Years ago some Mormon missionaries asked me to read The Book of Mormon as they testified that it contained the words of truth. When I did, I expected to find scriptures about eternal marriage, exaltation to Godhood, the Telestial, Terrestial, and Celestial kingdoms, 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 The Book of Mormon is true:

“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

Mormons commonly call this manifestation the burning of the bosom; (D&C 9:8) once they receive this witness, 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 let's take a closer look at this book and determine if its fact or fiction, for The Book of Mormon speaks of eternal condemnation to those that reject its words:

 "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; The Book of Mormon
 

First of all, The Book of Mormon is based on the premise that all churches were wrong, that all their creeds were an abomination in Gods sight, and that Joseph Smith was not to join any of them:

“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

Even though I am not a Catholic or a Lutheran, their creed is not an abomination in Gods sight; in fact, I found nothing in The Book of Mormon that refutes this:

“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. AMEN.” (Apostles Creed) 

So surely, The Book of Mormon gave us a creed that clearly refutes this one; or does it? Well, let's take a look:

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)

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 him name Immanuel." 2 Nephi 17:14

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

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

If this creed is such an abomination to God, why does The Book of Mormon agree with every point?  (Now remember, Joseph Smith was told not to join any of the churches of his day because their creeds such an abomination. So is it probable that Joseph Smith didn't really hear from God?)

Not only did a Personage appear to Joseph Smith and tell him that all church creeds were an abomination, but he was told: "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 has never been a time when all have been corrupt, nor have all denied Gods power: for I believe 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 a Mormon) and I know many Christian leaders that believe 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 also warns us to turn away from those that have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: (2 Tim 3:5) and the Bible also tells us 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 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 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. (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 according to The Book of Mormon, there has never been a time when all were corrupt! And the authority of the church was never really lost!

 

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

Now I believe in one true church that is made up of many denominations, but this is implying that those that follow the Bible are members of the devils church. So in other words, those that reject The Book of Mormon in favor of the Bible are said to be a member of the "whore" of all the earth and a member of Satan's church;  and that's just not possible (Mat 12:25-30): for not only do I worship the Lord Jesus Christ, but I have nothing to do with the devil;  not only have I been delivered from the power of darkness, but I have 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, the Bible teaches that every Christian that professes faith in Jesus Christ becomes a member of his own body;  for it's not a church or a priesthood that makes us a child of God, but it is 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

So in other words, those that believe in Jesus Christ are members of his church, and members of his body, and not the church of the devil!

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: “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 13:26-27; that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell."  1 Nephi 14:3

As I pondered this, I found it incredible that Mormons believe the Bible has many plain and precious truths taken out of it, when there is no actual proof; and I found it just as amazing that they believe many covenants have been removed from the Bible- just because they received a witness, or a burning in their bosom! And then they turn around and tell us they believe the Bible is accurate as long as it's correctly translated, and they mislead many by telling us that the Bible contains the fullness of the gospel:

 “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

So let me ask you this: how can the Bible contain the fullness of the gospel when its said to be missing many covenants and many plain and precious truths? 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 their doctrines of eternal marriage, exaltation to godhood, or the Mormon concept of three separate kingdoms- and that makes it very incomplete.

So do we really need to seek for a manifestation, or receive a burning in the bosom to confirm that The Book of Mormon is true? Well, I don't think so. In fact, I didn't have to ask if the Bible is true, because I know its true by faith. (Hebrews 11:1-6) So I didn't have to seek for a sign, because the Bible has many signs that support it; (John 20:30-31; Mark 16:17-20) in fact, Jesus Christ said that no other sign would be given to those that seek for one, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

“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   And that is the only sign we need.
 
So how can I bear witness that 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) 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 is still there today: for the Bible tells us he 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)  And that means he never left. 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 example, Mormons say they believe the Bible as far 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 are required to affirm every doctrine of the LDS church as the truth: 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 claims to be 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).

There is one standard for truth, and I know that it's the Bible. (John 17:17) And so does Satan: for throughout the ages he has attacked the word of God! Not only has he questioned the word, (Genesis 3:1) added to the word (Gen 3:5)  twisted the word, (Mat 4:1-11)  but he he used false prophets to tell us the Bible can't be trusted. For once we doubt the word of God, he knows that 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 some Mormon concepts 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:

 

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, 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
 

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: "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;14-15

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: “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 43:10-11

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  (this clearly refutes the Mormon teaching of three separate Gods)

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: “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: “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

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

Conclusion: The  Lord our God is one God, "and 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. Not only are we told to believe in one God, (Mark 12:28-29) but we are commanded to have no other gods beside him! (Deut 5:7; So no wonder this doctrine is under attack; 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 Mormon 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 receive a witness that The Book of Mormon or Mormonism is true; for how can anyone testify that the Book of Mormon is the truth, when the Mormon church disagrees with what it says?
 

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)  (If that is true, then the Holy Ghost cannot exist)BIBLE: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

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 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: “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! Not only will He always be a Spirit, but Jesus made it clear that a spirit does not have flesh and bones; and that is why I do not bear witness that Mormonism is true;  for even The Book of Mormon says that God is a spirit and that he will be a spirit forevermore. So it appears that The Book of Mormon is nothing more than a steeping stone that leads its followers further from the truth.

 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "Each God, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family 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).

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: “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: “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: “Not everyone 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." Mat 7:21

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: “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: “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: “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: “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

BIBLE: “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 14:23

BIBLE: “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:27-28

BIBLE: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7

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 I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:29-30

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

Conclusion: There is only 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 for all eternity, but to worship HIM forever more: never to leave its gates; and that is why I testify that the teaching of Mormonism is not from God; and how can you testify that The Book of Mormon is the truth when you believe that Joseph Smith will live outside the kingdom gates? For even The Book of Mormon says all the prophets will enter into the kingdom of heaven "to go no more out."
 

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. 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: “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 subtility, 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 are going to become one flesh; but the Apostle Paul feared that as Satan beguiled Eve, we too can be corrupted from this simple 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? Is the Bible the complete word of God? Has the Bible been correctly translated? Or should we look to another book?

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 mon 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 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 outside the gates of his kingdom as a god on a distant planet? If so my friend, you have been misled.

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! For there is only one marriage in heaven: that of the Lord Jesus Christ and his church. And 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 husband (using a secret name) or anyone else, but it’s going to be Jesus Christ calling those that have been sealed by the Holy Spirit to be with him forever 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

THE BOOK OF MORMON: Has nothing to say about eternal marriage to one another, or the marriage between Jesus Christ and his church; but amazingly enough, it does speak against polygamy: “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.” Jacob 3:5

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...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 132:1-19;61
 
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 become one and 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 the truth.
 

 

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 only on earth to grow in faith and progress; we are 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: even if we reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are given a second chance after death;  faith in Jesus Christ, repentance and water baptism only helps us to enter a higher kingdom; salvation basically means exaltation to godhood, or resurrection into one of the kingdoms; all will miss hell except the sons of perdition. (D &C 76:35-43;  sons of perditions are basically those that have clearly known 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." D&C p.124 vs 1

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 they 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, 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)

THE BOOK OF MORMON:  "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection- Behold, it has been made know unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil- for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house- and these shall be cast into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection."  Alma 40:11-14

After the resurrection takes place, and we have put on immortality, The Book of Mormon teaches of endless life for those that were good, (inside the kingdom of heaven) or an endless damnation (hell) for those that were wicked. There are no second chances.

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: “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

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

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 does not mention baptism for the dead)

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  Without faith, hope and love, no one will enter any level of the kingdom of God. 

THE BOOK OF MORMON: “Believe in Christ, and be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” 2 Nephi 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: “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 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: “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 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)

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

CONCLUSION: In complete opposition to the Mormon church, The Book of Mormon tells us that we either spend eternity in the kingdom of heaven, or we spend eternity in hell, based on what we did in this life, which is called "the days of probation;" So let's let The Book of Mormon speak for itself:

"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 by 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 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 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

"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

 

 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS: "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)

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). (compare to 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 the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.358)

 

 

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: “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: “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

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: “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 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: “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: “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, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish.... 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 (again, there is no deliverance from hell)

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 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: “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 5:34-36

In contrast to the Latter-day Saint teaching that says we are all the children of God,  (with or without faith in Jesus Christ) and that all will enter at least the Telestial kingdom, the Bible teaches of a salvation that requires faith in Jesus Christ; for "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Heb 11:6

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

Without 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 will be damned. Mark 16:16
We are spiritually dead. John 5:24; 2 Cor 5:14
We are lost. 2 Corinthians 4:3
We do not have eternal life. John 5:24; Acts 16:30
We are not the children of God. John 1:11-12
Our sins are not forgiven. Colossians 2:13-14; Acts 10:43
We are not at peace with God. Romans 5:1
We are not delivered from the power of Satan. Acts 26:18
We cannot see or enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:4-16
We will taste of the second death, which is the lake of fire. Rev 20:11-15 

"For the wages of sin is death." Romans 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. (Romans 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 submit to the righteousness of God that comes by faith in Jesus Christ rather than trust in our works. (Romans 10:1-3; Romans 11:6)
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) 

TEACHING OF LATTER DAY SAINTS; Mormons do not confess the Jesus of the Bible, (2 Cor 11:4) for they believe that Jesus was created; Jesus is the first born of many spirit children; Jesus is our spirit brother; Jesus has a mother and father in heaven; Jesus has many wives; Jesus is Lucifer's (the devils) spirit brother; Jesus was not always a god, but he was the first to become exalted; Jesus is one of three gods in the godhead. (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 let's look at the promise of eternal life that comes by faith in Jesus Christ: (For a complete study on repentance, water baptism 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: “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: “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: “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

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

 

IN SUMMARY, LET'S REVIEW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SALVATION BY FAITH AND GRACE

-if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved.
-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
-we are not saved 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

 

 

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

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