Reasons Starting with D
Damnation
Doctrines of Salvation 2:227; “WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DAMNED. What is damnation? It is being barred, or denied privileges of progression, because of failure to comply with law. All who fail to enter into the celestial kingdom are damned, or stopped in their progression, but they will enter into some other glory which they are entitled to receive.”
Romans 8:1-4; “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Isn’t it “odd” the Bible will always have an answer for every false teaching under the sun?
Damned, Everyone but Mormons are
Discourses of Joseph Smith, pg. 270; “—Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?…Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.”
2 Peter 3:2-5; “That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.”
All righty then. I don’t think the others were liking Smith’s idea of “righteousness”, aka polygamy.
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
3 Nephi 28:22; “And twice were they cast into a den of wild beasts; and behold they did play with the beasts as a child with a suckling lamb, and received no harm.”
Daniel 6:22; “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Hmmm…what are the odds of this really happening here on the American continent circa 34-35 AD?
Danite Behavior
They Knew the Prophet, pg. 79; “On one occasion when the mob was on us and some of the brethren did things they should not have done, such as appropriating to their own use things that did not belong to them, Joseph called us together and said that he felt to censure because of the acts of men. “Some,” he said, “are doing things that will cause the blood of the brethren to be shed.”He referred to stealing.”
1 Cor. 15:33; “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Again, here we are again with the Mormon idea of righteousness and revenge.
Danites
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 5:6; “I say to all such characters, if you come here and practice your iniquity, we will send you home quick, whenever we can catch and convict you. I wish such characters would let the boys have a chance to lay their hands on them. If men come here and do not behave themselves, they will not only find the Danites, whom they talk so much about, biting the horses’ heels, but the scoundrels will find something biting their heels.” – Salt Lake City, July 5, 1857
Matt. 5:39; “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
What can be said but Brigham Young had a temper and made it known through his sermons. Imagine sitting in the audience and listening to that one. I often wonder what my relatives must have thought…
Danites & John D. Lee
Elder John D. Lee (1812 – 1877), Danite and adopted son of Brigham Young, John D. Lee Diaries; “Punishment by death is the penalty for refusing to obey the orders of the Priesthood. I knew of many men being killed in Nauvoo by the Danites. It was then the rule that all enemies of the Prophet Joseph should be killed, and I knew of many a man who was quietly put out of the way by the orders of Joseph and his apostles while the church was there.”
Exodus 20:13; “Thou shalt not kill.”
Remember John D. Lee took the brunt end of the deal over the Mountain Meadows Massacre, giving his very life after they handed him a shovel to dig his own grave.
Darkness vs. Light
“The Quest for Spiritual Knowledge”, Liahona and Ensign, January 2007; “Oh, if I could teach you this one principle: a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that ‘leap of faith,’ as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.” —Boyd K. Packer
1 John 1:5; “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
If we’re studying scripture and historical events from the Bible to gain further insight and learn about God why would it be considered a leap of faith into the darkness? This statement is coming from a man who knows nothing about the true God of the Bible.
David Hyrum Smith to be King of Israel
History of the Church 6:253; “Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.”
Prophecy recorded March 10, 1844.
This prophecy by Smith was given when he told a number of people the child Emma was expecting would be the king of Israel. When the child was born they named him David, but as it turned out David Smith never did succeed him.
There were many meetings, discussions and not to mention deep concerns over this prophecy. People had been under the assumption that Smith’s namesake would take his place, but as you read the many personal journals of those involved it became clear they had accepted that David was favored over his elder brother Joseph.
The prophet Joseph also prophesied and taught that couples who had children after they’d been sealed in the temple would bless the oldest son after the sealing with the covenant of the father. This promise and covenant therefore fell upon the shoulders of David
In fact David died at age 60 in 1904 spending the last 27 years in an insane asylum. David was born about five months after the death of his father Joseph in June 1844.
Also see Mormon Hierarchy Origins of Power, pgs 230-232 by D. Michael Quinn.
David (King) Went to Hell & Lost His Kingdom
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 339; “A murderer, for instance, one that sheds innocent blood, cannot have forgiveness. David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.”
2 Samuel 12:13; “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
Ah, forgiveness…how sweet the sound! If David who was a man after God’s own heart would be cast to hell then what chance have any of us?
This teaching of Smith’s is another scare tactic and has no place with those who believe in the One True God who saves and delivers.
David (not) Saved from Death
D&C 132:39; “David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.”
2 Samuel 12:13; “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
It’s unbelievable the Mormons don’t believe that David went to heaven. Again their teachings are in direct conflict with the Bible.
David Unsaved for Murder
Discourses JS, pg. 62-3; “A murderer, for instance, one that sheds innocent blood, cannot have forgiveness. David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears for the murder of Uriah, but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fulness of the priesthood; and the priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.”
Ps. 51:1-4; “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Also see 2 Sam. 12:13)
Just to prove we don’t pull things out of context here is another example of how the Mormons teach that David didn’t go to heaven. David of all people, can you imagine?
Deacon
www.lds.org; “An office of the Aaronic Priesthood. A boy is normally ordained a deacon when
he is 12 years of age or older. Some of a deacon’s responsibilities are to pass the sacrament
and collect fast offerings from the members.”
1 Tim. 3:8-11; “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
Why is a twelve year old boy given a position of authority over a grown woman? Additionally, deacons must have a clear understanding of the faith that must have already been proven. What twelve year old qualifies for that?
Deacons
Deacon Must have Wife and Family
Journal of Discourses 2:89; “It is not the business of an ignorant young man, of no experience in family matters, to inquire into the circumstances of families, and know the wants of every person. … select a man who has got a family to be a Deacon, whose wife can go with him.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, October 6, 1854
Young Boys Ordained Deacons
Gospel Principles, pg 88; “A boy who has been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church and is worthy may be ordained to the office of deacon when he is twelve years old.” – 1988 edition
1 Timothy 3:8, 12; “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”
The Bible doesn’t say that a deacon must be married or have a family. The word for deacon means that man will be well studied and knows the word of the Lord.
The list of qualifications to be a deacon is quite lengthy; suffice it to say his main job is to be a servant. If he is married he must have only one wife.
Deacon in the Greek is diakonos, meaning servant.
Dead People Appear to Joseph Smith
Ensign, August 1978, pg. 12; “In addition to Moroni, the Savior himself, whose advent among the Nephites is central in the book, appeared to Joseph in the First Vision, at the time section 76 was given, and in the Kirtland Temple. (History of the Church, 1:5–7, D&C 76: 19–24; D&C 110:1–10.)
In addition to these visits, early chroniclers record other visits of the Savior. For example, Zebedee Coltrin, speaking to the School of the Prophets of the Salt Lake Stake—which included President John Taylor and other general authorities—said that the Savior had appeared during a meeting two or three weeks after the organization of the original School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio. He passed through the room without speaking, and Joseph Smith identified the holy visitor: “That is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother.”
Several other Book of Mormon personalities came in relationship to the book’s publication. Parley P. Pratt, for one, said:
“Through that young man and the ministration of holy angels to him that book came forth to the world.” (Journal of Discourses, 9:212.)
Thus, Joseph Smith was apparently aided by the ministering of angels who had been Nephites during mortality.
Elder George Q. Cannon named two of these angels as, probably, Alma and Nephi. (Journal of Discourses, 13:47.) In a later address, Elder Cannon said Joseph was visited constantly by angels, including Moroni and the heads of various dispensations, that Joseph Smith’s mind “might be fully saturated with a knowledge of the things of God, and that he might comprehend the great and holy calling that God had bestowed upon him.” (Journal of Discourses, 23:362.)… Elder Orson Pratt, in a personal letter to John Christensen of Brigham City, Utah, testified:
“The prophet often received visits from Nephi, Moroni, Peter, James, John (the beloved), John (the Baptist), Elijah, Moses, the three Nephites, etc. etc.”
Let us make no mistake. Joseph Smith’s prophetic mission and the translation of the Book of Mormon were events for which righteous beings had waited and prayed for centuries. The unseen world was close during those crucial events. Those visits of instruction and inspiration to the young Prophet, spoken of with sacred reticence by himself and his colleagues thereafter, show him to be a seer second to none in this dispensation. The words of William Taylor, brother to President John Taylor, pay a fitting tribute to this great gift of the Prophet:
“He seemed to be just as familiar with the Spirit World, and as well acquainted with the other side, as he was here.” – Robert J. Woodford
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6; “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”
One word: necromancy.
Dead People Repent
D&C 138:58-59; “The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, 59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.”
Luke 13:5; “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
How do dead people repent?
Death a Merciful Plan
Answers to Gospel Questions 4:59; “Before continuing with this discourse, let us pause and consider the expression that death comes to fulfil the “merciful plan of the great Creator.”… Many mortals do not believe that death is a merciful plan…The fall therefore was a necessary part of the plan of salvation, and Jacob speaks of it as a “merciful plan of the Creator.” Surely no one wishes to remain in mortality when he becomes old and helpless. Death comes to all as a merciful, and not a fearful thing, especially to the person who dies with the assurance of a righteous resurrection.”
Colossians 2:6-8; “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Death was never a merciful plan God intended for mankind and to teach otherwise is blasphemous.
Death to Chosen Whites when Mixes with Cursed Blacks
Journal of Discourses 10:110-111; “Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so. The nations of the earth have transgressed every law that God has given, they have changed the ordinances and broken every covenant made with the fathers, and they are like a hungry man that dreameth that he eateth, and he awaketh and behold he is empty.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, March 8, 1863
Colossians 3:8-11; “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Where in the Bible does it teach this bigoted thought? Death to the white who marries a black person? Please…
Death Rates in Utah
Marvelous Work and Wonder, pg. 384; “The Mormons are interesting from an epidemiological standpoint because their “Word of Wisdom” forbids the use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and addictive drugs. Their religion also stresses a well-balanced diet, particularly the use of wholesome grains and fruits, and moderation in the eating of meat. One could reasonably expect Mormons to experience a low incidence of and death from various cancers, similar to that observed in the Seventh-Day Adventists.”
http://www.lifeafter.org/stats2008.asp; The above claim from the Mormon Church is insidious indeed. Mormons may have a low incidence of death due to smoking and/or drinking, however the terrible truth is they hold one of the highest rate of suicide in the nation and have held onto this notorious position for decades now. In many age categories suicide is the number one cause of death whereas suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death nationwide.
In Utah suicide was the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 14 year olds from 2003 to 2007. In 2008 a teenager in Utah was committing suicide every 11 minutes. In 2009 suicide claimed its youngest victim; a little boy who was 9 years old.
Compare that with the leading cause of death in the U.S. which is heart disease.
2 Timothy 2:25-26; “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
There is always a way out! We pray daily the Mormons will know this for themselves.
Deceivers
“He Lives”, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 89″; “As one of His Apostles, authorized to bear witness of Him, I solemnly testify that I know that the Savior lives, that He is a resurrected, glorified personage of perfect love. I witness that He gave His life that we might live with Him eternally. He is our hope, our Mediator, our Redeemer.” – Richard S. Scott
Romans 3:13; “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.”
Question: Is no one else allowed to testify of Jesus because this man is “authorized”, and if so where does it say that in the Bible?
Why did Jesus give us directives to go out and preach HIS gospel if we’re not “authorized” to talk about Him? Matt. 28:18-20.
Their personage of perfect love is a created polygamist and not the One True God of the Bible. This man is authorized to speak of that “redeemer”, but he’s certainly not authorized to present Jesus in the manner he does belonging to the Mormon Church.
Deity, Adoration for not Needed
The Best of Lowell L. Bennion, Selected Writings 1928-1988: pg. 79; “Christ was as humane and man-centered as any humanist in his concern for persons, but he also loved God and shared with him his love for man. And so my loyalty to persons includes man, every man, I hope, but also Deity—the Father and the Son. They too are persons. I don’t know that they need my direct adoration and affection, but it is my simple faith that they suffer when men suffer and rejoice when men have cause to rejoice. So in a modest way, but with all my heart, I would diminish their suffering and enhance their joy.”
Psalm 95:3-6; “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”
God may not need your adoration Mr. Bennion but you certainly need to adore Him for you. The comments he made here sound contrite until you remember he also thought he is going to be a god someday.
Deity, Mormon
Mormon Doctrine of Deity, pg. 11; “First, we believe that God is a being with a body in form like man’s; that he possesses body, parts and passions; that in a word, God is an exalted, perfected man. Second, we believe in a plurality of Gods. Third, we believe that somewhere and sometime in the ages to come, through development, through enlargement, through purification until perfection is attained, man at last, may become like God—a God.” – B.H. Roberts
Genesis 3:5, 23; “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.”
1. God is spirit.
2. God has never had sex.
3. God has never been man.
4. There is only one God.
5. You will not become a god.
Deseret or Utah; Where do You Live?
Journal of Discourses 5:161; “We are the people of Deseret, she shall be no more Utah: we will have our own name.” – Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City, August 30, 1857
Where is the truth in this? If they can’t trust in the little things how can they find comfort when times are tough?
Destroyed, This Generation Is (1830)
Joseph Smith Testimony, 1:45; “He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation; which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before.”
Jeremiah 27:12-15; “I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. 13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. 15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.”
Smith “wrote” this in 1838. We can see this is a false testimony and that he plagiarized part of Jeremiah. It has been 172 years at the time of this writing from the time Smith wrote the prophecy that “this generation will be destroyed”. A generation is typically seen as 40 years.
Dietary Laws/ Raw Meat
1 Nephi 17:2; “And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.”
Exodus 12:9; “Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.”
Can you say e-coli?
Discernment or Criticism?
‘Criticism,’ Latter‑day Saint Student Association fireside in the Salt Lake Tabernacle;
“Criticism is particularly objectionable when it is directed toward Church authorities, general or local. Jude condemns those who ‘speak evil of dignities.’” (Jude 1:8.) Evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed is in a class by itself. It is one thing to depreciate a person who exercises corporate power or even government power. It is quite another thing to criticize or depreciate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.” – Dallin H. Oaks
Hebrews 4:12; “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
God’s word never fails to give us assurance! We’re told to test the spirits in 1 John 4:11, shown how the Bereans checked scriptures daily to see if what they’d been told was true in Acts 17:11 and then we have an reminder from Paul who tells us scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for reproof and instruction in 2 Timothy 3:16.
Now where in any of those examples would it tell us not to question authority? Speaking evil of anyone no matter who it is will always be wrong. Questioning their teachings is NOT speaking evil of them – there’s a HUGE difference my friends!
This is another way this church holds its members in the chains that bind them. Threats and sometimes even outright promises of damnation scare members from thinking on their own which prevents them from seeing themselves independent of their organization.
God doesn’t want us bound to anyone or anything but Jesus! We live, breathe and do for Him and none else.
Disciplinary Actions by Church
Ensign, September 1990, pg. 12; “Members sometimes ask why Church disciplinary councils are held. The purpose is threefold: to save the soul of the transgressor, to protect the innocent, and to safeguard the Church’s purity, integrity, and good name.” – Russell Ballard
Titus 2:11-14; “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
1. The Church is not the savior of man. Jesus is.
2. Who are the innocent?
3. If the Church is true then why worry about your purity?
Disciples
1 Nephi 12:8; “And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed.”
Matthew 28:16; “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.”
Oh wow, where do we begin?
The word disciple is an interesting word in the Bible! In the OT it carries a different meaning than in the NT. I’m posting part of my article on Greek and Latin words in the Book of Mormon here that describes this word and when it’s used.
Once again Joseph Smith went out of his way to confuse the Mormon people. Placing words in the wrong time and area prevents the Mormon from discovering the historical context of what God was doing and why Jesus used certain words and phrases with the people.
Here’s part of the article: lifeafter.org/greek-in-the-book-of-mormon/
I’ve pointed out the word disciples because it’s a Latin word and because of the timing in the Book of Mormon – the BC era. The word disciples can be found in the Old Testament in two places. Isaiah 8:16 and 1 Chronicles 25:8.
The transliteration for disciple is: [someone who is] taught, instructed, a learner, or used. It is # 3928 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and the Hebrew word for this is “limmud”. In rabbinic Judaism it referred to someone who was an adherent of a particular teacher. Their sole task and identity in life was that of a pupil. They were there to learn, study and eventually pass on teachings from the teacher. The existence of a disciple included question and answers, memorization, repetition and more instruction. Being a disciple was a lifetime commitment and over time through the meticulous study times they became totally devoted to the rabbi.
Smith used it incorrectly as meaning a person who is a disciple of Jesus Christ. A person cannot be a disciple of Jesus before He was born. Furthermore, this word is another example of how Smith used words in the wrong place and time to confuse the reader. The Mormon won’t have the benefit of learning about Jewish customs or rules that enhance the Christian’s understanding of the New Testament.
If Joseph Smith wanted to use the term disciple in the Greek sense of the word then he has uttered a false prophecy.
In the NT Jesus referred to the twelve as His disciples. In OT times the disciple could pick out the rabbi they wanted to follow and we see Jesus telling those He picked out to follow Him.
Following a rabbi meant leaving your family, home, career and literally everything in life to follow that teacher. Jesus’ words carried a heavy lifelong devotion and demanded a total and exclusive devotion to Him – Luke 5:27, 9:57-62.
The broader sense of the term disciples came when Jesus told the twelve to go out and make disciples of men in Matthew 28:18-20 and numerous incidents of when the Bible referred to believers as disciples. It was used 233 times in the Gospels and 28 times in the book of Acts.
Dissenters, Contend Earnestly Against
History of the Church 3:233; “Remember that whatsoever measure you mete out to others, it shall be measured to you again. We say unto you, brethren, be not afraid of your adversaries; contend earnestly against mobs, and the unlawful works of dissenters and of darkness.”
Jude 1:3-4; “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Here we have the very brother of Jesus exhorting other Christians to stand up! Notice Jude’s words; “…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith…”
In Mormonism they have it wrong. Smith is busy telling his follower to contend against those who don’t believe in the doctrines of Mormonism. It’s easy to see where their faith is placed and where their energy and time is spent. Contending against those who don’t believe your edicts is not defending God’s good news of salvation.
Jude’s words are a prophetic warning of the coming apostasy and worthy for us living today to take heed of.
Divorce Brings Damnation
Doctrines of Salvation 5:65; “If men or women who are married by the eternal covenant should violate that covenant, they will, of course, have to pay the price, which is a dreadful one, for according to the word of the Lord, they will be turned over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of their redemption, if they do not lose the exaltation itself.” – Joseph Fielding Smith
Romans 8:38-39; “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Well Mormons are subject to hell for many things in Mormonism and if this brings damnation then why was Marie Osmond given another temple recommend for her third marriage when she remarried her first husband?
It almost seems if you breathe wrong in Mormonism you’re subject to damnation.
Doctrine
Ensign, Nov. 1998, pg. 153; “”Didn’t the Prophet Joseph Smith say that this was contrary to the order of heaven to name high priests as presidents of the First Council of the Seventy?” And I said, “Well, I have understood that he did, but have you ever thought that what was contrary to the order of heaven in 1840 might not be contrary to the order of heaven in 1960?” He had not thought of that. He again was following a dead prophet, and he was forgetting that there is a living prophet today. Hence the importance of our stressing that word living.”
Hebrews 13:8-9; “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”
If you only follow the living prophet then why do you study the “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” and why do you sing songs like “Praise to the Man”?
Doctrine & Covenants
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 405; “The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of revelations, most of which were received by the Prophet Joseph Smith for the establishment and governance of the kingdom of God in the latter days. It is a standard work of the Church…Its main focus is to build up the Church of Jesus Christ and to bring people into harmony with Christ’s kingdom. It is viewed as the capstone of the Church; its companion volume, the Book of Mormon, is seen as the keystone (Benson, pp. 83-85).”
Is. 59:21; “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”
The Bible doesn’t need any help. It already points to Jesus and His kingdom and builds up the church. If the D&C is the capstone of the Church and the Book of Mormon is the cornerstone o the Church, who is Jesus?
Doctrine & Covenants, Changes in
David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, An Address to all Believers in Christ, p. 61; “When it became generally known that these important changes had been made in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, many of the brethren objected seriously to it, but they did not want to say much for the sake of peace, as it was Brother Joseph and the leaders who did it. The majority of the members – poor weak souls – thought that anything Brother Joseph would do, must be all right; so in their blindness of heart, trusting in an arm of flesh, they looked over it and were led into error.”
Isaiah 57:13; “When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.”
If the original witnesses to Mormonism left the Church isn’t that cause enough to investigate these things for yourself? We are praying all Mormons do so!
Doctrine Infallible
Divine Authority or the Question: Was Joseph Smith Sent of God, pg. 3; “If the Latter-day Saints are not what they profess to be, one thing is certain, that no one ever will be able to confute their doctrine by the scriptures; however imperfect the people may be, their doctrine is infallible. Can this be said of any other people who have existed on the eastern hemisphere during the last 1700 years? No.”
1 Corinthians 1:21; “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
This is obviously a lie. The D&C used to be the Book of Commandments which have thousands of changes made to it and the Book of Mormon having almost 4,000 changes made.
Doctrines of LDS not Inconsistent
Doctrines of Salvation 1:189; “In the plan of salvation, as it was made known through Joseph Smith to the world, there are no flaws. Each part fits perfectly and makes the whole complete. Attacks have been made from the beginning to the present, and yet every one has failed. The world has been unable to place a finger upon anything that is inconsistent, or out of harmony in the revelations to Joseph Smith, with that which has been revealed before, or predicted by the prophets and the Lord himself.”
Titus 2:7-8; “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
On the contrary thousands of people have left the Church because it does not line up with biblical Judeo-Christianity.
Doctrines of Mormonism
Repentance and coming to the Lord sums up the doctrines of Christ’s church in the summer of 1828 as we see here in Doctrine and Covenants.
D&C 10:66-68; “Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely. 67 Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church. 68 Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.”
Joseph Smith wrote in the Book of Mormon the doctrines of God are to repent, believe and be baptized. This section of the Book of Mormon was written between April to June 1829 with Oliver Cowdery acting as scribe for Smith.
3 Nephi 11:31-33; “Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. 32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Today we can see how the doctrines of “God’s church” have evolved significantly from the time of its inception. They’ve listed no less than nine doctrines essential for man’s salvation.
1. Godhead
2. Plan of Salvation
3. Atonement of Jesus Christ
4. Dispensation, Apostasy, and Restoration
5. Prophets and Revelation
6. Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
7. Ordinances and Covenants
8. Marriage and Family
9. Commandments
While Jesus gave us two commandments or ordinances to follow, these are different than doctrines.
Doctrines by definition are a group of teachings or policies taught by a group of people such as a church or government. Many churches and ministries, including Life After Ministries, have a statement of faith which are a set of doctrines.
The following items we’ve listed here are basic doctrines of Christianity. Because the body of Christ operates individually via each church and/or denomination there are no set doctrines over all. However, there are basic tenets the body of Christ does agree with even though each church is unique.
See our statement of faith here
The Doctrines of Christianity
1. Deity of Christ
2. Salvation by grace through faith
3. Resurrection of Jesus on the third day
4. Gospel of Jesus Christ
5. One God
6. Jesus paid for sins on the Cross at Calvary
Doctrine, Test the
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Sept. 2007; “I plead with you, my brothers and sisters, that if you have any doubt concerning any doctrine of this Church, that you put it to the test. Try it. Live the principle. Get on your knees and pray about it, and God will bless you with a knowledge of the truth of this work” (meeting, Paris, France, May 28, 2004).”
2 Tim. 3:16; “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Yes! Test the doctrinal teachings of the Church and the Lord will indeed bless you!
Don’t Betray the Brethren
Journal of Discourses 5:83; “…the very moment that men in this kingdom attempt to run a head or cross the path of their leaders, no matter in what respect, the moment they do this they are in danger of being injured by the wolves.” – Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, April 9, 1847
John 14:6; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The only person I follow is Christ Jesus.
It’s not any “brethren” and it’s certainly not anyone that teaches anything contrary to what God Himself tells me to do in His word.
Dress Code
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President, November 2007 Ensign; “Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants. I have visited sacrament meetings in some of the poorest places on the earth where mothers have dressed with great care in their Sunday best despite walking for miles on dusty streets and using worn-out public transportation. They bring daughters in clean and ironed dresses with hair brushed to perfection; their sons wear white shirts and ties and have missionary haircuts.”
1 Samuel 16:7; “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
How sad to put this kind of pressure upon people. After the earthquake in Haiti the Church was “bragging” that the members spent all of their potable water to wash their Sunday clothes so they could go to church. Sigh…
Dress Code
“Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament, Ensign, Nov. 2008, pg. 18; “How we dress is an important indicator of our attitude and preparation for any activity in which we will engage.” – Dallin H. Oaks
1 Timothy 2:9; “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”
In other words you can’t approach God in blue jeans and a t-shirt.
Dress Code
http://ce.byu.edu/yp/efy-programs/efy/dress-and-appearance/young-women.cfm
“BYU Dress Code…Casual Dress Clothing – The following items of clothing are considered appropriate for casual dress: Blues jeans, blue jean jackets, cargo-style pants, tennis shoes, hiking or work boots, flip-flops, causal T-shirts, and brightly colored clothing.
Adherence to these standards will be enforced; participants will not be able to check-in at the program if they are not appropriately dressed and groomed.
** BYU–Idaho’s official policy does not permit bib overalls (all styles), flip-flops, and shorts (or capris) of any length on their campus. Denim or Levi–style skirts (which are not overly faded or grubby looking) should be considered casual dress.”
“Sunday Dress Clothing – Blouses must be modest in fit, extend below the waistline, and be long enough to cover the stomach and lower back, especially when bending over or raising hands or arms. If blouses do not meet the approved length, undershirts must be worn to assure modesty. Sleeves must cover the shoulders.
Dresses and skirts must be knee length or longer. Slits in dresses and skirts must not extend above the knee. Dresses with spaghetti straps are not permitted unless a shirt or blouse is worn underneath.”
Colossians 2:20-22; “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?”
What’s the aversion to sandals or Capri’s? And why isn’t the Holy Spirit allowed to guide someone’s dress code?
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