Why I’m A Christian

and Not A Mormon

Roughly 6.5 million Americans self-identify themselves as a

member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Where does Mormonism come from?

Joseph Smith (1805-1844) is the founder of the church.  He claims that a revival had occurred near his home of Palmyra, New York in 1820.  The converts, however, could not decide on which denomination to join.  

Smith prayed for guidance and claims that Jesus and His Father (Elohim) appeared to him.  They told him that all of the Christian denominations were “corrupt” and all Christian creeds “an abomination” because they were the products of man, not God.  Mormons refer to this as “The First Vision.”  

Smith claims that in 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to him and charged him with translating The Book of Mormon.  

Smith was not given the plates until 1827 and he didn’t publish the work until 1830.  It’s full title was “The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.”

Wha

t is t

he b

ook

of

Mor

mon

?Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim

he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles” through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time.  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

Wha

t is t

he b

ook

of

Mor

mon

?

Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim he

wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles”

through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during

this time.  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

Wha

t is

the

book

of

Mor

mon

?

Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles”

through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he

dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time .  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

Wha

t is t

he b

ook

of

Mor

mon

?

Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently “special goggles” through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during this time.  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision .

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

Wha

t is t

he b

ook

of

Mor

mon

?

Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently

“special goggles” through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during

this time.  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

Wha

t is t

he b

ook

of

Mor

mon

?

Smith claimed the golden plates were written in “Reformed Egyptian” and that he translated although reports vary on how.  Some claim he wore a priestly breast plate to which the Urim and Thummim were attached.  The Urim and Thummim were apparently

“special goggles” through which he could translate the text. 

Another report had him staring into a top hat into which a “seer stone” was placed and that it aided him in translating the plates, which he dictated to eleven scribes, who swore they saw the plates even though they were supposedly covered by blankets during

this time.  

Later the scribes admitted they had only seen the plates in a vision.

The book is divided into sections named after each individual author (e.g., First Book of Nephi, Book of Enos, Book of Jarom, etc.).  

It retells a number of narratives from the King James Bible (which Mormons believe is the only acceptable translation of the Bible).  The Bible is considered Holy but only when it agrees with Mormon texts for

Mormons believe the Bible was “corrupted” by men. 

What is in the book of

Mormon?

It begins with the story of Nephi whose father Lehi has a vision and is warned of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians around 600 BC.  Lehi, his family and a few others flee Israel, build

a ship (with instructions from God to Nehphi) and

they sail to the Americas.  

They reach America and eventually Lehi dies. 

Nephi’s two brothers, Laman and Lemuel, rebel and try to kill him.  He escapes with his

family and some other followers who establish the

Kingdom of Nephi.  His brothers, however, are

stricken by God with dark skin as a punishment for

their sin.  These “Lamenites” are the forefathers of Native

Americans. 

The two tribes eventually go to war and the Lamenites win in 428 AD.  The last of the Nephite leaders was

named, “Mormon.”  His son Moroni took these books, written on golden plates,

and buried them in upstate New York.

The Book of Mormon also teaches that Jesus appeared to the “faithful” in America

and “healed their sick, taught them His Gospel,

blessed their children and called twelve disciples to organize His church in the Americas” (3 Nephi 11:18;

12:1-2). 

When did this happen? LDS scholars disagree.  Some

think it was after he ascended to His Father 40-days after his resurrection and others believe it was

about a year later. 

Mormons teach that the Christian church suffered

“The Great Apostasy” after the death of the twelve

disciples.  The true church continued to exist in

America until the destruction of the Nephites

in 428

It begins with the story of Nephi whose father Lehi has a vision and is

warned of the destruction of

Jerusalem by the Babylonians around 600 BC.  Lehi, his family and a few

others flee Israel, build a ship (with

instructions from God to Nehphi) and they

sail to the Americas.  

They reach America and eventually Lehi dies.  Nephi’s two brothers,

Laman and Lemuel, rebel and try to kill him.  He

escapes with his family and some other followers who establish the Kingdom of

Nephi.  His brothers, however, are stricken by God with dark skin as a

punishment for their sin.  These “Lamenites” are the

forefathers of Native Americans. 

The two tribes eventually go to war and the Lamenites win in 428 AD.  The last of the Nephite

leaders was named, “Mormon.”  His son Moroni took these books, written on golden plates, and

buried them in upstate New York.

The Book of Mormon also teaches that

Jesus appeared to the “faithful” in America

and “healed their sick, taught them His Gospel, blessed their children and called twelve disciples to organize His church in the Americas” (3 Nephi 11:18; 12:1-

2). 

When did this happen? LDS

scholars disagree.  Some think it was after he ascended to His Father 40-

days after his resurrection and others believe it was about a year

later. 

Mormons teach that the Christian church suffered “The Great Apostasy” after the death of the twelve disciples.  The true church continued to

exist in America until the destruction of the Nephites in

428

In fact, Smith claims he was

directly anointed by Peter, John,

James and John the Baptist

granting him the “keys to the Kingdom,” the title of prophet and a priest in both the order of Aaron and Melchizedek. 

The true church was not organized again until Joseph

Smith was anointed and reformed it.

What does the “true church” look

like?They look to the New Testament and believe there

should always be twelve apostles. 

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

The President (or Prophet) who receives continuous revelation

from God. 

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

The Two Counselors who serve the

President. Mormons believe this mirrors

the early leadership of Peter, John and James.

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

The Quorum of Twelve, which with the President and

Counselors make up the 15 Apostles, which is the second highest governing body of the

church.

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

The Apostles are served by the

Seventies.

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

General officers and presiding Bishopric are

called to their positions by the

apostles.

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

“Stake Presidents”

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

The leader of local parishes is a “Bishop” and the congregations he oversees are called

“wards”, a group of wards form a “Stake”

Today, the church is

structured as follows: 

Then there are the individual members.

What do LDS worship services

look like?

Worship services last about three hours and are broken into three

segments: The sacrament meeting where they take communion and

hear “talks” by lay members and they sing hymns

Sunday School

Priesthood meetings for all men and boys age 12 or older and Relief Society Meetings and Young Women Meetings.  

LDS “meetinghouses” welcome all people whether

they are Mormon or not although there are places in

the meetinghouse where only members can enter. 

“Temples” are used for marriages and baptisms. 

There are also services during the

week except for Monday, which is “Family Night.” 

The two big events in the LDS church are the General Conference Meetings (held in April &

October), in which the President/Prophet speaks.  They are carried worldwide via

satellite, radio, etc.  

What about creation?

Christians believe God created the universe out of of nothing but Mormons hold to the

eternal existence of matter.  They teach that Elohim and Jesus “formed” but did not create

“the heavens and the earth.”  

What do they believe about

God?    

• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us.  Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.

Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew

up an obedient Mormon.  He died and was elevated to divinity.  He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”

Human

Body• A great council of galactic gods was

convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children.  They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans.  Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer

Earth

What do they believe about

God?    

• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us.  Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.

Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew

up an obedient Mormon.  He died and was elevated to divinity.  He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”

Human

Body• A great council of galactic gods was

convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children.  They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans.  Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer

Earth

What do they believe about

God?    

• Mormons believe there are trillions of planets ruled by gods who were once human like us.  Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a god and one of his goddess wives gave birth to a “spirit child” named Elohim.

Elohim• He was later given a human body and grew

up an obedient Mormon.  He died and was elevated to divinity.  He lives now on a planet with his many goddess wives and produced billions of “spirit children.”

Human

Body• A great council of galactic gods was

convened to discuss what to do with Elohim’s children.  They decided to form the planet earth and send them there as humans.  Elohim’s two oldest children were also present—Jesus and Lucifer

Earth

Lucifer proposed that he be sent as savior and force all of the children to obey Mormon teaching and become gods.  Jesus opposed his brother’s plan and argued that humans should be given free will as on all other planets.  

Lucifer convinced 1/3 of Elohim’s “spirit children” to rebel. They were cursed to become demons and to never receive human bodies.

Those who fought bravely against the rebellion were assured they were to be born to good Mormon families, those who fought half-heartedly were born with a curse—dark skin.  

Later, Elohim would travel to earth from his star base to

impregnate the virgin Mary and give his son Jesus a human

body.  

According to

Mormons, Jesus had

three wives.

Mary

Martha

Mary Magdalen

e.

He fathered

many children. One of his later

descendants was…

Joseph Smith

Mormons teach there are different levels of salvation based on their

reading of 1 Cor. 15:40-42.  There is general salvation for all through the cross of Christ with exception of the very wicked who are the only ones

destined for hell. What about salvation?

Mormons teach there

are “three

kingdoms of glory”: A person is assigned a kingdom on

judgment day based on their obedience to God’s commands.

The Celestial KingdomThe Terrestrial

KingdomThe Telestial Kingdom

Only those adults who come to faith in Christ,

repent and obey Mormon teachings perfectly will live in

the celestial kingdom.

Mormons do hold to an “age of accountability” (roughly the age of 8) and believe all children who die

before such an age will automatically be included in the celestial kingdom (Doctrines &

Covenants 131:1-4). 

The Terrestrial Kingdom will include those who were

“blinded by the craftiness of men.”

  These are people who did not receive the Gospel in this life but did so in the place of

the dead.   The Telestial Kingdom will include all

others.  It will be planets that are

pleasant.  

So, unless you’re an axe murderer, why be a

mormon?

What about baptism for the dead?

Mormons contend that all those who die go to a place for the dead until final judgment.  There, they will be offered a chance to accept LDS teachings.  But, for their salvation to be complete and, at least have a shot at the Terrestrial

Kingdom, they must be baptized vicariously through another family

member.  Mormons believe baptism is essential to salvation for the top tier

kingdoms.

Polygamy was eliminated as a practice but the doctrine was not

eliminated from their beliefs.  Some members till practice it.  Joseph Smith had at least 28 wives. 

What about polygamy?

What are the main differences between Christianity and Mormonism?

-The Bible is the only book inspired by God (1 Tim. 3:16 and Jude 3)

-Salvation is through faith in Christ alone (see Romans 5:8; 10:9, etc.).  We do good works to show love and gratitude to God, not to earn anything. 

-God is three-and-one (Matt. 28:19

-There is historical evidence to support the validity of the Christian faith.

What are the main differences between Christianity and Mormonism?

-The Bible is the only book inspired by God (1 Tim. 3:16 and Jude 3)

-Salvation is through faith in Christ alone (see Romans 5:8; 10:9, etc.).  We do good works to show love and gratitude to God, not to earn anything. 

-God is three-and-one (Matt. 28:19

-There is historical evidence to support the validity of the Christian faith.

BE NICE! Don’t engage them if you are not an expert (and even experts have low

batting averages).  But, offer them water or lemonade or something to eat.

What do you do if a Mormon missionary comes to your door?