not valiant will inherit this kingdom.  These will not be part of an eternal family; they will live separately and singly forever and ever.  They will be visited by Jesus Christ, but not by the Heavenly Father.

Telestial Kingdom - Those in this kingdom did not receive the Gospel on earth or in the spirit world.  These are the liars, sorcerers, adulterers, whoremongers, and whosoever love and makes a lie.  These will suffer for their sins in hell until after the Millennium, when they will be resurrected.  They will be visited by the Holy Ghost, but not by the Father or the Son Jesus Christ.

Outer Darkness - These are they who had testimonies of Jesus through the Holy Ghost and had known the power of the Lord, but allowed Satan to overcome them.  There is no forgiveness for THEM (apostate Mormons).  They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever and ever.

In the Bible we can fine FIVE events connected with the doctrine of the Last Things.  They are: The Second Coming Of Jesus (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 22:12);  The Resurrection from the Dead (John 5:21; 1 Cor. 15:12); The Judgment (John 12:48; Rev. 20:12); Heaven (Luke 6:23; Rev. 21); and Hell (Matt. 10:28; Rev. 1:18).

When Jesus COMES AGAIN all the Dead will be RAISED (1 Cor. 15:51-52).  Therefore, in this article, Lord willing, we will speak about the next THREE events after the Resurrection: The Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.  In so doing, we will plainly show a contrast between the above false teachings of Mormonism (so cunningly being pawned off on the masses as the truth) with what the Bible says about the HEREAFTER - and always remember: THE BIBLE IS RIGHT!

THE JUDGMENT

The writer of Hebrews declares, “And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).  There will be no SECOND chance to avoid the judgment after death.  It is therefore foolish to teach and believe that a “priest” can pray a soul out of (so-called) “purgatory,” or that a Mormon can be baptized FOR a DEAD friend, relative, or unknown person.

Paul in Athens said, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).  This passage should bring GREAT joy to each of us.  I am happy to know that not one of you reading this article will be my judge at the last day.  It is comforting to have no worries about the unrighteous judgments of men (cf. John 7:24).

The teaching of the Judgment was totally new to Greek and Roman thought.  Most ancient religions had some concept of a future judgment, but not as one great day in which all people would be judged.  However, it is basic teaching throughout the Bible that the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished (cf. Gal. 6:7-9).  The Bible teaches that God has appointed a DAY when HE will judge the world.  He has assigned Jesus the task of being the JUDGE at that time (READ John 5:22-23; Acts 10:42; Rom. 2:16).

The Judgment will be UNIVERSAL - EVERYONE will be there.  Even those who believe in God and obey Him will be there.  The Judgment will be a REALITY.  It does not depend upon whether one believes it or not.  EVERYONE, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, saint and sinner will be there.  The Bible says, “...For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10).

The Judgment will be conducted on an INDIVIDUAL basis.  Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).  Each person will give an account of the deeds he has done (Rev. 20:12).

The Judgment will be COMPLETE.  Each will give account of the thoughts of the heart (Pro. 23:7; Acts 8:22).  Each will give account of the words they have spoken (Matt. 12:36-37).  Each person will give an account of what he has done (cf. 1 John 3:4).  Each one will give an account of the things he has failed to do (James 4:17).  Man is an accountable being, and must give account of the way he has spent his life (Rom. 14:12).

The Word of God, which is the Bible, affirms that the Judgment will be FINAL.  There is one physical life, one physical death, and one judgment (Heb. 9:27).  There is only one period of trial, THIS LIFE, according to the Scriptures (the Bible).  Judgment does NOT occur when a man dies. There is one day of judgment for all men as Acts 17:31 teaches.  Again, as we’ve said above, neither can any man alter the eternal destiny of another after they are dead.  The Word of God plainly points out that each man is responsible for his own sins (READ Ezekiel 18:20).

Another truth that MUST be understood is that the Judgment of God is RIGHTEOUS.  God is a righteous judge (2 Tim. 4:8).  The judgments HE makes are true and righteous (Rev. 19:2).  This means two things.  First, it means the judgment of God will be fair.  God is no respector of persons (Acts 10:34).  When HE judges, He will accurately know the situation.  He will be able to judge the person not only by the deed he has done, but by the motive for doing the deed (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).  He will be able to judge the person not only for what he did or did not do, but in light of the ability and opportunity that he had (Matthew 25).

There will be no CHEATING at the Judgment.  The record will be laid bare, and we will be judged according to HIS Word.  Jesus said, “He that rejected me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

Second, the righteous Judgment means that God has the right to judge us.  God created man.  He has instructed man what is required of him as stated in Micah 6:8, “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

The business of living right is a dreadfully serious business.  Men may revolt against the moral law and laugh at what they call the restraints of religion, and the narrowness of our principles.  They may talk about the repressive and suppressive influences of the church and urge revolutions not only in the state, but also in the realm of morals that will throw off any binding influence.  But righteousness is still the norm of life in the sight of God (Ps. 11:7; 45:7)!  It is an unchanging and eternal attribute of God Himself (Ezra 9:15; John 17:25).

It is time that we come face to face with the fact that God is righteous, and that God demands righteousness (cf. Phil. 3:9).  We must face the fact that an hour is coming when men are going to stand before the righteous Judge, and unless they have believed, repented, and obeyed the Gospel (by being immersed in water to wash their sins away by the blood of Jesus), they will be condemned forever and ever.

EARNING SALVATION???

Remember now that the LDS HEAVEN is a place “where at the final judgment one will be assigned to the kingdom he or she has EARNED.”  According to Mormon teaching, “the choices one makes in life on earth will be the measurement as to which kingdom they EARN.”

Above, we described their THREE degrees of glory (the LDS HEAVEN).  They are the Celestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom, and Telestial Kingdom.  Mormon leaders also teach (possibly as a scare tactic) what they call an Outer Darkness - the kingdom of the devil (their eternal hell).  We say this is a scare tactic doctrine because Outer Darkness is reserved ONLY for Mormons who have left the Mormon faith.  Every other good or wicked person will inherit some degree of glory.

We can hardly contain our self for want of refuting these false doctrines...  But, before dealing specifically with each of their “kingdoms,” we will first prove FALSE their above teaching that one must EARN his way into Heaven.  Then, Lord willing, we will share with you the Bible teaching on Heaven.

Friends and Loved Ones, Jesus paid the ONLY price that anyone will ever pay to prepare a mansion for His children in Heaven (John 14:1-3).   He died so that each of us could be born again (John 3:5).  Jesus shed His precious blood to PURCHASE the children of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).    So, if the price (the blood of Christ) has been paid (Rev. 1:5; Matt. 26:28), and a penitent believer obeys the Lord’s command to be born again (immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins - Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12), how in the world can this be EARNING one’s way into Heaven?

The LDS, the Catholics, the Jews, the Moslems, the New Age Movement, and all so-called Protestant denominations teach (or show by their actions) that one must EARN his salvation.  To EARN one’s salvation is to DO something to be saved that is NOT written in the Bible.   This is where the confusion lies in RELIGION.  Doing things that God has NOT commanded is how one attempts to EARN a place in “Heaven.”

However, simply being OBEDIENT to the Will of God (through His Word - the Bible) will GUARANTEE every soul a place in Heaven - not because we’ve EARNED it - but because Jesus PURCHASED, REDEEMED, and did all that can ever be done to RECONCILE us (return obedient souls to God - Heb. 2:17).

We who are members of the churches of Christ are often accused of teaching that one must EARN his salvation.  No, we do not teach that vile false doctrine.  However, we DO teach that one must OBEY GOD’S WORD to be saved (Heb. 5:9; Acts 5:32) .  And WOE unto you, if you are teaching or believing that a man can be saved without obeying God (cf. Rom. 1:5; 16:26)!

We challenge any RELIGIOUS LEADER (or anyone else) to prove (from the Bible) that God will save people who do NOT obey Him (cf. 2 Thess. 1:7-9).  Obeying God is NOT “earnings” one’s salvation.  Obeying God is simply DOING what God has commanded each of us to DO to be saved.  Therefore, we who are members of the churches of Christ are NOT trying to EARN our salvation.  We know we are saved (cf. 2 Tim. 2:10) because we are obeying God (not the pope or Joseph Smith, or any other man or woman - or their teachings).

So friends, we beg each of you to stop teaching and following things that are NOT written in the Bible (cf. Rev. 22:18-19).  STOP wearing your rosaries; STOP saying one is saved BEFORE he is baptized (cf. Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21); STOP using mechanical instrumental music in your worship.  STOP trying to EARN your salvation by following one or more of the many MAN-MADE teachings not found in the Bible. THEN, study your Bible and OBEY everything God tells you to OBEY (Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46).

HEAVEN

The Bible teaches that there are only two roads in life.  One road leads to Heaven and the other road leads to hell (Matt. 7:13-14).  Jesus has promised ONLY His faithful disciples an eternal home in Heaven (John 14:1-3; Rev. 2:10). When we stand before God in judgment, ONLY those will be saved who have recognized (and repented of) their sin, turned to God by believing in Jesus, and received the benefits of His blood by obeying the Gospel through the watery grave of baptism (Rom. 6:2-6; Mark 16:16; cf. Rom. 10:16).

The Word of God often affirms the existence of Heaven (READ Matt. 5:12; 6:20; Luke 18:22; Col. 1:5; Heb. 10:34; 1 Pet. 1:4; cf. 2 Tim. 4:6-8).  We wonder to which of their THREE kingdoms or “degrees of glory" would the Mormon RELIGIOUS LEADERS assign these passages?  Above we discussed the false Mormon doctrine that they can EARN their way to heaven (or to one of their three kingdoms).  Now, let’s quickly discuss their false teaching about the “kingdoms” themselves.

The Bible does speak of THREE kingdoms, but nowhere does it speak of a Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial kingdom.  The Bible speaks of the (1) kingdoms of men (Gen. 10:10; Num. 32:33; 1 Kings 4:21; Ester 3:6; cf. Dan 2:37; 4:17, 25, 32), (2) a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6; cf. 1 Pet. 2:5, 9), and (3) the ONE everlasting kingdom of God (Ps. 145:13; 1 Chron. 29:11; Dan. 2:44; 4:3; Matt. 3:2; 6:33; Luke 9:27; 17:21; John 18:36; Acts 8:12; 2 Pet. 1:11).  But again, nowhere does the Bible speak of the THREE kingdoms of Mormonism.

The problem with the doctrine of our LDS friends (and all other denominations) comes down to a matter of authority.  The Mormons want to follow the Bible and thereby be considered Christians; yet, they want to follow the Book of Mormon so they can distinguish themselves as Mormons (or so-called Mormon Christians).  However, where in the Bible do you read of a Mormon Christian?  Or for that matter, where do you read of a Baptist Christian or Catholic Christian, etc.?

Friends, you cannot have it both ways.  If you desire to become or remain a Mormon, you must continue to follow the Book of Mormon.  However, to be a Christian ONLY you must follow the BIBLE ONLY.  The Bible must be your ONLY authority in religion.  Trying to follow both books at the same time leads only to confusion. Why?  Because (as we have plainly shown above) the Bible and the Book of Mormon contradict each other.  The Bible and ANY of the false teachings of men contradict each other.

The Bible came from God (1 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:20-21).  The Book of Mormon came from a man (Joseph Smith, Jr.).  CHRISTIANS don’t follow the teachings of men (including men such as the pope, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Alexander Campbell, King Henry, etc.).  Following the traditions, doctrines and commandments of men simply make your worship vain or useless (Mark 7:6-13).

As we think about Heaven (God’s everlasting kingdom), we see a beautiful connection between the first and last books of the Bible.  Scripture resembles a flower.  We find the seed in Genesis, the growing plant in the books which follow, and the fully developed and beautiful flower in the apocalypse or book of Revelation.  Genesis tells us that "God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).  Revelation describes "a new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1ff).

In Genesis the luminaries are called to being: sun, moon, and stars (Gen. 1:14-18).  In Revelation we read, "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Rev. 21:23).  Genesis describes a Paradise which was lost (Gen. 3).  Revelation pictures a Paradise restored (Rev. 2:7; 22:2).

Genesis describes the cunning and power of the devil.  Revelation tells us that the devil was bound (Rev. 20:10).  Genesis pictures man fleeing from God.  Revelation shows the wonderful communion between God and redeemed man: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev. 21:3).

Finally, Genesis shows us the tree of life, with an angel to keep the way of the tree of life, lest man put forth his hand and take of its fruit (Gen. 3:22-24).  Revelation shows that the obedient man has his right to the tree of life restored (Rev. 22:14).  The Word of God mentions Heaven time and again, but the clearest picture is in the book of Revelation.  Heaven is real.  The redeemed will one day be there (Rev. 14:13; 22:14).  How beautiful Heaven must be!

HELL

Since there is a Heaven, there is also a hell.  The Bible declares that they both exist.  Since the Word of God is true when it declares that there is a Heaven, then it is also true when it declares there is a hell.  The Greek word for hell is used twelve times in the New Testament, and Jesus uses it ten of those times.  He said in Matthew 25:46, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

There are three basic reasons why there is a hell.  First, Divine justice demands it.  God rules the universe (Dan. 4:25).  His justice is tempered with mercy, but the majesty, dignity, honor, holiness, and justice of God must be upheld.  This requires punishment of the wicked and rewards for the righteous. God’s Word teaches that man will reap what he sows (Gal. 6:7-9).

Second, the exceeding wickedness of sin requires that there be a hell.  Sin earns its punishment (Rom. 6:23).  Third, the Word of God declares that there is a hell.  If God’s Word declares it, then it must be true (READ Matt. 5:22; 10:28; Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 20:10).  The nature of hell is a conscious state of punishment in which the wicked are never released.

Notice some of the descriptive names of hell: eternal fire (Matt. 25:41); eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46; hell of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43); cast into hell where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:47-48); second death or lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).  These picture to us a place of hopelessness, because it is eternal.

Think of what this means...one can undergo and stand almost anything if he has hope that one day things will be better.  But in hell there is no hope.  The second death implies eternal separation from God. God will not hear the prayers of those in hell.  There is no second chance.  There is no hope.

Hell is eternal.  The same words used to describe the length of Heaven are used to describe the length of hell - “everlasting punishment and eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).  These are from the same Greek word “anionis” which means “eternal, everlasting, incessant, never ceasing.

Hell is prepared for those who are disobedient to God and unrepentant.  Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels (messengers - Matt. 25:41).  A blind man in the dark would be able to see that Mormon doctrine contradicts the things above.  Hell (to the Mormon mind) is found in their fictitious Telestial Kingdom. “Liars, sorcerers, adulterers, whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie” will go there.

The nice think about it (according to the false teaching of Mormonism) is that these wicked people will only suffer in the Mormon hell until after the Millennium.  Then they will be resurrected and visited by the Holy Ghost, but not by the Father or Son.  What a COMFORTING bunch of lies.  All you wicked people who are reading this article should immediately become Mormons.  But if you do, BEWARE!  You will only be deceived into thinking that you won’t suffer eternally as the Bible plainly teaches (Matt. 25:46). As mentioned above, the Mormon “Outer Darkness” is their eternal HELL.  However, conveniently, it is reserved only for apostate Mormons.

Loved ones, we have no animosity against any people (Catholics, Baptist, Mormons, homosexuals, or anyone else).  However, we will continue to expose the false teachings of your faith in hopes that one day God will give you “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that (you) may recover (yourselves) out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

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