Is Mormonism Christian Unmasking the Church of Jesus

Is Mormonism Christian? Unmasking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dr. Tal Davis Email: josephtaldavis@ gmail. com Market. Faith Ministries www. marketfaith. org

LDS World Church Statistics z Total Membership (2012) 14, 782, 473 z Converts Baptized (2012) 272, 330

LDS World Church Statistics z. Congregations: (2012) 29, 014

LDS World Church Statistics z. Full-time Missionaries (2012): 58, 990 Missions: 347

LDS World Church Statistics Temples (2012): 141

Church Statistics (2012) United States: Members: 6, 321, 416 Congregations: 13, 742 Temples: 68 Missions: 103

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Joseph Smith, Jr. Born December 23, 1805 Grew Up In Palmyra, NY

z. Joseph sought wisdom as to which church to join

Joseph Smith’s “First Vision”Fall 1820

Claims Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to him

z 1823 Sept. 21 - Joseph’s “Second Vision” of Angel Moroni

z 1823 - Sept 23 - Joseph shown Golden Plates at Hill Cumorah 1827 - Sept. 22 - Smith obtained plates & began translation of The Book of Mormon

z. June 1829 - Book of Mormon translation completed z. March 1830 -First edition published in Palmyra NY

z 1830 - April 6 - “Church of Christ” restored with six members in Fayette NY

1831 - Mormons migrated to Kirtland, Ohio & Independence, Missouri 1838 - “Mormon War” in Missouri

z 1840 - Mormons move to Nauvoo, Illinois

z y. June 27 - Joseph Smith assassinated in Carthage, Ill.

z 1846 -47 z. Brigham Young leads westward trek to Utah z. Founded settlement in Salt Lake City, Utah

z Sept. 1890 - Pres. Wilford Woodruff proclaimed “Manifesto” suspending Plural Marriage z 1978 - Pres. Spencer W. Kimball announced revelation allowing black males to receive LDS priesthoods

Understanding Mormon Authority and Scripture

The Four Standard Works • King James Bible “As far as it is translated correctly”

The Book Of Mormon z Claims to be “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” z Smith claimed to translate from golden plates in “Reformed Egyptian”

Book of Mormon Timeline 600 BC – AD 400

Jesus Appears in the New World

Two Additional Mormon Scriptures • The Doctrine and Covenants • The Pearl of Great Price

President Thomas S. Monson Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.

Beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LDS Beliefs About God z An exalted man of flesh and bone z Has a physical body z Has a wife (or wives) z Heavenly Father did not create world from nothing but organized earth out of pre-existent matter

z. There Are Countless Other Gods In The Universe z. Our Heavenly Father Has A Father, Grandfather, etc.

LDS Beliefs about God z. Men may become gods z. Men are “Gods in embryo” z. Women May Become wives Of Gods

Beliefs about the Holy Ghost “The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. ” [Doctrine and Covenants 130: 22]

LDS Beliefs about Jesus z“Jehovah” in the Pre -mortal Estate z. The “Firstborn Son of God” z“Only-begotten” in the flesh

The Mormon Plan of Salvation Unconditional or “General” Redemption z. Jesus “Atoned” for Adam’s “Necessary Fall” in Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross z. Jesus raised from the dead to restore immortality lost in the fall for all humanity

The Mormon Plan of Salvation Conditional or “Individual” Redemption

Steps to Exaltation z 1. Faith

2. Repentance

3. Baptism By Immersion in the LDS Church by Aaronic Priesthood

4. Laying On Of Hands by a Member of the Melchizedek Priesthood in Order to Receive the Holy Ghost

5. Ordination as a Aaronic Priest and Melchizedek Priest (Men only)

6. Receiving the Temple Endowments (Men & Women)

7. Celestial (Temple) Marriage for Time and Eternity

8. Temple Works (Baptism and ordinances for the dead)

9. Observing the “Word of Wisdom”

10. Sustain The Prophet

11. Tithing

12. Weekly Sacrament Meetings

13. Obedience

Life After Death • Paradise for baptized Mormons • Spirit Prison for all others where missionaries preach Mormon gospel

Three Kingdoms Of Glory 1. Celestial Kingdom (Worthy Mormons) 2. Terrestrial Kingdom (Honorable people) 3. Telestial Kingdom (The ungodly, wicked, and filthy)

Basic Principles for Witnessing to Mormons 1. Have a clear understanding of authentic Christian beliefs 2. Understand Mormon beliefs 3. Define all terms clearly 4. Give a clear testimony of your faith in Christ 5. Focus on salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone

6. Warn the Mormon about trusting in feelings 7. Read all Bible verses in context 8. Focus on basic doctrines 9. Share the plan of salvation 10. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit