Why Mormonism is a Cult (Galatian 1: 6~10)

Why Mormonism is a Cult (Galatian 1: 6~10) 

⁶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Intro)

1. Today, let us talk about the biggest cult in US: Mormonism. The full name is

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but usually we just call them Mormons.

Mormonism is a cult from the United States like Jehovah’s Witness.

 

2. In 1823, Joseph Smith Jr. saw a vision of an angel named Moroni and Smith said the angel directed him to a buried book written on golden plates containing the religious history of an ancient people. Smith published what he said was a translation of these plates in March 1830 as the Book of Mormon, named after Mormon the ancient prophet-historian who compiled the book. on April 6, 1830, Smith founded the Church of Christ. Smith also published Doctrīneand Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saint and Pearl of Great Price.

 

3. Mormons say Smith wrote these books by revelations and is given the same powers as the Bible. However, Smith said these golden plates were buried underground since AD 421, but he used 1000 of same phrases from the King James Version of bible for his book (Book of Mormon).

Also, Smith said the angel took the tablets back, but there are hardly any people who claimed to have actually seen the tablets, making the claims themselves not very reliable. In addition, Mormons have fixed and changed more than 2000 parts of the book compared to the first edition.

 

4. Mormons say they believe the Bible is also God’s words, like the Book of Mormon. However, because they believe and put their faith in a book other than the Bible they are clearly a cult. 

The reasons are listed below:

1.      Joseph Smith Jr. was 18 years old when he saw the golden plates, and he was 25 years old when he created Mormonism. 

2.      More importantly, the plot of the Book of Mormon is the same as Solomon Spaulding’s fantasy novel, which was published in 1812.
Mormons say the Book of Mormon is a record of Jesus’ work on the American continent from BC 2200 to AD 420. In reality, it is just a book influenced by Solomon Spaulding’s book which says Native Americans and the people of Israel have the same ancestors.

3.      The history of Mormonism constantly moving and a story of exile.

From New York to Ohio, Ohio to Illinois, Joseph Smith Jr. was killed in jail and his heir Brigham Young, 1801~1877 was ordered to get out of the state of Illinois because they did not obey the law but practiced their own doctrines.

Then he took his people to Salt Lake, Utah, 1800km from Illinois, so now their headquarters is now in Utah.

 

A) Why is Mormonism a cult?

 The initial impression of a Mormon is that they are really nice and polite; even better than most churches. We can feel a sense of difference when we see Mormon missionaries who are clean and well-dressed, and we sense also their humbleness, care and loving attitude.

Many people are attracted by this appearance, but here is the trap. Under thid surface there is false gospel and deception. Like a poisonous mushroom it is beautiful on the outside but inside it is full of poison.

1. Mormons say the Bible is not enough and give the same authority to their book, the Book of Mormon, as the Bible. In fact, they think the Book of Mormon is more important and crucial. Also, they think God is still gives us revelations (other than Jesus). This is in direct contrast with the belief of the common church (which says only the Bible and Jesus). Also, they have no evidence that the Book of Mormon is from Joseph Smith translating the golden plates.

2. Secondly, they deny the Holy Trinity as it is in the Bible. They claim God (Father God) has body and flesh so people can see him. In the Bible, God is spirit who cannot be seen with our physical eyes: John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; Luke 24:39; Colossians 1:15. The Mormon Gospel conflicts greatly with the Bible.

3. on the topic of Jesus, they deny that Jesus was with God since the beginning and he also has flesh and body like God. They believe only the Holy Spirit is God who doesn’t have a physical body.

4. For sin, they don’t accept the Original Sin but only count their own sin. Also, they claim that believing in Jesus is not enough to go to heaven and that Jesus did not complete the Gospel but just gave the chance to us.

The Bible accepts Original Sin; King David said this in Psalms:

[Pslam] 51:5

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

The Bible also said Jesus completed the Gospel and prepared everything so all we need to do to go to heaven is have faith in Jesus. For example, Jesus said on the cross “It is finished” in John 19; if Mormons are right, Jesus should have said “It is almost finished so do good until you die.” Thus, Mormonism, whose Gospel claims faith is not enough to be saved, is a cult. Other than this, there are many ironic claims they make.

Still, they claim that salvation is only in Mormonism, that they are the only perfect and true church which God has confirmed.

5. Mormons believe that Jesus will return to the United States. Smith also predicted New Zion will be built in the U.S. and that Jesus would return in February 1891, but of course it didn’t happen.

6. Mormons believe there are three heavens: the Kingdom of the Sun, the Kingdom of the Moon, and the Kingdom of the Star. The Celestial Kingdom (Kingdom of the Sun) is the highest level of heaven which will be built on the Earth.

Mormons say everyone who obeys rules and follows rituals will enter heaven, but people who live alone (who don’t get married) cannot enter Heaven.

7. Other than these, polygamy, constant revelations, and polytheism are their main pillars of the religion.

 

Conclusion)

The Bible warns us about false prophets. Matthew 24:9~11:

⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Luke 16: 16 says:

¹⁶ The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

 

We need to be alert and be careful. There is no other Gospel other than Jesus. Jesus completed the salvation we can receive so we can go to heaven. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life. only with faith in Jesus and His words can we receive salvation and enter heaven. There is no other salvation or gospel.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:15.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Nowadays there are many false prophets and cults but we need to stand firm on His word and what is in the Bible to be able to distinguish false prophets and their teachings from the true Gospel.