Feb, 2018 we hit the streets of utah to ask mormons if theyre christian. The opening song, hello, where missionary trainees practice their doorbellringing skills is a hoot, and another number, where the villagers confuse mormon history with star wars, among other things, will make your sides hurt. The writers of the book of mormon musical focus their story on two groups of people, but it is clear from the text that they, themselves, are outsiders of both. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up. In the first vision story, joseph smith claimed that jesus and god the father. May 27, 2002 some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith.
It is true that smith is central to mormons view of reality, but it is also true that jesus christ is central to the book of mormon. The book of mormon does not contain the information a mormon needs to be exalted or to have eternal life. We believe in god, the eternal father, and in his son, jesus christ, and in the holy ghost. Lds are key lds teachings derived from the book of mormon. And when ye shall receive these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if these things are not true. These plates were supposedly written 1,400 years ago and detailed the history of the jewish nephites from 600 b. A former member looks at the mormon church today, latayne c. Mar 02, 20 ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. Mormons believe that returning to god requires following the example of jesus christ, and accepting his atonement through ordinances such as baptism. They have a unique view of cosmology and believe that all people are spiritchildren of god. Aug 26, 20 the book of mormon claims that jesus visited the nephites in the americas several separate times, destroyed whole cities of the wicked, preached to the righteous, and formed a church for them.
A quick christian guide to the mormon holy book anderson, ross on. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. The mormon view of jesus christ mormonism, the mormon. Why isnt the book of mormon accepted by many christians. I applaud traditional view lds apologists who do work to attempt to show that christian doctrine was known anciently, to show precedent for the book of mormon. In addition, the very content of the book of mormon makes it impossible to accept it as divine revelation. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 170,933 views 2. While kimballs book is not scripture, he did utilize his churchs scriptures. The bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation duration. Mar 09, 2020 the book of mormon does not contain the information a mormon needs to be exalted or to have eternal life. Actually, much of the christian world could accept the book of mormon because joseph smith filled it with standard and highly orthodox and credal christian theology. The mormon view of jesus christ the bottomline guide to. Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of mormon.
Since we do not try to judge each individual mormon, we prefer to frame the question as, is mormonism christian. Though we are called to pray always 1 thessalonians 5. Scott recently spoke with the christian post about mitt romney, the book of mormon musical and the importance of educating christians on mormon beliefs. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 7390. A few members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who have seen this musical. Ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is crude, offensive and shocking.
Book of mormon the book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, vol. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. An angel gave the book to him on a gold tablet which he copied and included about of the new and old testament in the form. That the man of god may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Atoned only for adams transgression by sweating blood in gethsemane. Mormons believe in the bible, as well as other books of scripture, such as the book of mormon. Anachronistic christian doctrine in the book of mormon. The book of mormon approach strongly endorses and even provides an otherwise missing explanation for the persistent ideas of signs and covenants associated with baptism in the christian tradition.
Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle ongoing doctrinal disputes among contemporary christian denominations and to create a single shared theology. Early mormonism and the magic world view signature books, 1987 received best book awards from mha and jwha, as well. Another testament of jesus christ which claims to be a record of gods. This is in strict contrast to the biblical teaching that he is god in flesh john 1. How are the beliefs of mormons different from the beliefs of christians. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe ministries. Tongan r ather than providing evidence to support the book of mormon, mormons often ask christians to read the book of mormon and pray to see whether or not it is from god. Early christian views of god were more personal, more anthropomorphic, and.
Traditional christian interpretation of this verse is that the other sheep are the gentiles. Most christian apologists see mormonism as a christian heresy that takes core aspects of christian doctrine but twists them beyond recognition by adding in new teachings that smith claimed to have learned when he found mormon scriptures buried in western new york. We talk of christ, we rejoice in christ, we preach of christ, we prophesy of christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their. According to smith, god the father and jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that the christian church had been corrupted and they were giving him a new revelation so that he might lead the church back into the truth.
Episcopal church statement on the lds or mormon church. Joseph smith stated, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than any other book. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. In addition, the mormon scriptures have significant problems. Mormonism teaches that god the father has a body of flesh and bones d. Reviews of the book of mormon musical have been all over the entertainment media in the past few weeks. From then on, the prophets in america leading a branch of israelites predict the coming of christ, and also teach of his redeeming grace. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. The book of mormon is indeed another testament of jesus christ, as its title. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. We hit the streets of utah to ask mormons if theyre christian. A mormon who may not like the difficult teachings of the miracle of forgiveness might argue it is not one of the four official standard words. Mormons claim the book of mormon is the most perfect book ever written. An interesting question that arises when studying the question of whether mormonism is christian is whether mormons view other christian groups as christian.
Furthermore, even if we were talking about genuine christian groups, no single group has the authority to add additional books to the sacred canon of scriptures, whether it. The only thing real about the bom is, it is an actual book by definition, yes. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. The book of mormon teaches that christs sacrifice was infinite and eternal. Accurate all scripture is given by inspiration of god, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It is an interesting paradox that those so anxious to label us a nonchristian cult are offended by the book of mormon because it is so christcenteredin their view, anachronistically so on this latter issue, see the essay of kent p. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people. What is a biblical perspective on the book of mormon. You may be wondering why a christian would go to see such a thing, but yeeees changing the subject in the same manner as a mormon asked why joseph smith wouldnt let anyone else see the original golden plates on which the book of mormon was allegedly. Mormons claim the book of mormon is the most perfect book. Why mormonism is not christianity the issue of christology. What my friend experienced is similar to the mormon plea to pray about the book of mormon. Mcconkie, a comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional teachings on the doctrines of salvation, in the book of mormon. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional.
However, the contents of the book have always been denied as divine by the entire christian world. Understanding christian baptism through the book of mormon. One passage says that the book of mormon shall establish the truth of the bible and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the lamb of god is the son of the eternal father, and the savior of the world. Regardless of this, a creedal christian ought not to have a problem with one god consisting of more than one person. Mar 05, 2012 ever hear the old wise but true adage. Apr 10, 20 rarely does a show have people rolling in the aisles, but book of mormon does. Articles of faith 1 mormons do not believe in the traditional doctrine of the trinity precisely because thats what it is tradition. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. The book of mormon claims to be a translation of ancient writing on gold plates. Religious studies center, brigham young university. Book of mormon authors did not see baptism as an infusion of grace from god but rather as a converts witness to god of a covenant or promise made. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. Book of mormons resembles the book of quran in the muslim religion as its writing is about the same. We understand the mormon view on this verse, because this verse is copied word for word in iii nephi 15.
Josiah priest was a friend to oliver cowdery and published a book in 1827 called a view of the expected christian millennium. These include endowments, celestial marriage, and specific tithing. Rarely does a show have people rolling in the aisles, but book of mormon does. The book of mormon is said to have been discovered and translated by the mormon prophet joseph smith in the early 1800s. Mohammad wrote the book when he was in babylon after getting kicked out of the his town before the war. Christians reject the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price in the first place because they consider the bible to be the only legitimate written, revealed word of god. But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. Catholics and protestants have long taken a dim view of various aspects of mormon theology, but the candidacy of mitt romney for president brought to the fore again the deep suspicion with which some traditional christians view the mormon faith. A quick christian guide to the mormon holy book kindle edition by anderson, ross. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. Mormon apostle orson pratt wrote in 1851, the book of mormon claims to be a divinely inspired record.
Devil, the the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims. Anachronistic christian doctrine in the book of mormon lds. The book of mormon claims that jesus visited the nephites in the americas several separate times, destroyed whole cities of the wicked, preached to the righteous, and formed a church for them. Well, in context, one finds reference to the testing of ones faith by trials and temptations see verses 23, 12. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity.
Gospel insights from general authorities and religious educators. Home examining the book of mormon a christian view, may 27, 2002 april 15, 2015. The intrigue has come from the fact that latterday saints lds are so similar and yet so different. Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of. The church years brigham young university press, 1983, received the best book award from mha.
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