LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

MORMANISM: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. FRED SMITH

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE COURSE APOL 500

BY

ROBERT C. STILWELL, JR.

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010

Introduction 3

Brief Summary of Fundamental Mormon Doctrine 3

Critical Analysis of Mormon History and Doctrine 4

An Evangelistic Approach to Reaching Mormons 6

Conclusion 8

Bibliography 9

2
 Introduction

It has been suggested that Mormonism is quite possibly the greatest threat to the

welfare and growth of genuine Christianity.1 While the Mormon Church, or The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), insists that it is a correction of the corrupted Christian faith,

the theological teachings of this religion differ greatly from those of orthodox Christianity, as

well as the biblical concepts of God, Jesus Christ, man, and salvation. This study examines some

of these conceptual differences, as well as the history and revelations of LDS, offers a basic

approach to evangelizing LDS adherents with the true Gospel, and asserts that Mormonism is a

non-Christian cult founded on questionable revelations, human agendas, and ignorance.

Brief Summary of Fundamental Mormon Doctrine

It should be stated that the Mormon Church believes that the original Gospel was

corrupted after the death of the Apostolic Fathers and rejects the inerrant and authoritative nature

of the Bible, although it does give partial authority to the King James Version, which,

nevertheless, is subordinate to the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and The Pearl of

Great Price. LDS hold the words of Mormon prophets--past, present, and future--to be the final

authority in all matters of life and religion. In this light, a basic understanding of Mormon

theology is essential to identifying its doctrinal deviations from biblical Christianity. These

differences are most easily seen in the LDS views of God, man, Jesus, and salvation.

God and Man

According to Mormon beliefs, God the Father possesses a glorified body of flesh and

bones. This idea is critical to LDS theology as it serves as the foundation of the Mormon

1
Carl Mosser and Paul Owen, “Mormonism,” in To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the Christian
Worldview, ed. Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 2004), 324

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conception of the relationship between humanity and deity.2 Mormonism claims that God the

Father is literally an exalted man. This man-god, “Elohim”, has a wife, “Heavenly Mother,”

with whom he procreates, producing “spirit children” who live in pre-existence while waiting for

a human body in which to be born.3 LDS rejects the trinitarian view of the Godhead and claims

that God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct beings, thus presenting a

polytheistic position. Mormonism holds to the belief that all men can become gods, a concept

summarized in the LDS saying: “As we are, God once was; as God is, we can become.”

Jesus and Salvation

The fundamental Mormon concept of God lays the foundation for the LDS view of

Jesus Christ. Jesus is believed to have been created by a literal sexual union of Elohim and

Mary. The first “spirit child,” Jesus is said to be the half-brother of Satan, as well as all “spirit

children,” both angelic and human. Therefore, Christ is not a unique incarnation of God the

Father because all “spirit children” are incarnations of God.4 Likewise, as Jesus is one of many

incarnations of God, His atoning work on the cross is of no salvific value to Mormons, whose

idea of salvation is of a progressive works-based nature, where there is no condemnation, only

varying levels of exaltation. Grace only comes into bearing when all works have been weighed.

Critical Analysis of Mormon History and Doctrine

Although Mormonism employs Christian language and claims to call on the name of

Jesus, the theology of the Mormon Church is decidedly non-Christian, unbiblical, and awkward

in its doctrinal development. Mormonism appears to be founded upon dubious revelations,

2
Kent P. Jackson, “Are Mormons Christians? Presbyterians, Mormons, and the Question of Religious
Definitions,” Nova Religio 4, no. 1 (2000): 57
3

James Walker, “Mormonism,” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, ed. Ed Hinson and Ergun
Caner (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008), 360
4

Chad Owen Brand, “Is Mormonism Compatible with the Bible?,” in The Apologetics Study Bible: Real
Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 39

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human agendas, and a continuously evolving doctrine. Space does not allow for an in-depth

study of the magnitude of error and folly that permeates the Mormon Church and its beliefs, but

this brief look into LDS history and practice proves sufficient in making the point.

Shaky Foundations

The early history of Mormonism seems to be a cross between “Indiana Jones” and a

wild-west action-adventure. Founder Joseph Smith claimed to have been told by God the Father

and Jesus that all religions were completely corrupt and he was led to golden tablets that

contained the true Gospel. After he had translated the “Reformed Egyptian Hieroglyphics,”

which archaeologists and scholars insist never existed, with the aid of “magical glasses,” the

tablets were taken away by the angel Moroni.

Smith also claimed to have translated a book written by Abraham during his sojourn to

Egypt. It told a bizarre history of the Native Americans, claiming that they were of Jewish

ancestry, but they apostatized and were given the mark of dark skin as a sign of unworthiness.

This book became part of The Pearl of Great Price. DNA tests have proven that Native

Americans are descended from northeast Asian peoples, not Jewish, further damaging Smith’s

credibility and the book’s reliability.5 When the Rosetta Stone was discovered, this alleged

writing of Abraham was determined to be part of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, of which,

Smith had not correctly translated even one word.6 However, the Mormon Church refuses to

accept this evidence and continues to cling to Smith’s invalid claims. And unlike biblical

writings, there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the existence of any of the places and

peoples described in the Book of Mormon. These and other highly questionable revelations and

discoveries form the basis of the entire Mormon system of beliefs.

5
Walker, “Mormonism,” 358
6

Ibid.

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Revelations of Convenience and Ever-changing Doctrine

It is documented that the text of the Book of Mormon has been revised in over 4000

places, including significant historical and doctrinal modifications.7 Many of these doctrinal

changes seem to have been through revelations of personal convenience or financial benefit for

the Mormon Church. For instance, Joseph Smith’s revelation concerning the authorization of

polygamy appears to have been received at a time when he was under much scrutiny and

criticism for his adulterous behavior. But when statehood for Utah was threatened because of

polygamous practices, a new revelation was received which banned plural marriages.

Similarly, the belief that dark skin was a mark of unworthiness, particularly as it

pertained to people of African descent, continued until 1978, just after the height of the civil

rights movement, when the prophet Spencer Kimball had a new revelation that change this long-

held belief as well. Are these mere coincidences, compromises of this alleged “true gospel,” or

is it that perhaps the man-gods of Mormonism simply cannot make up their minds?8 It certainly

appears that LDS doctrine only changes when it benefits or is forced upon the Mormon Church

or its leaders. In contrast, fundamental doctrine has remained unchanged for nearly 2000 years

within orthodox Christianity.

Evangelistic Approach to Reaching Mormons

Beginning on common ground by discussing the similarities between Mormonism and

true Christianity will naturally lead to the differences which separate the two. Above all, an

argumentative attitude must be avoided. As 1 Peter 3:15 states, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in

your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account

Ibid., 358
8

Dan Story, Christianity on the Offense: Responding to the Beliefs and Assumptions of Spiritual Seekers
(Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998), 120

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for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (NASB, emphasis added). The

key to any evangelistic effort is to show genuine love, concern, and compassion. Christians have

the truth that humanity seeks, but the right to share that truth must be earned. An effective

apologist/evangelist “convinces without being offensive.”9

An impersonal, fixed approach which simply offers rehearsed answers should also be

avoided. One must gain somewhat of an understanding of the non-Christian’s spiritual state and

depth of comprehension of their beliefs and proceed from there. Particularly in Mormonism,

there is a wide disparity of levels of indoctrination into LDS teaching, stemming from its

progressive nature of salvation.10 Those deemed unworthy to enter the temple are on the

periphery of Mormonism, while those involved in temple service have a greater knowledge and

understanding of LDS doctrine and, as is becoming increasingly more common, some degree of

experience in Mormon apologetics. One must know his opponent.

The Christian apologist/evangelist must have a firm understanding of the Mormon

worldview. The great expanse between authentic Christianity and not only Mormonism, but any

group dependent on Christianity, can only be exposed by contrasting the two views.11 This

includes revealing the inconsistencies, contradictions, far-reaching implications, and logical

fallacies of the non-Christian belief. In the setting of an evangelistic opportunity, one should

refrain from attacking the credibility of Joseph Smith and the reliability of Mormon scripture and

focus on doctrinal weaknesses and the issues surrounding a continuously evolving doctrine.12

9
Dan Story, Engaging the Closed Minded: Presenting Your Faith to the Confirmed Unbeliever (Grand
Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1999), 48
10

Ibid., 326
11

Mosser and Owen, “Mormonism,” 327

Mosser and Owen, “Mormonism,” 327

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 Conclusion

Clearly, when the beliefs of LDS and orthodox Christianity are compared, there is no

doubt that Mormonism is a merely a refined form of polytheism built upon ignorance, human

agendas, and ever-changing doctrine. Mormonism’s controversial beginnings and evolving

doctrine often border on the absurd and further distance this movement from biblical

Christianity. Its serious deviations from authentic Christian doctrine and biblical teaching cause

it to fall far outside orthodox Christianity, placing it in the realm of polytheistic cults. For a look

at the lies and deceptions perpetuated by the LDS, as seen through the eyes former upper-echelon

members, read “Mormonism Was Our Life” in The Unexpected Journey by Thom S. Rainer. For

more on apologetic evangelism focused on the true Jesus, listen to Ravi Zacharias’ historic

message at the Mormon Tabernacle, entitled “Who is Jesus: Defending Jesus Christ,” at

http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/justthinking.aspx?archive=1&pid=1676.

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 Bibliography

Brand, Chad Owen. "Is Mormonism Compatible with the Bible?" In The Apologetics Study
Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith, edited by Ted Cabal, Chad
Owen Brand, E. Ray Clendenen, et al., 39. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers,
2007.

Jackson, Kent P. "Are Mormons Christians? Presbyterians, Mormons, and the Question of
Religious Definitions." Nova Religio 4, no. 1 (2000): 57.

Mosser, Carl, and Paul Owen. "Mormonism." In To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the
Christian Worldview, edited by Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig and J. P.
Moreland, 324-349. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Story, Dan. Christianity on the Offense: Responding to the Beliefs and Assumptions of Spiritual
Seekers. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.

—. Engaging the Closed Minded: Presenting Your Faith to the Confirmed Unbeliever. Grand
Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1999.

Walker, James. "Mormonism." In The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, edited by Ed