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Mormons
claim to be one of the fastest growing religious
groups in Britain. Mormon is the nickname for
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day
Saints. Officially they believe that they are
the restored Church on earth today - the only
church holding the authority of the priesthood
and therefore able to serve God. The church 'PR'
people have made such a good job of presenting
this message that many accept the Mormons as just
another denomination.
Mormons show concern for family life
and one evening a week is given over to a home
evening with the family. They hold regular Sunday
meetings at their 'church' buildings but these
buildings are not to be confused with the Temples
where 'sacred' ceremonies are held. Britain's
first Temple called the London Temple was dedicated
in 1958 and is situated in Lingfield, Surrey.
A second Temple, the largest outside of Salt Lake
City was opened in Chorley, Lancashire in June
1998. This is known as the Preston Temple because
in 1837 the first Mormon converts in Britain were
baptised in the River Ribble at Preston.
However, first impressions can be wrong and there
follow ten reasons why we believe that Mormons
cannot use the term Christian to apply to themselves.
Some Mormons may not agree with this statement,
however to claim to be a Christian means that
we accept certain basic facts concerning Jesus
Christ and what He taught. Yet, the writings of
the Latter-Day Saints show that these fundamental
tenets are not in Mormonism. Are we therefore
calling individuals a liar when they state that
they believe that they are Christians? No, that
is not the case. Such ones may be genuine in what
they are saying but that is not necessarily what
every Mormon has believed and it is not necessarily
what their practice shows true.
JESUS
The Jesus of Mormonism is the spirit brother of
Lucifer an angel - Teachings of Spencer W Kimball,
p.33. The Jesus of the Bible is eternal and not
a created angel - Micah 5:2. Sometimes you will
get Mormons making statements that appear to be
biblical and so confuse Christians. However, do
check what is said very carefully. For instance
the statement below made by President Hinckley
on 24 January 1997 and recorded in the Church
News may seem correct but think carefully about
the parts in bold italics.
We believe strongly in Jesus Christ. He is the
central figure of all our worship. We regard Him
as the Son of God. We regard Him as the Redeemer
of the world. We regard Him as the greatest man
who ever walked this earth.
BIRTH
The Jesus of Mormonism was begotten just like
any other man through sexual relationships - Mormon
Doctrine, Bruce McConkie, pp.546/7. The Jesus
of the Bible was begotten of the Holy Spirit -
Matthew 1:20
PRIESTHOODS
Mormonism claims to have as its authority two priesthoods,
the Aaronic and the Melchezidek. However, the Bible
clearly teaches that neither of these priesthoods
could be restored and certainly not by some of the
Apostles. Hebrews 7:18-22 and 8:13 clearly tells
us that the Aaronic Priesthood had to pass away
because it was not sufficient to forgive sins. What
does the Mormon Church know that God does not?
There is another interesting aspect to the priesthood
because of the way the church believes they received
them.
These
same keys of the kingdom held by Peter, James and
John, who served in the First presidency in the
dispensation of the meridian of time, and conferred
upon Joseph Smith and all subsequent Presidents
of the Church, are now held by [the Church President]
today. He holds this supreme authority. He holds
the right of revelation and decision for the priesthood
and for the Church." - Words of Elder Haight
on 3 April 1836 and quoted in Church News 13 March
1999.
Even if we disregard the far-fetched descriptions
of Peter, James and John there is still the major
problem that not one of them could have conferred
the priesthood on Joseph Smith because not one of
them was qualified to hold it in the first place.
The keys of the kingdom and the priesthood are two
distinct things.
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