Unit Five : Mormonism
The basic teachings of the group are listed below in the unit summary. To learn more on how to defend against these teachings check out the apologetic links below the summary. To learn more about what the group itself says, check out the links at the bottom of the page.

This group would correctly be classified as a cult.

"Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say now I again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." - Galatians 1:6-8

Unit Summary

1. MORMONISM DOES NOT TEACH THAT THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLIBLE WORK OF GOD.
"We believe the Bible to the the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the book of Mormon to be the word of God" (Articles of Faith, No. 8).
2. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT GOD IS AN EXALTED MAN AND HAS A PHYSICAL BODY.
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345).
4. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT JESUS WAS MARRIED AND THE HE IS POLYGAMOUS.
"We say it was Jesus Christ who was married at Cana of Galilee" (Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 80). Mormonism teaches that Jesus was the natural child of Adam and Mary. "When the Virgin Mary conceived the Child Jesus....He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is his Father? He is the first of the human family" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, pp. 50-51). No longer taught
5. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT THE TRUE CHURCH CEASED TO EXIST UNTIL IT WAS RESTORED TO JOSEPH SMITH.
The church (LDS) was restored April 6, 1830 by Joseph Smith (Doc. & Cov., 20:1).
6. MORMONISM TEACHES ANOTHER (PERVERTED) GOSPEL THAN THAT OF THE BIBLE.
The gospel to Mormonism is: "Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, Morality, Loyalty, Tithing, Word of Wisdom, Duty Celestial Marriage (for eternity)" (LDS chart of FREE AGENCY and Articles of Faith, No. 4).
7. MORMONISM TEACHES SALVATION FOR THE THE DEAD BY PROXY WATER BAPTISM
This doctrine is based on one misunderstood Scripture: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor. 15:29).
Paul did not practice baptism for the dead. He excluded himself by using the pronoun "they" rather than "we" or "ye". He is asking a question rather than making a statement. "It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
8. MORMONISM TEACHES GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH FOR THE DEAD
"Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let u present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worth of all acceptation" (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 128:24).
9. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT THERE ARE MODERN DAY PROPHETS AND MODERN DAY REVELATIONS FROM GOD.
Mormonism claims that Joseph Smith received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist. The Melchizedek Priesthood and Apostleship was restored by Peter, James and John shortly afterwards in 1829 (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 13).
10. MORMONISM TEACHES THAT SALVATION DEPENDS UPON GOOD WORKS AND ACCEPTANCE OF JOSEPH SMITH.
"No man who rejects the testimony of Joseph Smith can enter the kingdom of God" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1 pg. 190). "Men have work to do it they would obtain salvation" (Doctrines of Salvation. vol. 3, pg 91)

"For I bear them record that have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." - Romans 10:2,3

Check out the links below to find out more about him and his leadership of this group.

Profile of Mormonism

Apologetic Sites Critical of Mormonism
*Note- The doctrinal stances of each of the apologetic web-sites listed below are not necessarily the same as Covenant Christian School or the Protestant Reformed denomination that supports our school. Use these links with discernment.
Who is Joseph Smith?
Brigham Young's False Prophesies
Each of the sites below will help you with many of the false doctrines taught by Mormons
    1. Archeology & Book of Mormon
    2. Baptism for the Dead
    3. Attaining godhood
    4. Eternal Marriage
    5. Grace Inadequate
    6. Temple Ceremonies

Sites that are affiliated with Mormonism
*Note - These sites definitely do not represent the perspective taught by this course, these links are made available for research, to see what the groups themselves say they teach.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Home Page