The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to A Mormon

by Ron Rhodes

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

Copyright © 2001 by Ron Rhodes
Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97402
All rights reserved.
ISBN 0-7369-0534-0

Contents

Introduction


1. The Mormon Church Is Not the “Restored Church”
   
2. The Book of Mormon Is Man-Made
   
3. The Bible Is God’s Word and Is Trustworthy
   
4. The One True God Is an Eternal Spirit Being
   
5. The Trinity Involves Three Persons in One God
   
6. Humans Are Creatures and Never Become Gods
   
7. Jesus Is God–Not the Spirit-Brother of Lucifer
   
8. Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith, Not by Works
   
9. The Afterlife Involves Heaven and Hell–Not Three Degrees of Glory
   
10. Jesus Changed My Life Forever
    Bibliography
    Notes

Chapter 1

The Mormon Church
Is Not the “Restored Church”

One day in the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith was reading the Bible at James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” That verse suddenly came alive to him. He determined to ask God which church to join, so he went into the woods to pray. He claims his question was answered in a vision in which he encountered two personages–the Father and the Son. Smith recounts how “the Son” instructed him not to join any of the churches, for they were all wrong: “The Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) teaches that total apostasy engulfed the church soon after the death of the last apostle; therefore the “one true church” needed to be restored. This apostasy is said to be prophesied in Scripture. For instance, Acts 20:30,31 says: “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth.…So be on your guard!” (See also Acts 3:20,21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3.) Mormons claim that proper church organization, with its respective offices, was lost, along with continual revelation through God’s appointed representatives. The true gospel was also lost in its completeness from the Bible due to “designing priests” removing its “plain and precious” truths (see Galatians 1:8). Further, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods disappeared after the death of the last apostle.

Joseph Smith allegedly restored proper church organization, the true gospel, and the “eternal” priesthood. Mormons, citing Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5:6, believe the presence or absence of this priesthood (both Aaronic and Melchizedek) establishes the divinity or falsity of a professing church. Because the Mormon church exclusively has this “restored” priesthood, it alone is the one true church. All other churches of Christendom are said to be apostate.

Key Points to Remember–MormonClaims of a Restored Church

1. Total apostasy overcame the church after the death of the last apostle.

2. This apostasy involved the loss of proper church organization, the true gospel, new revelation from God’s spokesmen, and the priesthood.

3. The Mormon church is the restored church. What does the Bible say? Specifically, 1) it does not prophesy a total apostasy in the early church; 2) it does not contain promises of a restored church; 3) the priesthood belongs only to Christ, so the Mormon claim of restoring the Melchizedek priesthood is impossible. Furthermore, biblical and secular history disproves the claim that the Mormon church is the restored church. In recent years, the Mormon church has even downplayed its claim to exclusivism as the “restored” church.

The Bible does not prophesy a total apostasy in the early church. Let us consider the two primary passages

KEY POINTS

Mormons cite in support of their view–Galatians 1:6-8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

This passage records the apostle Paul’s warning against believing a different gospel. Notice that there is no indication that there would be a total apostasy of the entire church throughout the world. The local church in Galatia was the focus of these statements by the apostle Paul.

The Galatians had apparently succumbed to a gospel that added works to faith. Certain Jewish Christians, unhappy with the way Paul freely invited Gentiles to come to God, had begun to visit the churches he had established. Their purpose was to “Judaize” these Gentile believers–to persuade them that after believing in Christ they needed to take the additional step of getting circumcised. ⁴ This effectively added “law” to the “grace” Paul had been preaching. Galatians 3:1,3 says, “You foolish Galatians!…After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

Paul responded by emphasizing that any gospel that contradicted the gospel of grace already authoritatively handed down to them is to be rejected. He even held himself accountable to this standard (see Galatians 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3).

The gospel of Mormonism is one of works, which contradicts the gospel of grace taught by Paul (Ephesians 2:8,9). The Mormon gospel falls into the category of “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:8).

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Mormons say this verse speaks of an apostasy that would engulf the entire church, making a restoration imperative.

Contrary to the Mormon view, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 does not say there would be a total apostasy of the entire church. Paul was referring not to a general global apostasy but rather to a specific, distinguishable apostasy that is still to come (see 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3,4; James 5:1-8; 2 Peter 2; 3:3-6; Jude).

Eisogesis refers to reading a meaning into the text of Scripture. Exegesis refers to deriving a meaning from the text. Mormons often engage in eisogesis. Their interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is an example of this.

Second Thessalonians 2:3 is an end-time apostasy that occurs before the second coming of Christ. (Verse 1 sets the context by making specific reference to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Paul is speaking about a distinguishable apostasy headed by a distinguishable "man of lawlessness” (the Antichrist) that will take place before the distinguishable second coming of Christ at a specific point in time. The manifestation of this “man of lawlessness” in the future will be an actual historical event.

Help your Mormon acquaintance see that the particular apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 culminates in the second coming of Christ, not in the formation of the Mormon church. Remember the importance of context in discussing Scripture with Mormons.

The Bible does not contain promises of a restored church. A primary passage often cited by Mormons in this regard is Acts 3:20,21. While it is true that these verses make reference to Jesus remaining “in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets,” this passage is not referring to a restoration of the church and of the true gospel through Joseph Smith following a total apostasy.

There are several generally accepted interpretations for Acts 3:20,21. Many evangelical Christians believe the reference deals with a restoration of Israel. After all, Peter is speaking specifically to the “men of Israel” (see Acts 3:12) about the fulfillment of all the prophets had foretold (verse 18). The Jews had long expected Israel’s restoration, and this was a central theme of the Old Testament prophets (see Isaiah 40:9-11; Jeremiah 32:42-44; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Hosea 11:9-11; 14:4-7; Amos 9:11-15). Peter may well have this Jewish restoration in view here.

Other evangelical Christians take the reference to “restoration” or “restitution” more generally. These individuals believe “the restitution” follows the second coming of the Lord and deals with the consummation of the age when the Lord makes all things new (see 2 Peter 3:13).

Regardless of which interpretation is correct, Acts 3:20,21 and the surrounding context does not even hint that there would be a total apostasy of the church. This is confirmed by Jesus Himself when He said to Peter: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis added). To say the entire church went into complete apostasy after the death of the last apostle directly conflicts with this verse.

A good interpretive principle is that “Scripture interprets Scripture.” By consulting other Scriptures in the Bible and comparing them with one another, it becomes clear that there will never be a total apostasy of the entire church.

Jesus promised His followers, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Help your Mormon friend see that Jesus could not possibly be with His followers “to the end of the age” if the entire church went into complete apostasy after the death of the last apostle. In Jesus’ words we find not even a hint that the entire church would fall away from Him. His words indicate that His sustaining power would be with His followers to the very end!

The apostle Paul also indicates there would not be a total apostasy in the early church. In Ephesians 3:21 Paul said, “To him [God] be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever” (emphasis added). How could God be glorified in the church “throughout all generations” if the entire church fell into total apostasy after the death of the last apostle? Nothing would be more unglorifying to God than a totally apostate church. Further, Ephesians, especially verses 11-16, speaks of the Christian church growing to spiritual maturity, not spiritual degeneracy.

The Mormon claim of restoring the Melchizedek priesthood cannot be true because this priesthood belongs only to Christ. In Psalm 110:4 we read, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ “ This is repeated in Hebrews 5:6. Mormons believe these verses prove the Melchizedek priesthood is an eternal priesthood, and that, today, this priesthood exists only in the Mormon church.

In response, Psalm 110 is clearly a messianic psalm prophetically pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ: as king (verses 1-3), as priest (verse 4), and as a victorious warrior (verses 5-7). Hebrews 5—8 and other New Testament passages apply Psalm 110 to Christ alone, not to human pretenders to the divine priesthood. Jesus quoted Psalm 110 in demonstrating that He–as the divine Messiah–was David’s Lord (Mark 12:36).

When the text says that Christ is a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek,” it is indicating that Christ’s priesthood is permanent. As an irrevocable priest, Jesus once for all sacrificed Himself by His death on the cross (Hebrews 7:27,28; 10:10).

Mormons often cite Psalm 110:4 in arguing that the Melchizedek priesthood is for today because it is said to be an “eternal” priesthood. Point out that there is not a single example anywhere in the New Testament of a believer ever being ordained to the Melchizedek priest-hood–other than the exception of the God-man, Jesus Christ. None of the disciples or apostles were ever ordained to this priesthood. Nor is there a single command or injunction anywhere in the New Testament instructing believers to seek ordination into this priesthood.

An important passage to share with your Mormon acquaintance is Hebrews 7:23,24, which speaks of human priests prevented from continuing in office because of death, but “because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” Christ’s priesthood is eternal because He is an eternal being. His priesthood by its very nature is different than anything humans could offer. Jesus is our high priest who lives forever.

Consider the word “permanent” in Hebrews 7:24: “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priest-hood” (emphasis added). In the Greek, this word communicates the idea of untransferable. It indicates that the priesthood is unchangeable and, therefore, does not pass to a successor. Do not allow the Mormon to sidestep the teaching of this verse. Christ’s priesthood is “unchangeable” in the sense that it is without successors, intransmissible, and untransferable.

You might also want to quote Hebrews 7:11,12 to the Mormon in arguing for the passing away of the Aaronic priest-hood: “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come–one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.” Here is a clear statement from Scripture that there was a change in the priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood was done away with and replaced with something better–the priesthood of Jesus Christ, our eternal priest. This passing away of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood was symbolized by the tearing of the veil leading to the Holy of Holies in the temple at the crucifixion (see Matthew 27:51).

Be sure to point out that Mormons are not descendants of Aaron (a key requirement for the Aaronic priesthood–see Numbers 3:6-12). Moreover, the duties Mormons engage in as related to their version of the Aaronic priesthood bear no resemblance to the duties of the priesthood, including offering sacrifices, as outlined in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

History disproves the claim that the Mormon church is the restored church. By tracing the history of the Christian church, it becomes clear that the Mormon claim of a “restoration” is pure fiction. Because church history is well preserved, we have an accurate picture not only regarding the teachings of the early church, but also of the deviations from orthodoxy that took place–including Gnosticism, Arianism, and Sabellianism. If it were true that Mormonism is the “restored” church, we would certainly expect to find evidence in the first century for such unique doctrines as the plurality of gods, men becoming gods, and God the Father having once been a man. But we do not find even a hint of any of these in ancient church history.

The Mormon church has in recent years sought to downplay its exclusivism as the “restored” church. Indeed, the Mormon church has increasingly become involved with the Interfaith movement, joining with various Christian denominations in various charities. Of course, Mormons recognize that it would be very difficult for them to continue to pursue working relationships with Protestants, Catholics, and others with their historical claim that theirs is the only true church and all others are apostate. Hence, in recent years the Mormon church has softened its stance on this claim. Some Mormon leaders are now denying that Mormonism has the harsh view of orthodox Christianity for which it is known.

In order to make this denial plausible, however, Mormon scholars have had to adopt strained interpretations of founder Joseph Smith’s “only true church” statements. ¹² For example, according to the canonized version of Joseph Smith’s account of his First Vision (in which he allegedly beheld God the Father and Jesus Christ), Smith reports what he was told in response to his inquiry regarding which church he 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, that those professors were all corrupt.”

One conciliatory Mormon leader offered the following explanation of Joseph Smith’s words: “By reading the passage carefully, we find that the Lord Jesus Christ was referring only to that particular group of ministers in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s community who were quarreling about which church was true.”

Mormon revisionist argumentation fails. If the previous explanation were correct, all Joseph Smith had to do was move to a neighboring community and seek out a minister who was not corrupt. It would not have been necessary to completely “restore” the church of Jesus Christ on earth by founding the Mormon church. This is an important point to emphasize to your Mormon acquaintance.

There was no total apostasy following the death of the last apostle.

Since there was no total apostasy, there is no need for a “restored” church.

The Aaronic priesthood passed away with the coming of Christ and is never to be restored.

The Melchizedek priesthood belongs only to Jesus Christ.

History disproves the claim that the Mormon church is the restored church.

For further information on refuting the claim that the Mormon church is the “restored” church, consult Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons, pp. 41-61.

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Excerpted from The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to A Mormon By Ron Rhodes. Copyright © 2001 by Harvest House Publishers. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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