Mormonism and Christianity
I find talks and articles like this one very telling about the Church. While the Church tries hard to fit in with the body of Christ, there’s still this little problem of false teachings. And the first false teaching of Mormonism began in the grove of trees with Joseph Smith and some spirit who told him there wasn’t one single person on the face of the earth that was following God.
Hmmm.
This again is another attack against God’s word and what Jesus told us in Matthew 16:18.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The gentleman who wrote this article (Kent Jackson) told his readers that if an apostasy hadn’t happened Joseph Smith wouldn’t have had to start Mormonism. Odd…he makes it sound like Smith was put out and grudgingly did what God told him to do.
But let’s get to a section in his article that is very damning against the LDS Church on several accounts. Here in part is what this man said;
“Early Signs of Apostasy,” Ensign, December 1984, p. 9; “Possibly the best single witness of the apostasy of New Testament Christianity is the New Testament itself. The New Testament writers prophesied that apostasy would take place in the Church and that the Church in fact would be overcome by it. Just as significantly, the New Testament actually records apostasy happening as the book was being written. As time progressed, the heresies against which the Apostles contended became increasingly virulent and increasingly successful, as the record attests. Near the end of the first century, the apostolic record came to a sudden close…
God is not at its head, making that church [i.e., Christianity] – following the appearance in it of Satan – no longer the church of God. To say that Satan sits in the place of God in Christianity after the time of the apostles is not to say that all that is in it is Satanic.” – Kent P. Jackson, PhD, Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1984/12/early-signs-of-the-apostasy?lang=eng
Let’s break this down and take a good look at what Mr. Jackson said;
“Possibly the best single witness of the apostasy of New Testament Christianity is the New Testament itself.”
True. There was apostasy in the early church, just as Jesus warned His disciples there would be. But why would Mr. Jackson believe this if he thinks the Bible has been translated incorrectly?
“The New Testament writers prophesied that apostasy would take place in the Church.”
True
“…and that the Church in fact would be overcome by it.
Not true. Where does it say this in the New Testament?
“Just as significantly, the New Testament actually records apostasy happening as the book was being written.”
True. There were some who departed from the faith, just as Jesus foretold.
“As time progressed, the heresies against which the Apostles contended became increasingly virulent and increasingly successful, as the record attests.”
True and not true. The heresies didn’t put an end to the body of Christ! In fact, writers of the New Testament gave instructions on how to deal with them. Kick them out to preserve the flock. And that’s what they did.
The loudest opposition came from outside the church, not from within, thus the execution of most of the apostles and the home confinement of John the Apostle, not to mention hundreds if not thousands of believers who lost their lives for the sake of the gospel.
“Near the end of the first century, the apostolic record came to a sudden close…”
Yep. The apostles died so that would put an end to the writings. It’s kinda hard to write when you’re dead.
Let’s look at what else Mr. Jackson had to say;
“God is not at its head…”
Where is the proof that God was not at the head of the early church? You can’t make generalized statements like this without proof. Well, you can, but that’d make you a liar.
“…making that church [i.e., Christianity] – following the appearance in it of Satan – no longer the church of God.”
Proof please. Who said this anyway? Joseph Smith?
“To say that Satan sits in the place of God in Christianity after the time of the apostles is not to say that all that is in it is Satanic.”
This is not in agreement with the testimony of Joseph Smith. Well, in one of his versions of his testimony anyway. There were after all, nine versions and it’s hard to keep track.
I find it hard to accept this guy believes the last statement we’ve highlighted here. Being a professor at the Y he has a solid testimony that Christianity follows the dictates of Satan. I wasn’t a professor at BYU and I truly believed all Christians were the whores of Babylon.
Mormonism has been on a tear in the last decade or so to look more Christian to outsiders. Toning down the vocabulary is a way to appear more accepting of others but the proof is in the pudding as they say. If Mormonism believes there’s anything good in Christianity, they owe the body of Christ an apology for their past remarks.
I’m always surprised at their reaction of the Christians. Why wouldn’t the body of Christ be offended? And why wouldn’t the body of Christ come out against the blasphemy? To say that the Christians were seemingly following Satan is a pretty derogatory statement is it not?
This is going to carry on as long as the LDS Church continues to forsake Jesus and blaspheme His Holy Name. When they come around and repent of their past, then I’m sure the body of Christ will lay off on defending herself.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
1 Cor. 1:18