MORMONISM THE BOOK OF MORMON: FACT OR FICTION By Tom Roselius   email

 

Years ago a couple of zealous missionaries asked me to read The Book of Mormon, as they testified it was the truth. When I did, I expected to find scriptures about eternal marriage, exaltation to godhood, the Celestial kingdom, and other prominent Mormon doctrines; but I didn't find any of these things; but rather I found stories of brass plates, ancient civilizations, Jesus visit to America, and an exhortation to ask if this book is true:

The Book of Mormon: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni 10:4

Mormons call this manifestation of truth the burning of the bosom; (D&C 9:8) once they receive this special feeling, (a warm feeling in their heart) not only do they believe that The Book of Mormon is true, but they no longer trust the Bible; for The Book of Mormon claims that the Bible has been intentionally changed to pervert the right way of the Lord and to lead men to hell. (1 Nephi 13:26-27; 1 Nephi 14:3) So not only does The Book of Mormon use this powerful accusation to attack the Bible, but it goes on to eternally condemn those who reject its words:

The Book of Mormon: "And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews,  and also my words, (The Book of Mormon) and the words which proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day. For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar." 2 Nephi 33:14-15 (How can we respect the words of the Jews when The Book of Mormon tells us they've been changed??)

So let's take a close look at The Book of Mormon (along with Mormonism) and determine if it's is the inspired word of God, or simply a work of fiction; for if The Book of Mormon is false, then Joseph Smith was not a prophet, but one of the biggest frauds that's lived; but let's not trust our feelings as The Book of Mormon suggests, but let's examine this book the same way we'd scrutinize a precious stone to avoid buying a fake. (Would you buy an expensive diamond based on prayer and feeling, or would you want it carefully examined??)

The Bible: "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs 28:26
 

 

ALL CHRISTIAN CREEDS ARE AN ABOMINATION

 

In 1820, a young man named Joseph Smith went to the woods to pray; as he was asking which church he should join, two "personages" appeared to him and told him not to join any:

“And which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight;" Pearl of Great Price

Ten years after this visitation, Joseph Smith published The Book of Mormon. So surely, it refutes all Christian creeds? And corrects all that was an abomination? Or does it? Well let's take a look at a famous Christian creed and see how the two compare:

Apostles Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic (universal) Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.”  

Apostles Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;"

The Book of Mormon: "But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is the same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ." Mormon 9:11-12  (Jesus and the Father are one and the same: Ether 3:14; Alma 11:27-29; Alma 11-38-39,44; See D&C 20:17-28)

Apostles Creed: "who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate;"

The Book of Mormon: "Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign- Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." 2 Nephi 17:14;  The virgin Mary "shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost."  (Alma 7:10)

Apostles Creed: "was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead."

The Book of Mormon: "And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men." Mosiah 3:10; Jesus sits on the throne on the right hand of God. (Moroni 9:26)

Apostles Creed:  "I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic (universal) Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting."

The Book of Mormon: "And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire." 3 Nephi 19:13

The Book of Mormon: "And he said unto me: Behold, there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil." 1 Nephi 14:10  (i.e. one true church)

The Book of Mormon: "O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins." Mosiah 4:2

The Book of Mormon: "If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life." Mosiah 13:35

Now remember, God appeared to Joseph Smith and told him that all Christian churches were wrong- no exceptions; and he said  that this creed was "an abomination in his sight." So even though The Book of Mormon should refute it, it doesn't, but rather it agrees with every single point; and that's just not possible! For if The Book of Mormon was truly inspired by God,  it can't agree with a creed that God loathes; but on the other hand, if this is a work of fiction, it's going to be inconsistent; and that it is, for sometimes The Book of Mormon disagrees with the Bible, and then it turns around and follows the Bible very closely; as a matter of fact, too closely; for not only does The Book of Mormon contain many Bible verses, but it has entire chapters that are copied right from the King James version; along with the same translation errors that are found in the King James Bible- and that makes it very, very suspect.

 

ALL CHRISTIAN PROFESSORS ARE CORRUPT

 

One of the most famous paintings in the Mormon church depicts Joseph Smith kneeling before two "angelic beings" as a bright light fills the air:

"When the light rested upon me, I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other: This is my Beloved Son, hear him." Pearl of Great Price.

Now this vision seems so holy and right; but the words that were spoken by the "son" were not; for what he said to Joseph Smith was an all out attack on the Christian church: for not only did he say that all Christian Creeds were an abomination in his sight, but he told Joseph Smith "that their professors were all corrupt; that they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." Pearl of Great price

Now contrary to what Joseph Smith heard, there's never been a time when all have been corrupt, nor a time when all have denied Gods power: for throughout the ages, many leaders in the church have believed in the power of God to heal, the power of God to deliver, and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives; (without being Mormons) I personally know many Christian pastors that teach  the same; not only have I been taught the commandments of God, but I love Jesus Christ with all my heart; so you see, what Joseph Smith heard is not the truth; for the Bible already told Joseph to turn away from those that have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: (2 Tim 3:5) and the Bible already told him that there would be hypocrites that honor Christ with their lips, while their hearts were far from him: “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” (Mat 15:7-9) so he didn't need a special visitation. So even though there might be some corruption in the church, there has never been a time when all have been corrupt; for Jesus promised that the gates of hell would never prevail against his church; (Matthew 16:18)  In fact, The Book of Mormon (along with D&C 7) teaches the very same thing: for it speaks of four Apostles that were given direct authority by Jesus Christ to baptize and win souls that are said to be alive today. (According to The Book of Mormon, each one is about two thousand years old and still baptizing and winning souls; 3 Nephi 12:1; 3 Nephi chapter 28; D&C section 7)  So if there are really four Apostles alive and baptizing today, that means that the authority of the church was never lost, and that all were not corrupt! And don't you think that Jesus would have used his Apostles to straighten his church out, rather than have a 14 year old start a brand new work?

 

The Christian church: the whore of all the earth

 

As I continued reading The Book of Mormon, I found another staggering claim: “And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God (Mormons) and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God (The Mormon church) belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.” 1 Nephi 14:10

From the time that Jesus walked the earth, there's only been one true church; (made of many denominations) but Mormons believe you must be baptized under their priesthood authority or you're not a member of that church. So in other words, every Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, and Presbyterian belongs to the church of the devil, the "whore" of all the earth; and every Christian believer is a member of the devils church, the one that Joseph Smith was told not to join; so according to this Mormon doctrine, each and every non Mormon belongs to the church with corrupt professors, the one with abominable creeds! And that's just not possible! (Mat 12:25-30) For not only do Christians worship the Lord Jesus Christ, but we have nothing to do with the devil; not only has every true believer been delivered from the power of darkness, but we've been translated into the kingdom of his Son as a member of the Body of Christ; (1 Cor 12:27; Colossians 1:13) In fact, every Christian that professes faith in Jesus Christ becomes a member of His body and not the church of the devil! For it's not a church or a priesthood that makes us a child of God, but it's our faith in Jesus Christ.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:26 

"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and his church."  Ephesians 5:30-32

 

 

Many parts of the Bible have been removed

 

Not only does The Book of Mormon claim that all non Mormons are a part of the devils church, but it claims that many parts of the Bible have been removed: “Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record....And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right way of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.” 1 Nephi 13:24-27

"That he might lead away the souls of men down to hell."  1 Nephi 14:3

As I pondered this, I found it alarming that Mormons believe that many plain and precious truths have been taken out of the Bible, when there is no actual proof; and I found it amazing that they believe that many covenants have been removed from the Bible- just because they received a witness, or a burning in their bosom! And then they tell us that the Bible contains the fullness of the gospel, (it can't if many truths have been removed) and they say that the Bible is accurate as long as it's correctly translated- when they don't believe that at all; for they believe the Bible has been seriously altered (not mistranslated) by the abominable church to lead men astray! 

 “The Book of Mormon is a volume of scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealing with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.” Introduction of the Book of Mormon.

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." Eighth Article of faith

So let me ask you this: how can the Bible contain the fullness of the gospel when The Book of Mormon claims that many covenants and many plain and precious truths have been removed?  And how can The Book of Mormon contain the fullness of the gospel when it is missing the most sacred doctrines of the Mormon church? For The Book of Mormon says nothing about eternal marriage, exaltation to godhood, or the Mormon concept of three separate kingdoms- and that makes it very incomplete. And where are the four Apostles from Jesus day that are still alive today? Why haven't they spoken up and set the Bible straight?

 

So how do we relate to a book that undermines the Bible, then claims to be the most correct book on earth? (Intro Book of M)   Should we just ask if this book is true, or should we make The Book of Mormon prove the Bible is flawed?! Should we seek for a sign like the burning in the bosom to make us "feel" this book is authentic? Absolutely not, for truth isn't based on a sign or a feeling, but Jesus said that truth is something discerned: the same way a real diamond is discerned from a fake. (Mat16:1-4) For example, when we see a red sky at night, He said that we don't have to ask if tomorrow will be fair weather; for we simply discern the sky; and when we see a morning sky that looks all red and gloomy, we don't need to pray for another sign to confirm that bad weather is on the way, for the sky has already spoken! (Mat 16:1-4) And that's how it is with the Bible, for the Bible has many signs that support it! (John 5:31-39; 1 John 5:9-12; John 20:30-31; Mark 16:17-20;1 John 5:8-12)  So how can we read the Bible and know that it's the truth, when the Book of Mormon tells us to seek for a sign?? For you see, once we reduce truth to a sign or a feeling, we are easily led astray; (Mat 24:24) and that's why Jesus said that no other sign would be given to those that seek for one, for the signs are already there!

"For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Mat 24:24)

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. For as Jonas was three days and nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of men be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:38-40; see Luke 16:29-31)

So how can I bear witness that The Book of Mormon is true, when those that do no longer trust the Bible! And those that do believe that the Bible has many missing parts? And believe that the Bible has been altered to lead men astray? Or how can I bear witness The Book of Mormon is true when those that reject it in favor of the Bible are said to be of the devil? (2 Nephi 33:5) And are said to be destined for hell? (1 Nephi 14:3; 2 Nephi 33:14-15) Or how can I receive a witness that The Book of Mormon is true when it claims that Jesus spent time (several weeks) in America after his resurrection, while the Bible says he spent those forty days with his disciples, (Acts 1:3) then immediately ascended to heaven, and sat down on his throne in heaven until he makes his enemies his footstool! (Acts 2:33-35) Or until the restitution of all things; (Acts 3:20-21; which means that Jesus never came to America) And how can I bear witness that The Book of Mormon is true, when it frequently disagrees with the teaching of the Mormon church? For Mormons say the Bible is accurate as long as it is "correctly translated,"  while The Book of Mormon says that the Bible can't be trusted at all. (1 Nephi 13:24-32) And how can I bear witness that The Book of Mormon is true, when those that do so are required to affirm every (official) prophetic word of the LDS church as doctrine: whether or not it disagrees with the Bible or their own Book of Mormon; for the President of the Mormon church (modern day prophet) has all authority and the one with the final say:
 
TEACHING OF THE MORMON CHURCH (LATTER DAY SAINTS): "Beware of those who would pit the dead prophets against living prophets, for the living prophets always take precedence." (Ezra Taft Benson, "14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet." Press Copy, p.5)
 
TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "When our leaders speak the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan - it is God's plan. When they point the way there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy." (Improvement Era, June 1945. p. 354).

CONCLUSION: There is one standard for truth, and I know that it's the Bible. (John 17:17) And so does the devil: for throughout the ages he has questioned the word, ("Yea, hath God said." Genesis 3:1) added to the word ("For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods;" Gen 3:5) twisted the word, ("If though be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angel charge concerning thee." Mat 4:1-11)  and used false prophets to tell us the Bible can't be trusted. For once we doubt the word of God, we are putty in his hands. So whether we hear from an angel, receive a burning of the bosom, or read something new, it must be confirmed by the Bible. For when we don't, it's a sure path to deception. So let’s look at The Book of Mormon, the teaching of the Mormon church and see how they compare to the established truth; for it's one thing to feel good about the things we believe, but another to carefully consider the facts!

"Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter Day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test." Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses. Vol 16, page 46  (And that's exactly what we're going to do)
 

ONE GOD OR MANY GODS

Mormons believe in many Gods! But they claim not to be polytheistic because they worship just one;  (Polytheistic: belief in or worship of more than one god; Merriam Webster) but even so, a belief in plural Gods is central to Mormon teaching; for not only do they believe that many will become gods, but they say that an infinite number have already passed on to this special exaltation.

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods." Joseph Smith, The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.1984 ed. (P.370)
 
TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are as distinct in persons and individualities as are any three personages in mortality."  James Talmage, Articles of faith, p.37 1984

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a God, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exists. To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three are the only Gods we worship. But in addition there is an infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods." The teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all shall be subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory, For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation."  D&C 132:20-22

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And Amulek said: yea, there is a true and living God. Now Zeezrom said: is there more than one God? And he answered no.” Alma 11:27-29

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God.” Alma 11:44; Mormon 7:7

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And he also testified that there was but one God, and that he should send his son among the people." Alma 14:5

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very eternal Father of heaven and earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Alma 11:39; Ether 3:14; 2 Nephi 31:21)

BIBLE: "Know therefore this day, and consider in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." Deut 4:39

BIBLE: "Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears." 2 Samuel 7:22

BIBLE: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

BIBLE: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I even, I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.” Isaiah 43:10

BIBLE: “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:17

BIBLE: “Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:8

BIBLE: “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.” Isaiah 45:5 

BIBLE: “Who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:21-22

BIBLE: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.... Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth." Deuteronomy 6:4-5;14

BIBLE: "Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil." 1 Kings 9:9

BIBLE: "For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens." 1 Chronicles 16:25-26

BIBLE: “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Cor 8:5
 

BIBLE: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord..... And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, though hast said the truth: for there is one God, and there is none else but he...” Mark 12:29,32

BIBLE: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

BIBLE: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6; “Now the Lord is that Spirit." 2 Cor 3:17)

BIBLE: “For there is One God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5

BIBLE: "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble."  James 2:19

BIBLE:  "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."  Matthew 19:17

BIBLE: "I and my Father are one." John 10:30

BIBLE: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7

BIBLE: "Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."  Jude 4

Conclusion: The  Lord our God is one God: "There is none like him; there is none else; I know not any;" So even though there are many that are called gods; (1 Cor 8:5) there is only one true God. So even though Mormons believe that many will progress to Gods, the Bible clearly refutes this: for there is no God that was formed before Him, and none that will be formed in the future: so no one is going to become a God. So not only does the Mormon church contradict the Bible, but it’s own Book of Mormon: and that's why I did not bear witness that either one is true.
 

 

IS GOD A SPIRIT OR DOES HE HAVE FLESH AND BONE

 

Mormons believe that many will become Gods with flesh and bone, just like their heavenly Father; so once again this is central to what they believe; for Mormons believe that God was once a man like us; through obedience he gradually progressed into a God with flesh and bones- and so can Mormons too:  For "as man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." LDS President Lorenzo Snow

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "The father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans; the Son also; but 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

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: “The immateriality of God as asserted in these declarations of sectarian faith is entirely at variance with the scriptures, and absolutely contradicted by the revelations of God's person and attributes. We affirm that to deny the materiality of God's person is to deny God; for a thing without parts has no whole, and an immaterial body cannot exist. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints proclaims against the incomprehensible God, devoid of "body parts, or passions," as a thing impossible of existence, and asserts its belief in and allegiance to the true and living God of scripture and revelation. (James Talmage: A Study of the Articles of Faith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1977. (P.48) 
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit? And ye said Yea. And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?” Alma 18:26-28

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.” Alma 31:15

BIBLE: "And the house which I built is great: for great is our God, above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?" 2 Chronicles 2:5-6  (because God is a Spirit)

BIBLE: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

BIBLE: “And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Luke 24:38
 

BIBLE: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

BIBLE: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor 3:17

BIBLE: "Who is the image of the invisible God." Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17

BIBLE: "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."  Hebrews 11:27

Conclusion: God is a Spirit! He lives inside of us! So he can't have flesh and bones! Not only is He invisible, but he is said to be a Spirit for evermore. (Alma 31:15) So even though The Book of Mormon contains some truth, (Satan always mixes in some truth) it's main purpose is to replace the Bible with a blind allegiance to the Mormon prophets: which are free to say what they want, free to write what they want, and free to call it The gospel: and that is what makes Mormonism so very, very dangerous.

 

INSIDE THE GATES OF HIS CITY, OR RULING AS A GOD ON A DISTANT PLANET

 

Eternal progression is a Mormon doctrine that teaches God was once a man like us; through obedience to the laws of his world, he gradually progressed into a god. After he married, he fathered many spirit children (without flesh and bone) that eventually were born with bodies. When the time is right, he is going to join his children on earth to live and reign with them. (D&C 76:63) Because his children can progress and do the very same thing, (and rule over their own planets) this process is repeated over and over again.

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Each God, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous families of sons and daughters; indeed, there will be no end to the increase of his own children: for each father and mother will be in a condition to multiply forever and ever. As soon as each God has begotten many millions of male and female spirits, and his Heavenly inheritance becomes too small, to comfortably accommodate his great family, he, in connection with his sons, organizes a new world, after a similar order to the one which we now inhabit, where he sends both the male and female spirits to inhabit tabernacles of flesh and bones. Thus each God forms a world for the accommodation of his own sons and daughters who are sent forth in their times and seasons, and generations to be born into the same. The inhabitants of each world are required to reverence, adore, and worship their own personal father who dwells in the Heaven which they formerly inhabited" (The Seer, p. 37 Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt).

Mormons families are eternal! They will be together forever? Well perhaps, for Joseph Smith spoke of three different worlds. One world for Mormons that go to the Telestial kingdom, (D&C 76:71) a second for those that end up on the Terrestial kingdom (D&C 76:109) and a third for those that become Celestial gods. (D&C 76:63) So that's a big problem keeping families together; but even if entire families all progress and become gods, Joseph Smith said that each god will eventually form his own world- which he will later go inhabit. (D&C 76:63) So in theory, Mormons might be scattered throughout the universe, never to see their families again.

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or the sand upon the sea....where God and Christ dwell, they cannot come." (D&C 76:109,112)

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.” Alma 8:25

BIBLE: New Jerusalem, the city of God, has walls with height, depth and width, and  "the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal." (Rev 21:16; about 1300 miles long on each face)  Not only does this city contain the throne of God and the throne of the Lamb, but it has twelve gates. The Bible says we are either going to dwell inside the gates of this city with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets “to go no more out” or we will live eternally outside its gates; so if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, he will dwell in the same city, in the same location, with all the other prophets of God making it impossible for the Mormon prophets (or anyone else) to leave the gates of the city to rule as a God on their own distant planets.

BIBLE: “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God... But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb11:10;16

BIBLE: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14

BIBLE: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, (from his throne) and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, and ye shall answer and say unto you. I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:24-29

BIBLE: “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and name written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb......And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.” Revelation 21:10-14,23-26

BIBLE: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” Revelation 3:12

BIBLE: “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev 22:1-5

BIBLE: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3

BIBLE: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of his holy city, and from the things written in this book.” Revelation 22:19

BIBLE: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:3-5

BIBLE: “And hast made us unto our God king and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10

BIBLE: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Conclusion: There is one gated city and one kingdom of God: New Jerusalem; not only does it contain the throne of Jesus Christ, but it is caught down to earth for all eternity. Inside the gates of the city we find Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and every true prophet that ever lived. It is the hope of every Bible believer to enter the gates of this city, not only to rule and reign with Christ as his bride, but to worship HIM forever more: never to leave its gates; (do you think that Jesus is going to marry his bride and then let her go away??) and that is why I testify that the teaching of Mormonism is not from God; for how can you testify that The Book of Mormon is the truth when you believe that Joseph Smith will live outside the kingdom gates? Ruling his own planet? For even The Book of Mormon tells us that all true prophets will enter the gates of the kingdom "to go no more out."
 

MARRIAGE FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY

 

Celestial marriage is a doctrine unique to the Mormon church. It is an ordinance in which a man and a woman make covenants to God and to each other and are sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity. (Wikipedia, Celestial marriage) The hope of this marriage is at the very heart of Mormonism; for only those that marry in their temple can receive the highest degree of glory in the world to come: that of exaltation to gods.

TEACHING OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; . . and if [they] abide in my covenant, . . it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world." D&C 132:19
 

The Bible also teaches of a marriage for time and all eternity; not to one another though, but a marriage between Jesus Christ and his church. A marriage that takes place inside the gates of New Jerusalem where Jesus and his bride will live together forever more. And that is why we are called to live a pure and righteous life; for Jesus is preparing a bride that is holy and without blemish; a bride that is sanctified and cleansed; a bride that is without spot or wrinkle; a bride he is going to present to himself:
 

THE BIBLE: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water of the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-32

THE BIBLE: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white." Rev 19:7

THE BIBLE: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."  Mat 25:10

THE BIBLE: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Cor 11:2-3

The Bible reveals a great and mysterious truth: Jesus Christ is going to marry a bride that will rule and reign with him, and the two will live together as husband and wife for all eternity; but as the Apostle Paul feared, some are corrupted from this truth: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said?” (Gen 3:1) Just by questioning the word of God, the serpent beguiled Eve; and without changing his methods, Satan is still at work today: Has God said? Does the Bible contain the fullness of the gospel? Or have many parts been removed? Has the Bible been correctly translated? Or should we look to The Book of Mormon: a book that says nothing about this marriage between Jesus Christ and his church!

You see, once we doubt the word of God, we allow Satan to distort and twist the truth; “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods.” Genesis 3:4-5 Do you believe that your eyes have been opened and you will become a god? married forever more? If so, your mind has been corrupted from the one true marriage that will last for time and all eternity: the marriage between Jesus Christ and his church.

THE BIBLE: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all the virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us your oil; for out lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-10

THE BIBLE: “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.” John 3:29

THE BIBLE: "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast." Matthew 9:15-16

THE BIBLE: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife and made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he saith unto me, Write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

THE BIBLE: “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king that made a marriage for his son. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.” Matthew 22:1-4

THE BIBLE: “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, a certain man made a great supper, and bade many. And sent his servants at supper time to say to them that were bidden. Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse...For I say unto you, That none of those men shall taste of my supper.” Luke 14:15-18, 24

THE BIBLE: “Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Matthew 22:8-12

THE BIBLE: “Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is he that watcheth and keepth his (wedding) garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

THE BIBLE: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4

THE BIBLE: “And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2

THE BIBLE: “And talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God: ” Rev 21:9

THE BIBLE: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, (the bride) which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” Revelation 3:12

Do you plan on entering the gates of New Jerusalem to go no more out, married to the Lord Jesus Christ? Never to leave his side? or do you plan on living together with your spouse, married forevermore? If so my friend, you have been blinded to one of the greatest truths of the Bible-the marriage between Jesus Christ and his church- and you have been sidetracked by a very clever lie.

THE BIBLE: “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us several brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. Likewise, the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her.” Matthew 22:23-28

Surely they had Jesus trapped. For they had shown with great logic that there was no resurrection. For their question caused a great dilemma: which one of the seven was going to be her husband in the resurrection? “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:29-30 Jesus could have told them that she will be married to her first husband or perhaps the last, but he didn’t; for his answer was very simple: You are mistaken! You are in error! You do not know the scriptures! For the scriptures reveal a marriage that takes place in heaven:  a marriage between the Lord Jesus Christ and his church. And the scriptures teach us that the day is coming when Jesus Christ is going to call his bride from the grave, and those that hear his voice shall come forth. (John 5:25-28) For it’s not going to be the voice of a Mormon husband (using a secret name) or anyone else, but it’s going to be Jesus Christ calling forth his bride to be with him forever and ever more.

THE BIBLE: “To him that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations...And I will give him the morning star.” Rev 2:26-28

THE BIBLE: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.” Revelation 22:17

Do you want the morning star? To be married to the Lord Jesus Christ? Well the Bible bids those that are thirsty to come; but you must understand,  there is not one scripture in The Book of Mormon that talks about this marriage, while the Bible has many. So which book contains the fullness of the gospel? Which book is missing plain and precious truth? In fact, there is no teaching by the Latter day Saints about this marriage, for they have replaced this great and wonderful truth with a false hope of eternal marriage to one another, and that is one of the most grievous doctrines taught by the Mormon church. (in years past, exaltation to godhood also required obedience to polygamy or plural marriage; but this revelation is no longer taught)

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: Joseph Smith prophesied that a man may marry as many virgins as he wants without committing adultery: "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines—Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter. Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." D&C 132:1-19
 
TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity, or non-essential, to the salvation or exaltation of mankind. In other words, some of the Saints have said, and believe, that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for time and eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could with more than one. I want here to enter my solemn protest against this idea, for I know it is false." Preaching of Joseph Smith: Journal of Discourses volume 20 p 28

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: Not only did Joseph Smith speak of plural marriage to reach the highest level in the Celestial kingdom, Brigham Young declared that same thing:  "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy" (Journal of Discourses 11:268).

Currently, the practice of plural marriage is illegal and preached against in the Mormon church; those that practice it are excommunicated;  but it appears it is only a matter of time before this practice begins again:  "Obviously the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millennium." Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p 578
 

Conclusion: The Bible teaches of a marriage for time and all eternity; not to one another, but a marriage between Jesus Christ and his church. A marriage that takes place inside the gates of New Jerusalem where Jesus and his bride will live forever more; but I fear, as the serpent beguiled Eve, deception has replaced this truth: and that is why I do not bear witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet and do not bear witness that the Book of Mormon is true: for the Mormon church has replaced the truth of this great marriage with a false hope of godhood, and a false hope of eternal marriage, for those that marry in their temple. 
 

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ..” 2 Cor 11:2-3

 

Mormons, or those that belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, believe that we all had a pre-mortal existence: “We all once lived in the presence of God the eternal father. In the world before, you were a spirit child of his. With this divine parentage, your destiny, through righteous living, is to become like your Father in Heaven and return to his presence” (Mormon Purpose of Life Pamphlet)
 
TEACHING OF THE MORMON CHURCH: "In your life before birth, before the earth was created God presented a plan to his children for their advancement. You were free to accept or reject this plan of salvation. Those spirit children who accepted his plan were given the opportunity to live on earth; those who rejected his plan were not privileged to enter mortality.” (Mormon Purpose of Life Pamphlet).

So in other words, we are all the children of God because we pre-existed. (whether we believe in Jesus Christ or not) We are here on earth to grow in faith and progress; we are basically waiting to return to our heavenly father and mother to find out which one of the three kingdoms we will enter: Telestial, Terrestial, or Celestial; so even if we reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will still enter one of these kingdoms. Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance and water baptism only helps us to enter a higher kingdom;  individual salvation basically means exaltation to godhood, or resurrection into one of the kingdoms. According to the Mormon teaching, all will miss hell except the sons of perdition. (D &C 76:35-43; the sons of perditions are basically those that have clearly knew the teaching of the Mormon church and then rejected it; DC 76:32-38)

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: Salvation is twofold: General- which comes to all men irrespective of a belief (in this life) in Christ- And individual-that which man merits through his own acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. (Mormon Doctrine, p. 669) 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS:  The Telestial Kingdom is the lowest degree of glory attainable, and is reserved for those who have willfully rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ; they are liars, adulterers, sorcerers, and whoremongers and they fail to repent of these sins in mortality. (After they die, they are given another chance to repent) They are thrust down to hell and are not redeemed until the last resurrection, at which time they enter the Telestial Kingdom. These people are unable to be in the presence of Jesus Christ or God the Father. (D&C 76:81-85, 98-106).
 
TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: The Terrestial Kingdom is saved for those who lived honorable lives on Earth but were blinded by the "craftiness" of men; they died without law; they received not the testimony of Jesus Christ in the flesh (after death they receive it) and were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. They are the spirits that Jesus preached the gospel to them while in spirit prison; These people receive the presence of the Son, but not the Fullness of the Father. (D&C 76:72-74, 79).
 
TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS:  The highest degree of glory is the Celestial Kingdom. This kingdom is reserved for those who received the testimony of Jesus, believed in his name and were baptized by those holding proper authority. Entrance into this Kingdom requires a temple marriage and sealing; those that hope to enter the Celestial kingdom must bear witness that The Book of Mormon is from God, and  must accept the teaching of the Mormon church; they must also receive Joseph Smith as a prophet of God; these people are able to dwell in the presence of both God the Father and Jesus Christ for all eternity. They will become Gods with all the power and glory that the Father possesses and will eventually rule over their own planet. D&C 76:50-70; The seer, Orson Pratt; p 37)

 

“The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.” (Introduction to The Book of Mormon)

So surely the Mormon plan of salvation is found in The Book of Mormon: for Mormons promote this book, they bear witness of this book, and they testify that it's true. Well  amazingly enough it isn't! For the Mormon plan is actually derived from another book called Doctrines and Covenants; (D&C) a book that contains the personal revelations of Joseph Smith. So unbelievably, the Mormon plan of salvation has nothing to do with The Book of Mormon, and nothing to do with the Bible, for the Mormon plan is based on a collection of visions and prophesies that were "given" to their prophet Joseph Smith!

Well surely The Book of Mormon agrees with the Mormon plan of salvation, for it "outlines the plan of salvation" and tells us what we must do to gain eternal life in the life to come. Well actually it doesn't; in fact The Book of Mormon actually contradicts the Mormon plan of salvation, so let's take a closer look: 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: After we die, our spirits go to paradise if we were good, or outer darkness if we were evil;  we remain in one of these states until the resurrection; After the resurrection, we either go from paradise to the kingdom, or we go directly from outer darkness right into hell; that's because our destiny is determined by what we did in this life (called probation) so after we die, there are no second chances!  for there is no Telestial Kingdom where liars, adulterers, sorcerers, and whoremongers are eventually allowed to enter: and no Terrestial Kingdom where people repent and accept Christ after death; in fact there is just one kingdom and one eternal hell that is taught in The Book of Mormon.

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Wherefore they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so the kingdom of God must be filthy also. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must be needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; where the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out (into the awful hell) because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits.” 1 Nephi 15:33-36
                                                                          

                                                                       

                                                                                NO SECOND CHANCES

 

In complete opposition to the Mormon church, The Book of Mormon bases our eternal destiny on what we did in this life, which it calls "the days of probation:" for "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;"  and those that sought to do wickedly in the days of their probation "must be cast off forever." So in other words, after we die we do not get another chance to hear the Mormon gospel or repent! So let's let The Book of Mormon speak for itself:

The Book of Mormon: "Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked."  Alma 34:31-35 

The Book of Mormon: "And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which was spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death: nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state: a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead."  Alma 12:24 "Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation (your life on earth) then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever." 1 Nephi 10:21 

The Book of Mormon: "And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divided the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end. And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal? And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; where, they must be brought to stand before God to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; Wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; Wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from the tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen." 1 Nephi 15:28-36

 

 

                                                       NO FILTHY OR UNCLEAN WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM

 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain in his filthiness. And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received. And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; east to be entreated, full of patience and long-sufferings; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments were spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.” Alma 7:21-25

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil? I say unto you, he will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white, yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him it has been spoke of by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins. And now I ask you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness. Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white? I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.” Alma 5:19-25

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white? I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have a place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the devil. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Behold are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, he knoweth not when the time come; for such an one is not found guiltless. And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions? Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent, or he cannot be saved! Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!” Alma 5:24-32 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And I say unto you again, that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him, Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which is in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.” Alma 11:37-40

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” Mosiah 27:25-26

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil- If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation.” 3 Nephi 26:4-5

                                                 

                                                             MUST REPENT IN THIS LIFE TO ENTER KINGDOM

 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.” 2 Nephi 9:23  

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation. being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation- having gone according  to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended toward them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and they would not repent. ” Mosiah 16:10-12 (this endless damnation takes place after the resurrection, after we put on immortality)

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid to the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire. And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy one under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church; Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.” Alma 5:52-56

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Now, I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bring you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins, and into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism. And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life.” Alma 7:14-16

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye be saved if ye have no hope. And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.” Moroni 10:21-22 
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And whosoever believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whosoever believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.... And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as little children, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again, I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto you unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.” 3 Nephi 3:33-40   (For there are no second chances)

 

                                                                             CONCLUSION

 

What a dilemma: Mormons have two plans of salvation that are completely different! And the one they teach is not even found in The Book of Mormon!

So Let's review the Mormon plan that's found in the Doctrines and Covenants and compare it to their own Book of Mormon:

Mormons teach of a general salvation that comes to all men: The Book of Mormon does not; for it says that all are doomed to hell without faith, baptism and good works.

Mormons teach of a Telestial kingdom that is entered by liars, adulterers, sorcerers, whoremongers and by those that willfully reject the gospel of Jesus Christ; after death, they are given another chance to hear the truth and repent: The Book of Mormon does not; in fact, it says that all liars, adulterers, and unbelievers will never enter into the kingdom. It clearly says there are no second chances.

Mormons teach of a Terestial kingdom that is entered by those that lived honorable lives on earth, but were blinded by the craftiness of men; they don't receive the testimony of Jesus until they die: The Book of Mormon does not; in fact, it teaches that without perfect faith in this life, and perfect living, hell is your final destination.

Mormons teach of a Celestial kingdom that is entered by those that received the testimony of Jesus and were baptized in the Mormon church; this kingdom requires a temple marriage, and a confession that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the Mormon church is the one true church; those that enter this kingdom are the ones that become a god: The Book of Mormon does not; in fact, it says nothing about three separate kingdoms; it says nothing about temple marriage, or anyone becoming a God.

Mormons say that virtually all will enter one of the kingdoms after the final resurrection; The Book of Mormon does not;  for after we die, it says that our spirits go to paradise if we were good, or they go to outer darkness if we were evil; we remain in one of these states until the resurrection; After the resurrection, we either enter the kingdom of heaven, or we are resurrected to an eternal fiery hell.

Mormons teach of a hell that is only for the sons of perdition: The Book of Mormon does not! In fact, it teaches of a hell that is for all unbelievers and those that were wicked in this life. So let's look at The Book of Mormon- for it teaches no second chances.

 

"In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no hell. All will find a measure of salvation." (Evidences and Reconciliations, p.216LDS Apostle John Widtsoe)

What an amazing statement! Not only does this conflict with the Bible, but their own Book of Mormon. So let's take a closer look.

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS:  Mormons speak of hell as the place in the post-mortal spirit world that is for those who have "died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets" (D&C 138:32). This is a temporary state in which spirits will be taught the gospel of the Mormon church and have the opportunity to repent and accept ordinances of salvation that are performed for them in temples (see D&C 138:30-35). Those who accept the gospel may dwell in paradise until the Resurrection. After they are resurrected and judged, they will receive the degree of glory of which they are worthy. Those who choose not to repent but who are not sons of perdition will remain in spirit prison until the end of the Millennium, when they will be freed from hell and punishment and be resurrected to a telestial glory  (D&C 76:81-85; see Alma 40:14)
 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power— They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come— Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels— And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power. Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made." (Doctrines and Covenants 76:31-39)
 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS:  The word hell is also used in reference to outer darkness, which is the place the devil, his angels and the sons of perdition reside. (see D&C 29:36-38; D&C 76:28-33). Sons of perdition are those who receive "no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come---having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame" (D&C 76:34-35; see also D&C 76:31-33, D&C 76:36-37). Such individuals will not inherit a place in any kingdom of glory; for them the conditions of hell remains. (see D&C 76:38; D&C 88:24, D&C 88:32).

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: The "sons of perdition" are those who had a  knowledge of the truth, then turned from it and committed the "sin unto death." In other words, they were members of the Mormon Church that had known the truth with such clarity that there was no doubt in their minds about the truthfulness of the Mormon gospel: "Before a man can sink to this bitterness of soul, he must first know and understand the truth with a clearness of vision wherein there is no doubt" (Joseph Smith; Doctrine of Salvation 1:49) Joseph Smith taught that to become a son of perdition, a person must "have the heavens opened unto him, and know God....He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it." (Teachings of Joseph Smith, p.358)

THE BIBLE: "And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God; and the books were opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to his works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev 20:12-15

 

In sharp contrast to the teaching of the Mormon church, The Book of Mormon speaks of a hell that has no end: a hell from which there is no return; a hell which is the final state of men; a hell that is based on the days of our probation or what we did in this life; a hell that is for all non Mormons; a hell that is for those that didn't repent or or submit to water baptism, a hell that is for those that didn't endure to the end; a hell that is for the rich, the liars, or those that did not have faith; a hell which is called the second death.

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none- until he grasps them with his awful chains from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torments. 2 Nephi 28:18-23

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned.”  2 Nephi 9:24

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “They shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. And if they be evil... into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; there they have drunk damnation to their own souls... and their torment is as a like of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever.” Mosiah 3:24-27

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "Wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; Wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken." 1 Nephi 28-34-35

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation. being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation." Mosiah 16:11

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me. And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their redeemer; but they would not be redeemed. And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Mosiah 26:25-27 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “That awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes.” Alma 54:7

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell.” 2 Nephi 28:15

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil, which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his kingdom.” 2 Nephi 2:29

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.” 1 Nephi 15:28-29  (see addendum for additional scriptures on hell)

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SALVATION

The Mormons have a plan! The Book of Mormon has a plan! And so does the Bible, and they're all completely different. So which one are you going to trust? Well, you can put your trust in the visions of a man called Joseph Smith, or you can trust the one that died for you on the cross; for he spoke of a salvation that's never ever changed:  Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins; without faith and trust in Him, you are eternally condemned. Now you must admit, that's in sharp contrast to Mormon teaching that says that all are saved the moment we enter this earth; and that all will enter at least the Telestial kingdom whether we believe in Jesus or not; so let's look at a couple scriptures that clearly make this point:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

“But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

No matter what Mormons teach, there is no "general salvation." For without a saving faith in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us:

We will perish. John 3:15-16
We are condemned. John 3:18
The wrath of God abides on us. John 3:36
We are damned. Mark 16:16
We are spiritually dead. John 5:24; we are lost. 2 Cor 4:3                                
We will miss out on eternal life. John 5:24; Acts 16:30
We are not the children of God. John 1:11-12
We will pay for our sins. Colossians 2:13-14
We are not at peace with God. Romans 5:1
We are under the power of Satan. Acts 26:18
We cannot see or enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:16
We will taste of the second death, which is the lake of fire. Rev 20:15 

"For the wages of sin is death." Rom 6:23; "If one died for all, then all were dead." 2 Cor 5:14

When the Bible teaches of a saving faith in Jesus Christ, there are certain things we must believe; for even the devils believe in God, and they tremble; (James 2:19) but they don't have a saving faith:

We must call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save us. (Rom 10:13-14; Acts 2:21)
We must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9; for without this confession, our faith is dead).
We must believe that Jesus is the Christ. (1 John 5:1; see Acts 2:36)
We must believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. (Romans 10:9)
We must believe that Jesus Christ is the I Am (the one and only God of the Bible) or we will die in our sins. (John 8:24; John 8:58; Ex 3:14; Isaiah 43:10-11) 
We must submit to the righteousness of God that comes by faith in Jesus Christ rather than trust in our works. (Rom 10:1-3; 11:6) 

"Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Rom 10:1-3)

Do Mormons believe in God? Yes they do, but not the God of the Bible; for Mormons believe that god was once a man, and their god is one of many, many gods. Do Mormons believe in Jesus? Yes they do, but not the Jesus of the Bible. (2 Cor 11:4) For they believe that Jesus was created; Jesus is one of three gods in the godhead, but not  the great "I am" or the one and only God Almighty. Jesus is the first born of many spirit children; Jesus is our spirit brother; Jesus is Lucifer's (the devils) spirit brother; Jesus has a mother and father in heaven; Jesus has many wives;  (DC 1:32; DC 2:210; Spencer Kimbal p. 34; Jesus The Christ p 8; Encyclopedia of Mormons p 724; Mormon Doctrine, Bruce McConkie p 192,321,516,589; Journal of Discourses 2:82)  So are Mormons saved? Well that's not for me to decide.

 

 

So let's look at the promise of eternal life that comes by faith in Jesus Christ: For the Bible speaks of a salvation that comes by grace and mercy without any works on our part. (For a complete study on repentance, works, and an entrance into the kingdom of heaven click on the link). 

THE BIBLE: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31

THE BIBLE: "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."  John 6:47

THE BIBLE: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

THE BIBLE: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from life to death."  John 5:24

THE BIBLE: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"  John 11:25-26

THE BIBLE: “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.... He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18
 
THE BIBLE: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."  1 John 5:11-12

THE BIBLE: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:69
 
THE BIBLE: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name." John 20:31

THE BIBLE: "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Acts 13:48

THE BIBLE: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should herafter believe on him to life everlasting." 1 Timothy 1:16

THE BIBLE: "For after that in the wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."  1 Corinthians 1:21

THE BIBLE: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:35

THE BIBLE: “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe. And many others signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:27-31

THE BIBLE: “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise... That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto them that call upon him, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
 

THE BIBLE: “Be it know unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38

THE BIBLE: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom 3:19

THE BIBLE: “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned by grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:1-6


THE BIBLE: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?.. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” James 2:14,26 For the faith that takes place in our hearts is dead until we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and call upon his name; For even the devils believe there is one God, and they tremble; (James 2:19) but they don’t have a saving faith.

THE BIBLE: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

THE BIBLE: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being Justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:5-8

THE BIBLE: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Rom 6:1-6

 

-if we believe (rely, trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved- if we don't trust in our own works.
-he that does not believe is condemned already
-as many as received Christ, he gave power to become the sons of God
-all that trust on his name are saved; they will be raised up in the last day
-if we believe in our hearts, and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be saved
-we must believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; we must believe Jesus is the one and only God (the I am)
-whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved
-we are saved by grace through faith and not by works, lest any man should boast
-we are justified by faith;
-we receive forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ; all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
-our righteousness comes by faith in Christ
- righteousness is imputed to those with faith in Christ; not by works
-we are justified freely by his grace
-our faith is counted for righteousness; for he justifies the ungodly
-we receive redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
-remission of sins to those that believe
-saved by mercy, not by our own works of righteousness
-being dead in our sins, he has quickened us and given us life
-he blotted out the ordinances that were against us and nailed them to the cross
-justified by grace, we are heirs of eternal life
-a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law
-those that believe in Jesus must be careful to maintain good works, for they are profitable to men
-salvation is a gift; it is not of ourselves, but is freely given to those that believe

 

Is the Book of Mormon the plain and precious truth? Was it really written to restore the fullness of the gospel, or to distract us from the Bible? Are we saved by grace “after all we can do?” or “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus?” You must decide, for these two books are clearly in opposition. Even Mormonism and The Book of Mormon do not agree: for the Mormons teach that virtually all will end up in the kingdom of heaven, while The Book of Mormon teaches that most will end up in hell.

So in the words of your own prophet I urge you: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

If you believe that Jesus died on the cross- to pay for your sins with his blood- and you believe that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved; but you must call on his name, and ask him to save you; and then confess it with your mouth: “for with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation;” Once you acknowledge that you are justified freely by faith and grace, and not by any works of righteousness, (or by any church) put the Holy Spirit to the test; see if he will not lift a burden from you and set your soul free!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life. These things I have written unto you that believe on the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:9-13

 

 "No salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.189

TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS: "He that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ"   Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312


TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS: "It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation.” Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670

THE BIBLE: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you: but that ye be perfectly jointed together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I am of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

THE BIBLE: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, (and who is Joseph Smith???) but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Cor 3:5

Were you baptized in the name of Joseph Smith? Was Joseph Smith crucified for your sins? Is it not our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us? Is Joseph Smith the way, the truth or the life? Absolutely not, so we must understand what Jesus did for those that believe as he shed his blood on the cross, whether we believe in Joseph Smith or not:

Forgave us all trespasses: “And you, being dead in your sins and the un-circumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the hand writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 (Blotting out the hand writing of ordinances: it is an acknowledgment of debt in the handwriting of the debtor; ie, our debt was canceled when it was nailed to the cross of Christ; for Christ made payment in full)

Became sin for us: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 1 Cor 5:21

Delivered for our offences: “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:23-25 (imputed: to lay the blame on Christ)

Gave us life: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.... Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not by works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:1,5-8

Gave us power to become the sons of God: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12

Delivered us from condemnation: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.” John 5:24

Purchased us with his blood: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20-28

Bought us with a price: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

Redeemed us with his blood: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

Gave himself as a ransom: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (Ransom: a substitute payment; Christ’s death on the cross paid the ransom for all that believe)

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Became a propitiation: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitation (an atoning sacrifice; gaining the favor of God) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:25-26

Atoned for our sins: “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement." Romans 5:11 (Atonement: reconciliation with God)

Saved us from wrath: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:9

Remission of sins: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43

Made peace with God: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

Died for our sins: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand: by which also are ye saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-3

Gave us eternal life: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

Conclusion:  Jesus Christ died for our sins to save us and give us eternal life; not only did he deliver us from wrath, but he atoned for our sins, made peace with God, purchased us with his blood, redeemed us by his blood, gave himself a ransom, delivered us from condemnation, became sin for us, forgave us all trespasses, and he remitted our sins, whether we believe in Joseph Smith or not: but these promises are only for those that call on the name of Jesus Christ and trust him to be their savior: for according to the Bible there is no salvation until we submit ourselves to the righteousness of God, and quit trusting in our own works:

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to the truth. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:1-4
 

 

Mormons believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. (5th Article of Faith by Joseph Smith) All male Mormons that are in good standing are ordained as priests. The priesthood is considered the legitimizing stamp by which a person performs acts in the name of God. Without the priesthood authority, acts such as water baptism, salvation, remission of sins, are not recognized by God.

TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS: "What is the Priesthood? It is nothing more or less than the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family... by which they may baptize for the remission of sins and lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and by which they can remit sin with the sanction and blessing of Almighty God. It is the same power and priesthood that was committed to the disciples of Christ while He was upon the earth... G.D., p. 173
 
TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS:  "Without that authority, the ordinances of salvation cannot be performed. Although other Christian churches have faith in Jesus and live His teachings, they have not received baptism by the proper authority to be able to receive salvation. Mormons believe the priesthood authority of God is found only in the Mormon Church."  Dear Elder: What do Mormons believe

TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS: "But who in this generation have the authority to baptize? None but those who have received authority in the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints; all other churches are entirely destitute of all authority from God; and any person who receives Baptism or the Lords supper from their hands will highly offend God, for he looks upon them as the most corrupt of all people. Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than 'the whore of Babylon.'"  The Seer p 255

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized: but there  was none in the land that had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant. Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord. Now they were desirous to become even as Alma and his brethren, who had fled into the wilderness." (Mos 21:33-34)

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve)" 3 Nephi 12:1

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they might also enter into his rest. This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world." Alma 13:6-7

BIBLE: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases." Luke 9:1

BIBLE: "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.... and the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." Luke 10:1,17

After Jesus gave authority to his disciples, he gave authority to his church; for the moment He said “go ye therefore” was the moment he gave us authority to teach, to baptize and to make disciples; for all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus Christ, and he gave his church authority when he spoke these words:

BIBLE: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power (or all exousia: authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the word. Amen.” Mat 28:18-20

BIBLE: “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey who left his house, and gave authority (exousia in the Greek) to his servants, and to every man his work. And commanded the porter to watch.” Mark 13:34 (Are you a servant of Jesus Christ? If so, you have been given authority from Jesus Christ)

BIBLE: "For as many as received him, to them gave he power (exousia or authority) to become the sons of God." John 1:12

BIBLE: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Not only did Jesus verbally give us authority,  but he gave us the authority that's in his name; a name above all other names; a name that's been given all authority in heaven and earth: "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 2:8-11

BIBLE: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20  (the authority to bind or loose is for those that gather in the name of Jesus Christ, rather than an ordination or a priesthood)

BIBLE: “Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:17

BIBLE: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

BIBLE: "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part." Mark 9:38-40   (even though they were not known by the disciples or ordained by Jesus, they still worked a miracle because their authority was in his name)

BIBLE: "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it know unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:7-12 (Not even the name of Joseph Smith)

BIBLE: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:18

BIBLE: "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, And he came out the same hour." Acts 16:18

BIBLE: “And whatosever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14

BIBLE: “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

BIBLE:  "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Acts 2:21

BIBLE: "And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."  Acts 5:40-42

CONCLUSION: The authority of the believer is not found in a priesthood or a church, but the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; for it's a name above all other names: a name that saves us; a name we're baptized into; a name the devils are subject to; a name that has power to heal; and a name that gives answer to prayer, and a name that brings the very presence of Jesus Christ:

"for where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them."
 

 

 "Mormon leaders have taken a variety of positions on whether it is appropriate to worship or pray to Jesus Christ. Probably the most defining event that shaped modern LDS belief on the matter was Bruce McConkie's rebuke of BYU professor George Pace for having "adovcated gaining a special relationship with Jesus." Mormons refuse to worship Jesus Christ equally with the Father, thus refusing to give the honor and praise that he deserves." (quote from MormonWiki.org)

TEACHING OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS: Some ("holier-than- thou" students) begin to pray directly to Christ because of some special friendship they feel has been developed. In this conception a current and unwise book, (probably a book titled:‘ What it means to know Christ;’ George Pace) which advocates gaining a special relationship with Jesus, contains this sentence - quote: "Because the Saviour is our mediator, our prayers go through Christ to the Father, and the Father answers our prayers through his son." Unquote. This is plain sectarian nonsense. Our prayers are addressed to the Father, and to him only. They do not go through Christ...You have never heard the First Presidency or the Twelve...advocate this excessive zeal that calls for gaining a so called special and personal relationship with Christ...never, never at any time have they taught or endorsed the inordinate and intemperate zeal that encourages endless, sometimes day-long prayers, in order to gain a personal relationship with the Saviour...I wonder if it is not part of Lucifer's system to make people feel they are special friends of Jesus when in fact they are not following the normal and usual pattern of worship found in the true Church." (Bruce McConkie, Speech at BYU on March 2 1982)

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni 9:4 The Book of Mormon

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down and worship him, and worship Him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in no wise be cast out." 2 Nephi 25:29

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them. And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth. And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray. And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord, and their God.... And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing so white as the whiteness thereof. And Jesus said unto them, Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.” 3 Nephi 19:15-19;24-26

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And when Jesus had spoke these words he came unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again, and behold they were white, even as Jesus."  3 Nephi 19:30

Mormons frequently change their position on what their prophets and leaders have taught, so it is unclear whether or not Mormons believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and whether or not they pray in Jesus name; but let's look at what the Bible teaches about this great and wonderful truth; for the Bible is clear: we need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and love him with all of our heart.

THE BIBLE: “Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 8:42

THE BIBLE: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema." (cursed) 1 Corinthians 16:22

THE BIBLE: "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ insincerity. Amen." Ephesians 6:24

THE BIBLE: “ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:20-23

THE BIBLE: "Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints." Philemon 5

THE BIBLE: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

THE BIBLE: Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice." John 14:28

THE BIBLE: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

THE BIBLE: "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9

THE BIBLE: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:14-15

THE BIBLE: "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."  John 18:37

THE BIBLE: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."  John 15:4 (abide: continue, dwell, endure, remain)

THE BIBLE: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

THE BIBLE: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."  John 10:27-28

THE BIBLE: "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." John 14:7

THE BIBLE: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

THE BIBLE: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14

THE BIBLE: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." John 16:23

THE BIBLE: “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:50-53

THE BIBLE: “And they brought him to Jesus, and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:35-40

CONCLUSION: It's not a church or a prophet that we're commanded to love, but the Lord Jesus Christ! Do do you love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of your heart, soul, and mind? And do you love him just like he loves you? If not, you need to get to know him through his word and have a personal relationship with him; as you do, he promises to manifest himself to you in a very special way; and you won't even need to ask.

The Bible warns against deception, over and over again! So we must take heed to the Bible if we don't want to be one of the deceived; for there are many false prophets that speak evil of the truth; and there are many false prophets that pervert what the Bible says; and sad to say, they end up with many that follow.

BIBLE: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:4

BIBLE: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

BIBLE: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring up themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of; And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you; whose judgment now of a long time lingerth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

BIBLE: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in secret chambers; believe it not.” Mat 24:23-24

BIBLE: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched (deceived) you, that should should not obey the truth....Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?"  Galatians 3:1,3

BIBLE: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20-28-29

BIBLE: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

BIBLE: “And then if any man say unto you, Lo, here is Christ; or lo, he is there; believe him not. (For it is the word of God and not a special feeling that keeps us from being deceived.) For false Christ’s and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, (lead astray, cause to err) if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:21-22

BIBLE: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

BIBLE: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there shall come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

BIBLE: “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not accepted, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well be with him.... for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:4;13-15
 
BIBLE: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they are such that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18

BIBLE: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, (to lead astray by persuading words) and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim 4:1

BIBLE: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree (heart) cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20

CONCLUSION: Not only does the Bible warn against false prophets, but it says that many will be deceived. So how do we know if we are one of the deceived? Does a burning of the bosom protect us from deception? Does it mean we're not deceived? That's not what Jesus taught, for he told us to put on the whole armor of God if we want to stand against deception; not only by girding our loins “with truth,” but by taking the sword of the spirit "which is the word of God." (Eph 6:13,17) For not even signs or wonders confirm that a prophet is from God. (Mark 13:21-22) So we must take heed to the word and put a prophet to the test. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Deuteronomy 18:15-22) Does he lead us to "other gods" not found in the Bible? If so, he is a false prophet. In fact, the Bible tells us a false prophet is determined by his fruit, and not how he makes us feel. So have you ever examined the fruits (words and actions) of Joseph Smith like the Bible tells you to do? (Mat 7:16) If not, you are not doing what Jesus said: so put Joseph Smith to the test. Did he live a righteous life and bring forth good fruit? Or was it mixed with evil? Did he speak good words? Or were some of his words corrupt? Was he greedy for money or sexual satisfaction? Or did he live a blameless life? For you see, a new testament prophet is held to the highest of standards: and just like a tree, he is only allowed one kind of fruit:

“For a good tree (heart) bringeth not forth good fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:43-46

"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (greedy) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." (Mat 7:16)
 
In other words, a false prophet is going to look good on the outside, while his heart is full of greed- and he is going to lead you astray. And it might even feel good when he does!  But don't look at my words or any biased report, but study Joseph Smiths life  on your own; for his words and actions will tell you everything you need to know: for they are the fruit that identifies the tree.

 

Years ago, a Mormon missionary left me with his personal testimony: "I testify that The Book of Mormon is true. That it is the word of God... a person must do two things to find out that it is true. He or she must first read it and then he or she must pray to our heavenly Father and ask him if it is true. I promise that if they will pray sincerely that they will receive a testimony that it is true. I know that it is true! I know that the church of Jesus Christ is the true church on the earth today." (Mormon missionary)

Mormons call this bearing their testimony, and they all bear witness of the same exact thing: not only is The Book of Mormon true, but the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is the one true church on earth. Now interesting enough, the Bible also bears witness of the truth; but it doesn't bear witness of a book or a church, but it bears witness of the Lord Jesus Christ:

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, The Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name."  (John 20:31)

So if we want to bear witness of the truth, we need to bear witness of our Lord and savior; for not only did Jesus show that he was the Christ by the works he did, but he said others bore witness of him as well. So I appeal to you not to trust your feelings, but to search the scriptures with an honest heart; for they do not speak of a prophet, or bear witness of a book, but they bear witness of our great savior, The Lord Jesus Christ!

THE BIBLE: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bear witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say that ye might be saved. he was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writing, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:31-47 (believe: commit (to trust), put in trust with; pisteuo in the Greek)
 

THE BIBLE: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy might be full." 1 John 1:1-4

THE BIBLE: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bear witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say that ye might be saved. he was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writing, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:31-47 (believe: commit (to trust), put in trust with; pisteuo in the Greek)
 

THE BIBLE: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three the bear witness in the earth, The Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life. These things I have written unto you that believe on the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:7-13

Do you trust the words of Jesus?  Or do you put your trust in a prophet and a church?  Have you called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and trust him as your savior? Are you born again by the Spirit of God? When you are, all of your sins will be forgiven and you will know that you have eternal life, for the witness will be within you and you won't even need to ask. 

THE BIBLE: "And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask of him, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepth his commandments dwelleth in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."  1 John 3:19-24

I bear you my witness: I know without a shadow of a doubt that I have eternal life; for the moment I called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ he forgave my sins and the Holy Ghost came into my heart; not only am I filled with the Spirit of God, but  the Lord Jesus has healed my body and he answers my prayers; so I bear witness to you by the Holy Spirit that there is but one God and one savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the two are one and the same. Not only are these Bible scriptures plain and precious truths, but nothing has been added and nothing has been removed! And that is why I did not receive the burning of the bosom or bear witness that the Book of Mormon is true; for I already have the witness of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me and the word of God that tells me that I'm of the truth.

May the Lord Jesus Christ give you a heart that thirsts and hungers for truth; and when the Lord Jesus Christ becomes alive to you and you begin to know Him, I pray that he gives you the courage to walk away from a religion that appeals to the flesh; not only will God forgive your sins, but he will fill your heart with peace and joy and he will manifest himself to you;  once he does, you will no longer bear witness of a prophet or a book, but you will bear witness to others of your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and your love will be for Him.

"And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him!" John 14:21

 

ADDENDUM

ADDITIONAL BOOK OF MORMON SCRIPTURES ON HELL

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked." Alma 34-35
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “But O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he liseteth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment..... Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.” Mosiah 2:32,38-39

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell- yea that great pit for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting into that hell which hath no end.” 1 Nephi 14: 3-4
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at the day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father." 3 Nephi 27:16-17

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; where, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also. Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell. Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die. Wo unto them that commit whoredoms, (polygamy) for they shall be thrust down to hell. Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them... remember, to be carnally minded is death, and to be spirtually minded is life eternal.” 2 Nephi 9:30-39

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “But they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me saith the Lord.... O my brethren, hearken unto my words: arouse the faculties of your souls; shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death; and loose yourselves from the pains of hell that ye may not become angels to the devil, to be cast into that lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death.” Jacob 2:23-24; Jacob 3:11
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof. For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must need be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains. 2 Nephi 28:18

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yeah, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him: if thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou will repent of all thy sins, and will call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, thou shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.” Alma 22:15-16

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned; And these signs shall follow them that believe- in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.” Mormon: 8:23-24

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And the words which I have written.... it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man shall be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil....And if ye shall believe in Christ, ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ; and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye- for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words... and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things.... and you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words.... I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day. For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar.” 2 Nephi 33:4;10;14-15

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father-that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them. And now, this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore, because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful.... O my brethren, hearken unto my words; arouse the faculties of your souls; shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death; and loose yourselves from the pains of hell that ye may not become angels to the devil, to be cast into that lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death.” Jacob 3:5;11

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted. And now these which have once brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire.” Jacob 5:42


THE BOOK OF MORMON: “And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment, O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.” Jacob 6:10-11

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “But men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” Mosiah 3:18-19
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and waters of life freely. Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire. For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.” Alma 5:34-35
 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: "And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death, yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness. Then is the time when their torments shall be as the lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will."  Alma 12:16-17

CONCLUSION:  Even though Mormons say there is no hell, (or that hell is only for a few) The Book of Mormon does not; in fact, it teaches that hell is a very real and permanent place; that hell is for the unbelievers, adulterers, the un-repentant, the wicked, the evil, the rich, the proud, and for Christians that belonged to the abominable church; and that is why I do not bear witness that Mormonism and The Book of Mormon are the truth: for they are in complete and total opposition.

 

ADDITIONAL BIBLE SCRIPTURES ON SALVATION:

 

THE BIBLE: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he powers to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:11-12

THE BIBLE: “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.” John 2:23

THE BIBLE: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
 

THE BIBLE: “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did....and many more believed because of his own word. And said the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 5:39-42

THE BIBLE: “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:69

THE BIBLE: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

THE BIBLE: "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."  Acts 10:43

THE BIBLE: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24 (“before Abraham was, I am” John 8:58; Jesus declared himself to be God) 

THE BIBLE: “ And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48

THE BIBLE: “Preaching the Lord Jesus, And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Acts 11:21


THE BIBLE: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

THE BIBLE: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” 1 John 5:1

THE BIBLE: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15

THE BIBLE: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." 2 Cor 4:3

THE BIBLE: “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John 6:64

THE BIBLE: “For neither did his brethren believe in him.” John 7:5

THE BIBLE: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

THE BIBLE: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a school master, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:24-26

THE BIBLE: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the un-circumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Colossians 2:12-14

THE BIBLE: “He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But to us also, to whom it shall be imputed , if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:20-25

THE BIBLE: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16

THE BIBLE: “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” Galatians 3:7

THE BIBLE: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:6-7

THE BIBLE: “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved as they.” Acts 15:10-11

THE BIBLE: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

THE BIBLE: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us; Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10

THE BIBLE: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at the time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? it is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Rom 3:22