The Mormons claim the church was started in 1820 when Joseph Smith prayed to know what church to join. The claim goes on to say that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Joseph Smith continues to claim that on September 21, 1823, an angel named Moroni appeared to him and gave him instructions about where to find a book written on gold plates. Along with the plates were the Urim and Thummin which would aid in the translation of the book. Smith states that he found everything mentioned in Ontario county, NY, on the west side of a hill under a rock. He translated the plates into the book of Mormon and the messenger took the plates away. Smith claims that the Lord stated that their church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the earth".
Today the Mormons claim almost an 11 million church membership, with a 4.7% annual growth1. Members abstain from alcohol and caffeine and fast on the first Sunday of each month. They are required to wear special underwear to remind them of their religion. The Mormon missionaries are out in full force recruiting new members. The missionaries I talked to showed me a seven day, 24 hour appointment sheet. There were a lot of spaces filled in for that week. Their recruitment plans have been adopted by the CIA and the FBI. They are building churches at the rate of 350 per year1.
Because of a 10% mandatory tithe, their contributions were 5.2 billion in 19961. They have 30 billion dollars in assets and own Beneficial Life and the top beef ranch in the world1. (1Time Magazine)
I was invited to their church service and to be baptized, but I declined. They have a Priesthood/Relief Society meetings Sundays at 9:30 AM, Sunday school at 10:20 AM and then a sacrament meeting afterwards. A former member told me that his mom left the church because they spoke more about the Mormon leaders than they did about God.
The leadership of the church consist of deacons at age 12-13, teachers for ages 14-15 and priest for ages 16 and older. They consider these offices part of the Aaronic Priesthood. They also have a Bishop who heads the priests and a Stake President who governs several congregations. This priesthood falls under The President, who is considered a prophetic successor to Smith, two advisors and a 12 member apostolic direction.
Until 1978 black members of the Mormon church were not permitted to serve in church leadership. Missionaries actually avoided countries such as Africa that had a large black population. They claim the reason for this policy was not revealed. Joseph Smith taught that the priesthood was off limits to blacks because they were descendants of Cain and therefore cursed. This is also taught in their book of Abraham (now part of the Pearl of Great Price). The Mormon policy, in simple terms, is this:
In the eyes of the Mormon church, blacks were guilty of the preexisting sin of rebellion with Lucifer and barred from the priesthood. The Mormon church rejects the doctrine of original sin.
Although the church denies any prejudice towards the black population, I have the testimony of an African-American co-worker who experienced rejection by the church. He called for a free King James Bible that was offered on TV. I warned him of the past history of the church and their attitude towards blacks when he told me of his intentions. When the church made a follow up call to his home, he told them he was black. They hung up on him.
A. First you have to question the appearances that Smith claims. There are many other so- called "Christian" churches that claim the same. Joseph Smith in his first writing said the angel Moroni was the messenger. In a later account he listed Nephi as the messenger. Use 2 Cor.11:14. "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light".
If Smith did possibly have a vision, how could he know the difference? Joseph Smith, Sr. was a peep stone user and treasure digger. He also claimed his son Joseph Smith, Jr. was a peep stone user and treasure digger. A peep stone is supposed to be a magical rock which when placed in a hat and darkened, revealed lost treasure. One of his many wives, Emma Smith claimed that he translated the golden plates using this method. This would not only be unBiblical but a form of occult.
The Urim and Thummin were two flat objects that the high priest used to determine God's answers: Both objects were thrown and if the Urim came side up: no, Thummin side up: yes, one of each meant a 'no' answer.
B. Contrary to Mormon claims, the Melchizedek Priesthood was abolished by Christ when He died on the cross. We have no need for an on going priest system since Christ's sacrifice was once and for all. This is evident in the temple curtain splitting in two in Mark 15:38. Have the member read the 8th and 9th chapter of Hebrews. By our faith in Christ we all become priests of God...Peter 2:9, Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 20:6.
C. To qualify to be an Apostle, we would have to follow the criteria set in Acts 1:22 "beginning with the baptism of John, until the day He was taken up from us-one of these should become a witness of us with His resurrection". So the Mormon apostle should have witnesses the baptism, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Even though we know this is not possible, they will probably hit you with this, one true church, vision and reformation stuff. Remember always, just like Satan twisted the Scripture when he tried to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, the cult church will do the same. Remember who is behind the cult church!
