BECOMING GODS

Reason 10

LDS doctrine:
We can become gods, we need to pattern our lives after Christ, and our husbands can rule their own planet in eternity.

BECOMING A GOD
The LDS church teaches exaltation, which means we can become a god in the celestial kingdom. Just as we must obey while we are on earth to achieve the highest positions in the church, we must also obey in heaven in order to rule our own planet and become a god.

     D&C 76:50-58
...they are gods...

     D&C 132:15-23
...but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever....the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot...inherit my glory...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths-...and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory. For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

     D&C 132:29
Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.

     D&C 132:37
Abraham...Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.


When we lived with our Heavenly Father, he explained a plan for our progression. We could become like him, an exalted being...exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation. If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children. Our Heavenly Father is perfect. However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection. He glories in the fact that it is possible for his children to become like him...Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom...will receive special blessings...these are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (as if they are two separate beings)
2. They will become gods.
3. They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.
4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have-all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge..., Gospel Principles, 301-302 (1992)

"here, then, is eternal life-to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, ...by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power...to inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before..., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 221-222

...Hold out to the end, and we shall be resurrected and become like Gods, and reign in celestial kingdoms, principalities, and eternal dominions. Ibid p 531

Lorenzo Snow says: "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." Also Joseph Smith's King Follett sermon and Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage, p 390.

However, in The Bible, there is no such thing as becoming a god or even becoming like God.

PATTERN OUR LIVES AFTER CHRIST

Followers of Christ pattern their lives after the Savior to walk in the light. Elder Walter F. Gonzalez of the Presidency of the Seventy, Followers of Christ, Ensign, May 2011

Kyiv Ukraine Temple dedicatory prayer: 'We seek to pattern our lives after the life of Thy Son,' Prayer offered by President Thomas S. Monson to dedicate the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Sunday, August 29, 2010

     ldschurchtemples.com/kyiv/prayer/

RULE OUR OWN PLANET IN ETERNITY

I'm not sure if LDS believe that God lives on the planet Kolob or if he lives close to Kolob. Either way, Kolob means "the first creation" and the Mormon god lives somewhere on or around this planet. So in order to become like Him as the LDS church teaches, we must have our own planet someday.

     Abraham 3:3-9

...the name of the great one is Kolob,...there shall be another planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still; And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of the Lord's time; which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest.

The book, Mormon Doctrine, has further teaching about planets. I do not have the book, but I believe this teaching is on pages 321 and 516.

The Bible states nothing about having our own planets. I never understood how Ken was going to live on his mother's planet AND live on my planet with me and our children. Since our children would someday have their own planet with their own wives to bear their own spirit children, at what point will our children leave Ken's (and my) planet to be with their families? This was devastating for me that the LDS doctrine of "Families Can Be Together Forever" sounds great in theory, but there is no way that it is actually going to work.

     In D&C 76:95, LDS are taught to become like God and be equal to Him.

And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.
     And in D&C 88:107
And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him.

However, The Bible states that this is the very reason Satan was cast out of heaven.

     Isaiah 46:5

"To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we should be alike?"

     Isaiah 14:12-15

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Satan wanted to make himself "like the Most High" and this is exactly why he was cast out of heaven. He was trying to be like God.

Lucifer, an angel of God, in his heart wanted to be like God, and as a result was cast out of heaven. This verse would tell us that we cannot be like God, and I think it is safe to say it is wrong; a slap in God's face, to say that something that The Almighty created can be (or should want to be) equal to Him. If this was not a sin, an insult to God, He would not have cast him (Satan) out of heaven forever. ~ Bridgette & Jim Williamson, Mormons2Grace Ministry

So what is my point? I have no desire to become a goddess someday. I have no desire to become like God. He deserves all the glory and power; I do not need any nor do I want any glory or power; it's all His. I have no desire to try to be perfect like Him. I have no desire to pattern my life after Christ, as that is the very reason Satan was cast out of heaven. I have no desire for Ken to have a planet someday. And I have no desire to live on a planet someday and bear spirit children. I do have a desire to be the best Christian I can be, but by no means do I desire to try and live a perfect life as the Savior lived.

The LDS church teaches that apostates (people like me who have learned of the LDS gospel and denied it) will never receive even salvation and will live with Satan for Eternity. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 66; Journal of Discourses, Brigham Young, v 12, p 94) "If there is a despicable character on the face of the earth, it is an apostate from this church. He is a traitor who has deceived his best friends, betrayed his trust, and forfeited every principle of honor that God placed within him...They are disgraced in their own eyes. There is not much honesty within them; they have forfeited their heaven, sold their birthright, and betrayed their friends. What will the devil do with such characters? Will he have them in his kingdom? Yes, he will be obliged to, because he is an apostate himself...Yet, when apostates get to his kingdom, he will say-'I do not like you, for you are just as mean as I am. I was a traitor and a liar, and I am yet. I despise myself and every character that betrays his trust'...let apostates go."

Ouch, that hurts.

My unanswered question was:

Why would I want to be a part of a church that preaches a doctrine that we can become gods and be like Christ (the very reason Satan was cast out of heaven), and rule our own planet?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I do not want to be a part of this church, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I do not need to strive to be like God, something I will never be able to achieve, nor would I want to!

ONE WIFE

Reason 9

God's Word is unchanging; forever; always has been and always will be.
     Psalm 119:142-144
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

     Alma 41:8 in the Book of Mormon agrees with the Bible.
Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.

     D&C 56:4-5, however, disagrees with the Bible and says God's Word can change.
Wherefore I, the Lord, command and revoke, as it seemeth me good; and all this to be answered upon the heads of the rebellious, saith the Lord. Wherefore, I revoke the commandment which was given unto my servants...and give a new commandment unto my servant...

If polygamy was not okay in the Old and New Testament Times, then it was not okay in the 1800s just as it is not okay today.

     Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
     Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9 and Ephesians 5:31
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
     Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

The Bible condemns polygamy.
     1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
     1 Timothy 3:12
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
     Titus 1:6
if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

God does not change His mind. This includes monogamy.

The Book of Mormon condemns polygamy.
     Jacob 1:15
And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.
     Jacob 2:24
Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
     Jacob 3:5
Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father-that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.
     Mosiah 11:2
For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.

However, the Doctrine and Covenants commands polygamy.
     D&C 132:1
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines-
     D&C 132:37-39
Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods. David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. 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.
     D&C 132:61
And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood-if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.
          God claims to justify polygamy in these verses. I'm so confused; I cannot figure out if polygamy is condemned or commanded...

As a member, I was taught that polygamy was needed at the time it was practiced by Mormons. So many women and children were being left behind without a husband and father. Men were being sent off to wars, dying, etc. I was taught that Joseph Smith had a few wives in order to take care of them and their children who had no father.
I was also told that in the 1800s, the number of women outnumbered the men by a huge margin. The men needed to take as many wives as they could afford. All women needed to be able to multiply and replenish the earth as well as receive their temple ordinances to get to the celestial kingdom.

However, since leaving the church, I have learned that these are both false stories. Joseph Smith was married to at least 24 women, about ten of them under the age of 20 and one was 14 years of age. He also practiced polyandry, which means most of his wives were already married to other men when Joseph Smith married them. I was never told about polyandry and this is very upsetting to me. Please feel free to use the LDS source to verify this information.
     familysearch.org This is an LDS church website.
     familysearch.org/Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith's record)
Another source shows 33 wives were sealed to the prophet while he was alive.
And yet another source shows a total of 44 wives as more were sealed to him after his death.
     wivesofjosephsmith.org
     List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.

The number of women did not outnumber the number of men in the 1800s to justify polygamy.
     exmormon.org/mormon/mormon199
          (about halfway down the page is the population statistic)

     LDS 12th Article of Faith
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

During the 1830s, monogamy was the US law, not polygamy or polyandry. Therefore, polygamy and polyandry were illegal in the US.

Whether Joseph Smith was married to 2, 24, 33, or 44 is irrelevant to me. The heartbreaking information is that God created Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth, and He always wanted it this way. God did not create Adam and Eve and Abigail and Hannah and Julia and Leah and Martha and Naomi and Phoebe and Rachel and Rebecca and Ruth and Sarah and Susanna and Tabitha and Victoria. There is no way I will share my husband with another woman, nor would I care to have another husband. The bond that I have with Ken is unbreakable and I have no desire to have that union with anyone else; even if the prophet told me I had to.

Some Mormon Apostles taught that Jesus was married polygamously and had children while on earth.
     mrm.org/jesus-married

There is nothing in the Bible about Jesus being married at all or having children. For such an important occasion in His life, I would think it should be mentioned at least one time in the Bible.

My unanswered question was:

How could any man, especially a prophet of God, justify marrying this many women of this age range, most with husbands already, when it is clearly against Biblical customs and the law?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that it was unjustifiable, yet overjoyed to find the truth that polygamy and polyandry were not necessary and were certainly not revelation from God!

Reason 4 afterthought

My original thoughts were to go deeper into my current beliefs after I have stated my 40 reasons for leaving the church. If I still feel the need to write, that is. Writing this blog has been extremely therapeutic for me and I feel I am finally beginning to heal from the pain and sorrow I have been through this past year. I want to thank everyone that has given me support, encouragement, smiles, hugs, and uplifting messages. You are also helping me to finally heal! I would also like to thank those of you who are continuing to follow my journey; it means a lot to me.

THE TRINITY, addition

It has been brought to my attention by a few people that my post about The Trinity is quite confusing. First, I would like to apologize if I have confused anyone. Second, I purposely did not go into much detail about trying to explain The Trinity. It is such a difficult concept that I am unable to teach it to others. However, I thought I would go into just a little more detail.

In Psalm 147:5 and Isaiah 40:28, we are taught that God is incomprehensible. His understanding and knowledge are infinite. Our little human minds are incomparable to God's. There will be certain things from God that we as humans are incapable of understanding. I believe The Trinity is one topic that is beyond our comprehension. This is how I think of The Trinity; Ken is one person who plays three roles.

• He is a Father.
• He is a Son.
• He is a husband.

He is still only one person, yet he has three distinct and very different titles. His three roles make only one person, one body, one spirit. He is three persons in one.

As I have said many times before, God seems to work in threes a lot. He made Himself in three just as He made us in three. We are

• Spirit
• Soul
• Body

Mormonism teaches that Jesus is the literal Son of God. The church also teaches that Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother had children, the firstborn is Jesus. These teachings are in conflict with The Bible. 

     President Gordon B. Hinckley:

Logic and reason would certainly suggest that if we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. That doctrine rests well with me. However, in light of the instruction we have received from the Lord Himself, I regard it as inappropriate for anyone in the Church to pray to our Mother in Heaven...The fact that we do not pray to our Mother in Heaven in no way belittles or denigrates her...none of us can add to or diminish the glory of her of whom we have no revealed knowledge. Gordon B. Hinckley, "Daughters of God," Ensign (November 1991), 97

     O My Father, LDS Hymn 292

O my Father, thou that dwellest 

In the high and glorious place, 

When shall I regain thy presence 

And again behold thy face? 

In thy holy habitation, 

Did my spirit once reside? 

In my first primeval childhood 

Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose 

Thou hast placed me here on earth 

And withheld the recollection 

Of my former friends and birth; 

Yet ofttimes a secret something

Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"

And I felt that I had wandered

From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,

Thru thy Spirit from on high,

But, until the key of knowledge

Was restored, I knew not why.

In the heav'ns are parents single?

No, the thought makes reason stare!

Truth is reason, truth eternal

Tells me I've a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?

Then, at length, when I've completed

All you sent me forth to do,

With your mutual approbation

Let me come and dwell with you.

     Text: Eliza R. Snow

This is what The Bible tells us.

In John 1:14, The Word became flesh. God is The Word and He became Jesus, or God in the flesh.

In 1 Timothy 3:16, God was manifested in the flesh. God is purely Spirit without a body; therefore, without a body, He was unable to come to the earth as a spirit only. He had to empty Himself into a Human form in order to come to earth as Jesus. This explains the Virgin Birth.

     There is nothing in the Bible about Jesus being born of Heavenly Parents or being the literal Son of God.

This is a great article about the changes that Joseph Smith made in LDS doctrine; from believing the Trinity to believing in many gods and his god being a man.

     blog.mrm.org/what-happened-to-the-trinity-in-mormonism

Christianity teaches that God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are a Trinity.

Mormonism teaches that God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct personages. God and Jesus have two separate bodies the same as man and the Holy Ghost is purely spirit. There are many gods that began just as man did and they had to achieve godhood by obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Only one of these teachings can be right, and this is one of the main reasons that Mormonism is considered non-Christian.

PROPHET

Reason 8

The founding prophet of the LDS church stated...
     "for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, NOR JESUS ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet." Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 6, p. 408-409 (emphasis added)

This is one of the most disturbing quotes I have ever read. I refuse to follow, support, sustain, or sing praises to a man who claims to be a prophet of God and insists that he did more than Jesus. What prophet of God would ever declare to have done more than Jesus?

Who is telling the truth? Joseph Smith or Jesus?

My vote is for Jesus! I am willingly running away from Joseph Smith!

     Hymn #27, Praise to the Man, verse 1
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again.
     link to the entire hymn LDS Hymn, Praise to the Man, #27
Unfortunately, I sang that hymn many times.

Emma Smith did not even remain an active LDS after her husband's death. She became a member of the Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS), presently known as the Community of Christ. The RLDS church is one of over 100 churches that have branched off of the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am not okay with following the one true church if Joseph Smith's own wife did not even remain in it. If your husband was a true Prophet of God, would you join a different church after his death?

     Deuteronomy 18:20-22 tells us the Biblical test for a prophet.
But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'- when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
     This scripture teaches that a prophet must be tested by checking his prophecies. One false prophecy (even if some true prophecies are given) and that person is a false prophet. It does not matter how sincere he or his followers are. It does not matter how often his followers pray or what feelings they seem to receive in answer to their prayers. He is a false prophet. (watchmen.org)

Some false prophecies of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
     D&C 84:1-5
"...which city shall be built...in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith.... That the city New Jerusalem shall be built...even the place of the temple...in this generation. For verily this generation shall not pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord..."
     The Missouri Temple in the City of the New Jerusalem was not built in that generation nor was it dedicated by hand of Joseph Smith as the prophecy reveals. It is not even built to this day! "Let the Scriptures Speak" (What the Word of God says about 'The Mormon Church'...The Latter-day Saints) by Suzanne Bishop, p. 100

     D&C 87:1-6
"Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls..." (v.3) "For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations" (v.6) "And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God..."
     This prophecy is concerning the Civil War. The war did not involve England. Nor did other nations join in. Nor did any of the calamities that were stated in this prophecy come to pass. "Let the Scriptures Speak" (What the Word of God says about 'The Mormon Church'...The Latter-day Saints) by Suzanne Bishop, p. 103

     D&C 97:19
Zion (Independence, Missouri) cannot fall
     Mormons driven out.

     D&C 103
Army to redeem Zion (Independence, Missouri)
     Mission unsuccessful, v. 30-34
          God seems to be unsure about how large an army to raise.

     D&C 104
United Order
     v. 1 commanded as everlasting order
     v. 48 & 53 dissolved and reorganized

     D&C 111
Riches of Salem to pay church debt
     no riches found, debts not paid

     D&C 114
Apostle Patten to go on mission in Spring 1839
     He was shot in October of 1838.
          Wouldn't God have known he was going to die before the next spring?

     D&C 115
New gathering place and temple in Far West
     LDS driven out, never built the temple

     D&C 124
Build a temple in Nauvoo and house for Smiths
     Temple and house not completed

     D&C 130:14-15
Christ to return in 1890-1891 period
     Christ did not return
*watchmen.org

For other lists of false prophecies, see links
exmormon.org/prophet
irr.org/js-failed-prophecies
carm.org/false-prophecies-of-joseph-smith
saintsalive.com/testing-the-prophecies-of-joseph-smith-
utlm.org/falseprophecies
contenderministries.org/falseprophet

According to God, Joseph Smith = false prophet. Therefore, LDS church = founded by a false prophet.

My unanswered question was:

How could Joseph Smith be a prophet of God when he insists to have done more for this world than Jesus?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that Joseph Smith could not have been a prophet of God, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I do not need to follow, support, sustain, or sing praises to Joseph Smith to get to Heaven! Jesus is enough for me!

CHRISTIANITY

Reason 7


What is Christianity?
What do Christians believe?

This past year I have been researching Christianity along with other religions. I have a desire to understand why the LDS church is not considered a Christian church. This is something I did not know when I was a member. I found many organizations, some Christian and some non-Christian, which teach what Biblical Christianity is and what Biblical Christians believe. The following organizations clearly define Christianity. I stopped researching after about 20 different organizations continued saying the same things.

God and Science
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
Institute for Religious Research
Is Mormonism Christian
Leadership U
Media Ministries Outreach
Utah Lighthouse Ministry
Mormonism Research Ministry
Mormon Outreach
Answering LDS
Basic Christian
MormonInfo

Every organization I was able to locate teaches that Christianity is the belief in these four main doctrines, my Reasons 3-6.

1. One God. Reason 3
2. The Trinity. Reason 4
3. The Bible is the Complete Word of God. Reason 5
4. Salvation by Grace Alone. Reason 6

The LDS church denies all four of these doctrines. Therefore, the consensus is:

Is the LDS church a Christian church? No.

Are Mormons Christians? I do not know, and I am not going to judge. My guess would be probably not if they believe in the major doctrines of their church and deny the major doctrines of Christianity. Looking back on my life as a member, I was not a Christian. I was indeed a Mormon. If I look at the personal relationship I have with Christ today, I surely never had that as a Mormon, and I am certain that I never would have achieved this type of relationship with HIM had I continued on in the church. I was so over-involved in church that I completely missed out on HIM. I was a "churchian" instead of a Christian. I had to make sure I was...

• wearing my garments
• caught up on laundry so Ken and I always had a clean set of garments
• paying a full tithe
• willingly fulfilling callings
• preparing lessons
• finding someone to fulfill my callings if I was unable to
• keeping my children quiet during Sacrament
• following the word of wisdom
• strengthening my testimony
• reading all lessons
• attending activities
• preparing and carrying out family home evening every week
• preparing talks
• helping my children prepare talks
• studying scriptures
• praying as often as I was counseled
• visiting my sisters
• making time for my visiting teachers
• making time for my home teachers
• attending all meetings
• attending tithing settlement every year
• attending temple recommend interviews
• attending the temple every month or more
• researching genealogy so I had names to do work for
• cleaning the church building
• finding time to have the missionaries over for dinner
• making dinner for Sister Smith's family who just had a baby or surgery
• looking for someone to bring to church with me, etc.

Somewhere in there I needed to be a 

full-time Daughter of Christ,

full-time Wife,

full-time Mom,

full-time Teacher,
full-time Daughter,
full-time Daughter-in-law,
full-time Granddaughter,
full-time Sister,
full-time Sister-in-law,
full-time Aunt,
full-time Niece,
full-time Cousin, etc.

It's no wonder I couldn't find time for a relationship with Christ. Who could?

Is it possible for a Mormon to be a Christian? Maybe. At least I think so, but only God knows. For the most part Mormons are really great people who truly believe they are doing the right thing. I mean look above at all the things they are doing...

Do Mormons believe they are Christians? Absolutely. I definitely thought I was a Christian when I was a Mormon since no one ever told me that Mormonism does not teach the main doctrines of Christianity. I suppose I was just so caught up in the church that I didn't even think to ask why they denied Biblical teachings.

In my search this past year I have been unable to locate a religious organization besides LDS that recognizes LDS as Christian. Every organization I have found does not consider the LDS church a Christian church. Oh wait, maybe there was one... Anyhow, it is very clear that Mormonism denies the four basic doctrines of Christianity. Therefore, Mormonism is not a Christian religion.

I now know why Christians say Mormons are not Christians. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with that, but I do agree that they do not follow Christian beliefs because I have been both. They believe in a completely different God than the Christian God. They are followers of Christ, just not the same Christ from the Bible that Christians believe in. They are off the path of the Bible. They have a different definition of Grace.

I can also say for sure that they do use all of the vocabulary words that Christians use, but what has been proven is that they are using a completely different dictionary. Their definitions are completely different from Christianity.
     Mormon Definitions from carm.org

     Acts 11:26, written about 40 AD, teaches that Disciples were first called Christians after Paul's Ministry in Antioch.
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

     Alma 46:13-16, written about 73 BC, refers to Nephites as Christians.
...so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land-For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church. And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come. And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.

     Matthew 16:18, written about 33 AD, teaches that during Jesus' Ministry, He spoke of His Church as Something of the future.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

     Acts 2:47
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

     Mosiah 18:17, claims Christian Church was established as early as 147 BC
And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.

     from carm.org
Is it Christian? No.
If you were to go to any Christian bookstore and look in the non-Christian...section you will see numerous books on Mormonism that document Mormon beliefs as aberrant and un-Biblical. The Mormon Church is not considered a Christian church.
This is not simply an opinion that they are false; it is a fact that they teach aberrant and unchristian theology. In fact, Jesus warned us about such groups when He said in Matthew 24:24 that in the last days many false Christs and false prophets will arise and deceive many. Mormonism is exactly that, a manifestation of a false prophet: Joseph Smith, who taught all these things.
The Bible does not teach that God came from another planet, or that he has a goddess wife, or that we can become gods. In fact, the Bible clearly and definitely contradicts those teachings. But, the Mormon Church responds by saying that the Bible is not really trustworthy, that the true faith was lost, and that its leader, Joseph Smith, restored the so-called "true" Christian faith: god from another world, becoming gods, goddess mother, etc. Of course, the Mormon Church's claim is not true.

My unanswered question was:

How can the LDS church claim to be Christian when they deny the basis of Biblical Christianity: One God, The Trinity, The Bible, and Grace?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that the LDS church is not a Christian church, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I do not have to belong to a specific church to be a Christian as long as I believe Jesus is My Savior, He is God in the flesh, He is the only God who will ever exist, The Bible is the Complete Word of God, Christ died for my sins, and I am Saved by His Grace Alone!

I am so Blessed I had the desire to research religion, The Bible, and Christianity!

One last thought for those that still disagree with me. You are not disagreeing with me, but you are disagreeing with Biblical Christianity. It has already been proven that the LDS church is not a Christian church. I will not deny that the church has many wonderful members and some great qualities; it's just not classified as Christian.

GRACE

Reason 6


Salvation by Grace Alone is another main tenet of Christianity. I had this as Reason 40 since LDS feel so strongly about good works. However, it goes with Reasons 3-5, so I felt I should go ahead and write about it. LDS believe with their entire being that Christ will only fill in the rest after they have done "all they can do" and we must be held accountable for every sin. They feel the opposite of Christianity in that they must be obedient and do good works to earn their way to God in the celestial kingdom.

     From carm.org on Salvation according to Christianity:
Salvation, or the forgiveness of sins, is something that is given to you by God. It is a free gift (Rom. 6:23). The sinner is made righteous in God's eyes solely by the faith that the believer has in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Justification, or being declared righteous, is accomplished by faith (Rom. 5:1). Our works play no part in salvation. If our works could play any part at all, then Jesus died needlessly (Gal. 2:21).

There are over 100 scriptures about Grace in the Bible. I will not include them all; just my favorites. It is intriguing to me how many times Grace is mentioned in the Bible. over and over and over... I think it's important!

     Genesis 6:8
Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

     Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Mr, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

     Luke 18:9-14
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

     John 1:17; 3:16-17; 6:28-29; 14:6
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

• Notice that Jesus says, "I AM the way," not, "I'll show you the way."

     Acts 15:10-11

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."

     Romans 3:20-25; 3:28; 4:4-6; 5:1; 5:8-10

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

     Romans 10:4; 10:9; 10:13; 11:6

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

     Galatians 3:1-5

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?-

     Galatians 3:10-13

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."... Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree")

     Galatians 3:22-27

But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

     Galatians 5:1; 5:4; 5:14

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

     Ephesians 2:5-9

...made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

     Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

     Philippians 3:9

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

     2 Timothy 1:9

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

     Titus 1:16; 3:4-6

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

     Hebrews 13:8-10

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

     1 Peter 1:13; 5:5

rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

Works Follow Salvation; NOT salvation follows works. LDS have it completely backwards.

     John 15:5

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

     Galatians 2:16-21

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

So according to the Bible, I am saved by Grace Alone and not by my works. And not everyone will receive salvation.

     From carm.org on Salvation according to LDS:

The doctrine of the forgiveness of sins in Mormonism is that you are saved by grace after all you can do. They add to the finished work of Christ on the cross and say that Jesus made it possible for us to be forgiven. Our works must be mixed with the finished work of Christ and then our forgiveness of sins is merited before God.

This error is that works play a part in our salvation, our forgiveness of sins. They do not. In Galatians chapters 3 and 5, Paul addressed the issue and condemned the thought of keeping even one part of the Law in order to be righteous with God. Salvation is a free gift, paid for by the blood of Christ.

     3rd Article of Faith

you are "saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."

     2 Nephi 25:23

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

I never understood why this one "scripture" overpowers the 100+ scriptures in the Bible. I never understood what makes it more important than the Words and Blood of Christ. Anything that contradicts God's words is not from God.

     D&C 98:31

Nevertheless, thine enemy is in thine hands; and if thou rewardest him according to his works thou art justified; if he has sought thy life, and thy life is endangered by him, thine enemy is in thine hands and thou art justified.

     Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 669-671

...the mere fact of resurrection is called salvation by grace alone...Salvation in the celestial kingdom of God, however, is not salvation by grace alone. Rather, it is salvation by grace coupled with obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."

But this is not the salvation of righteousness, the salvation which the saints seek. Those who gain only this general or unconditional salvation will still be judged according to their works and receive their places in a terrestrial or a telestial kingdom. They will, therefore, be damned; their eternal progression will be cut short; they will not fill the full measure of their creation, but in eternity will be ministering servants to more worthy persons.

Full salvation is attained by virtue of knowledge, truth, righteousness, and all true principles. Many conditions must exist in order to make such salvation available to men. Without the atonement, the gospel, the priesthood, and the sealing power, there would be no salvation. Without continuous revelation, the ministering of angels, the working of miracles, the prevalence of gifts of the spirit, there would be no salvation. If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

"...one of the untrue doctrines found in modern Christendom is the concept that man can gain salvation by grace alone and without obedience. This soul-destroying doctrine has the obvious effect of lessening the determination of an individual to conform to all of the laws and ordinances of the gospel, such conformity being essential if the sought reward is in reality to be gained."

     Doctrines of Salvation, v1, pp. 117-193, Joseph Fielding Smith

There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of god.

All man-made creeds and doctrines shall perish when the fulness of truth is come, when Christ reigns in power upon the earth, and when those who abide the day of his coming have all been converted to the one true Church.

The souls of members of the Church are just as precious in the sight of the Lord as are the souls of the people in the world unto whom our missionaries go with the plan of salvation. In fact, if a choice is to be made, a soul already in the Church -- one who is in the covenant -- is just a little dearer to the Father, if possible, than is one who is on the outside.

     Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 83 and 92

"There are some who have striven to obey all the divine commandments, who have accepted the testimony of Christ, obeyed 'the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,' and received the Holy Spirit; these are they who have overcome evil by godly works and who are therefore entitled to the highest glory."

Good works are necessary for salvation.

I disagree 999% with the LDS teaching of "after all we can do," "laws and ordinances," "obedience," etc. Because the Bible clearly says...

     Isaiah 64:6

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

*How do you "know" you've "done all you can do"? If you fall short of "all you can do" does that mean you can't qualify for grace? ~Connie Cullum Raddon

* How does one "know" that they have done "all they can do"? I mean when exactly does grace kick in? ~Gloria Pickering

LDS salvation vs. Christian Salvation:

Salvation is like a rushing river that you have to cross. You have to jump in.

For the LDS, Christ is waiting on the other side, tosses you a rope, and says, "Kick!" You are saved from drowning by both your effort and his help. For the Christian, you are drowning because there's no way you can cross the river on your own effort, so He dives in and save you, takes you to the other side Himself, and revives you. Nothing you could have done would have saved you from drowning, but you knew when you jumped in that He would come in after you. ~Lee, Mormon & LDS Facts Facebook page

I'll take Christian Salvation over LDS salvation in a heartbeat!!! I'm exhausted just reading about everything I have to do to earn salvation in the LDS church.

LDS focus so much on exaltation instead of salvation. I would much rather have salvation, and I am certain I will receive it. I never had that comfort as a Mormon. I do not need nor do I want exaltation, because I am not worthier than any other person and I don't even want to be worthier. We are all equal and will remain that way in Heaven with each other. I certainly will not be a "ministering servant to more worthy persons." That's pure nonsense.

What saddens me beyond words is that the LDS church truly believes that Christ does not love us enough to accept us into heaven by Grace alone. Believing that we must earn our way into His home is believing that He does not accept us for who we are and the person He made us to be. This is certainly not giving Him the Praise and Glory He deserves.

Christ does want us to serve and do good works, but it should be at our desire and not at the direction of church leadership. Good works should be done out of a love for Christ. While I was a member, I oftentimes did good works because that's what would get me to the celestial kingdom. Very seldom did I do it to strengthen my Faith in Christ. I also compared my good works to others' good works to make sure I was doing as much or more than they were. How judgmental was I! It took me leaving the church to realize all this and that is extremely frustrating to me. I felt the bishop, prophet, or even Joseph Smith were my judges during my membership in the church. Even my friends were my judges by saying things like, "You're so good" or "your spirit is so strong" or "I want to have a testimony like you someday" or "I hope I can be like you when I grow up." Now I don't have anyone to please except Christ and it is SO freeing!

Without Grace, all we can do is pointless! They do not work together. It's either one or the other; not both. Good works are a result of salvation. Once we have been saved, good works come naturally with no other intentions in mind. LDS receive salvation because they have been obedient and done good works. That teaching is backwards. The correct order of those two teachings is one of the most important tenets I can teach my children. I cannot remain in the LDS church and teach them the correct order of this. My Jesus will get all the credit and glory for what He did for me. I do not want any credit and I certainly do want Him to have died in vain for me!

And what happens if we do not accept Christ's free gift of grace?

     Galatians 5:4

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

     1 John 5:10-13

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

     Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

My unanswered questions were:

Will I ever be certain that I have been obedient enough or done enough good works in order to make it to the celestial kingdom? Why is Christ not enough to be saved by His Grace Alone?

I was initially devastated when I received these answers that I can never be sure I've done enough, yet overjoyed to find the truth that by believing HE died for me, I have done enough and I will be in heaven with HIM. I am overjoyed that HE loves me and accepts me without all of that rubbish! His Grace is all I need! Thank you Christ for dying on the Cross to save me from all of my sins because no matter how "perfect" I am, I'm still a sinner! I Love You!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

     Romans 16:20; 16:24; 1 Corinthians 16:23; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 6:24; Philippians 4:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; Philemon 1:25; Revelation 22:21