By Ken Blue
It is recorded that Smith had at least 33 wives. He said the angel of the lord promised to kill him if he did not take many wives and teach others to do likewise. The following comes from two Mormons who responded to a previous article I posted. One has been a member of the Mormon Church for 40 years.
I WILL MARK MY COMMENTS IN BOLD .
“1. Polytheism: “Mormons”… only worship one God. Do we believe that other gods exist? You bet we do.”
Mormons attempt to make the case that Bible believers also believe in more than one God. Since they reject the teaching of the Trinity, they assume we believe in three gods. No such luck.
In the Bible, God clearly teaches there is: “No God beside Me.” Here are some examples:
- Beside Me there is no Savior (Isaiah 43:11).
- Beside Me there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).
- Is there a God beside Me? yea, there is no God; I know not any (Isaiah 44:8).
- There is no God beside Me (Isaiah 45:5).
- There is none beside Me (Isaiah 45:6).
- There is no God else beside Me (Isaiah 45:21).
- There is none beside Me (Isaiah 45:2)
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Do we Mormons believe that other gods exist? You bet we do![/pullquote]
Four Similar Expressions Elsewhere:
- He is God; there is none else beside Him (Deut. 4:35; cp. Deut. 32:39).
- There is none beside Thee (1 Samuel 2:2).
- There is none like Thee, neither is there any God but Thee (2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Chron. 17:20).
- There is no Savior beside Me (Hosea 13:4).
2. “…multiple wives: this is not a “teaching” or even a doctrine of our Church. We very much believe that marriage can exist beyond this mortal life. We also believe and acknowledge that righteous men, including prophets, were granted by God in biblical times to have more than one wife. So, if you put the two together, I suppose I can see where some would say “Mormons believe that they can become gods and that they’ll all have multiple wives”. If marriage does exist beyond death, what of the multiple wives? You will note that the mormon with 40 years experience says they will have their wives.
3. “Sex in heaven. Here’s what I do know: resurrection is a reality. You and I will be resurrected because of Jesus’ wonderful gift of resurrection. That means our bodies will be restored after death just like His body was restored. That means our entire body – why would we not have all parts restored? (The restored parts are the sex organs) And add to that our belief that marriage can exist beyond this mortal life, you could conclude that sure, husband and wife can continue to have and enjoy the God-given gift of sexual relations with each other.” He admits that Mormons will have their wives in heaven, and the resurrected will have all parts restored. He means all reproductive parts!
4. “Spirit babies? I’ve never in my life heard that term or phrase in my Church. Perhaps unique to us, is that we believe that we lived with God prior to this life as well – in spirit form. We believe that God created us as spirits prior to this life. Then at birth, our spirits are clothed in a physical body, which at death is separated from our spirit. I have no idea how God created us spiritually.” He admits Mormons existed in heaven and are incarnated in babies at birth. He says he does not know how God “created” these spirits. Many Mormon leaders teach that the Mormon god has these spirit babies with his many wives.
5. “You also state that the reason the Church practiced polygamy back in the 1800’s was based on your “spiritual babies” doctrine. That’s absolutely false. If you heard that somewhere, it was truly false mormon doctrine. Polygamy is not a practice of our Church and was only a practice for a small amount of time….. But I can tell you, for certain, it had nothing to do with “spiritual babies”. That is totally false – as is the spiritual babies thing. The doctrine of “spirit babies” is not my doctrine.” It is a doctrine of the Mormon Church, and documentation exists.
6. “You state “most Mormons don’t want the general public to know these vital doctrines of their church”. That’s also very false. I have nothing to hide. I would never hide that. Likewise, I would never hide the fact that I believe that God loves us so much that He would make it possible for us to be together as families throughout eternity. Those, I do believe are “vital beliefs”. Why would I hide that? Your other statements about “sex with multiple wives” and “spiritual babies” and “becoming gods!” – those aren’t “vital” beliefs, nor are they even “beliefs”.”
7. “Finally, why do you not share with your readers the many wonderful things our Church does and teaches that surely you would appreciate – the fact that we teach kindness, charity, love, and strong family relationships? The fact that we teach the blessings of avoiding drugs and alcohol abuse? The fact that we teach to do good in the community and to defend other’s beliefs, even if they are not our own? The fact that we stand for marriage between a man and a woman more so than any other faith. I’m not asking you to promote us… I’m just asking you to be fair. I’m asking you to help your readers to learn how to receive positive examples from any source or religion. You don’t have to join a group to recognize the good in their organization. I’m sure you feel justified in “helping” your readers to beware of the “evils” of “Mormonism”. But I will tell you this – I would never blog about and tear down your beliefs. I would only share what I believe in without harming another’ s beliefs.”
If one read my first post on Mormons, he will see that it was not an attack on any good works they may have done. “This is not intended to be an attack on the moral character of individual Mormons.” Good works are not a substitute for false doctrine. And I assure you that the teachings of Mormonism are false from beginning to end.
Another Mormon responded saying, “Haha I’m sorry, but none of this is correct. I am LDS and I’ve never heard this. We believe in God-singular, Jesus Christ-the son, and the Spirit of God. We call it the Godhead; don’t other Christians just call it the trinity? We do not know the reasoning of the Lord and so doctrines such as polygamy were followed when given, and given up when instructed to do as such. We don’t practice polygamy and we don’t have reason why it used to be taught. We believe wives and all other people will be resurrected one day whether their spouse is “pleased” with them or not. Our church does not hide anything. All the doctrines, ordinances, and procedures can be found in the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants…”
I know for a fact Proof is abundant. Read my other blog on Mormons.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
Thanks Ken, for your representation of my comments. However some being taken out of context, I still very much appreciate it. Also, I should tell you that I believe every word of Isaiah that you quote. Thanks for sharing that too. It does not conflict with my beliefs in the slightest. In fact it reinforces my beliefs.
May I ask you some questions?
1. Do you believe your marriage will continue after this life? Or, are you and your wife married until “death do you part”? Is my belief that my wife and I’s marriage can exist beyond this life incorrect?
2. Do you want to be married to your wife after this life?
3. In heaven, what will we be doing? Will we be angels? If so, what purpose will our angelic work be? Besides praising God and giving him glory for eternity, what will be our purpose for eternity?
4. Do you believe you will be resurrected? Do you believe all people of the world will be resurrected or only those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior?
5. Do you believe God and Jesus Christ are the same being?
6. Do you believe God has a body of flesh and bone or is he a spirit as stated in John 4:24?
7. Jesus Christ was resurrected so that before His ascension to heaven He had a body of flesh and bone. Does he not have that anymore? Can He put it on when he wants and take it off when he wants depending on his objective?
8. There are some people on this planet now and throughout history who may never even hear or have had heard the name Jesus Christ, let alone be taught His doctrines. Are they doomed to hell because they haven’t had the opportunity to be taught about Jesus Christ?
7. What “many Mormon Leaders” teach of “spirit babies”. Perhaps you can help me. If you really want to witness to me and others, perhaps you can help me by providing actual sources rather than simply saying “many mormon leaders teach this”.
9. Related to the above, what “documentation” have you seen that cites a claim to “Mormon Doctrine” on “spirit babies”? I’d really like to see that. I don’t doubt you that they exist, I just want to read them.
10. How can one know for sure what is truth and what isn’t?
Thanks so much. Please know that I will not share your answers with anyone else. This will truly help me to understand better where you are coming from and your position better. I believe you to be a man of God and am eager to learn.
thanks,
Vince
Hi Ken,
I just read your post once again and felt I needed to correct my original post by providing greater clarity to one point. When I said “Perhaps unique to us is that we believe we lived with God prior to this life”. I don’t mean that “just mormons lived with God in heaven prior to this life”, I mean it’s our belief that all of God’s children existed as spirits and lived with him prior to this life. That includes you!
Thanks,
Vince
If you don’t already know it, there is a world of difference between Christian beliefs and those of Mormons. Although Mormons will use the same lingo, they do not mean the same as Bible believers.
You see, Christians have only one authority. However, all false religions must have multiple authorizes. I believe the Bible is complete and without error. Whereas,you do not. You have the Bible, the book of Mormon, the Covenants and the sayings of your prophets, but you believe the Bible is full of errors. Mormonism is always evolving and in constant flux.
I will answer your questions as I can. I am confident it will be a waste of time, because you will run to your multiple authorities.
You say: Also, I should tell you that I believe every word of Isaiah that you quote. Thanks for sharing that too. It does not conflict with my beliefs in the slightest. In fact it reinforces my beliefs.
A. You do not believe what Isaiah said. You believe there are many gods, and that the best of Mormons may someday become a god like the one you say you worship. So, you are not being honest in your answer. God says He knows of no other God. Is there a God beside Me? yea, there is no God; I know not any (Isaiah 44:8). How is it you know of them, and God doesn’t?
You say: May I ask you some questions?
1. Do you believe your marriage will continue after this life? Or, are you and your wife married until “death do you part”? Is my belief that my wife and I’s marriage can exist beyond this life incorrect?
A. Marriage will not continue after death. There will be no need for it. The purpose of marriage here is to provide companionship and offspring. Wives will not be necessary in heaven.
2. Do you want to be married to your wife after this life?
A. I will have no need or desire to be married to anyone.
3. In heaven, what will we be doing? Will we be angels? If so, what purpose will our angelic work be? Besides praising God and giving him glory for eternity, what will be our purpose for eternity?
A. We will not become angels. The Bible is silent on what the redeemed will be doing. I do know what the lost will be doing. They will be asking for water.
4. Do you believe you will be resurrected? Do you believe all people of the world will be resurrected or only those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior?
A. All people will be resurrected. “27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:27-29. “5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”. Revelation 20:5-6.
5. Do you believe God and Jesus Christ are the same being?
A. I believe in one God, manifested as The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. As study of these will show that they all have the same attributes.
6. Do you believe God has a body of flesh and bone or is he a spirit as stated in John 4:24?
A. God the Father does not have a body of flesh. God is Spirit. God did not take on flesh and come to earth and have intercourse with Mary, as taught by the Mormon Church.
7. Jesus Christ was resurrected so that before His ascension to heaven He had a body of flesh and bone. Does he not have that anymore? Can He put it on when he wants and take it off when he wants depending on his objective?
A. God can do anything that is not inconstant with His nature. You will need to ask Him about those unknown things.
8. There are some people on this planet now and throughout history who may never even hear or have had heard the name Jesus Christ, let alone be taught His doctrines. Are they doomed to hell because they haven’t had the opportunity to be taught about Jesus Christ?
A. “12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” Romans 10:12-16.
7. What “many Mormon Leaders” teach of “spirit babies”. Perhaps you can help me. If you really want to witness to me and others, perhaps you can help me by providing actual sources rather than simply saying “many mormon leaders teach this”.
A. See below.
9. Related to the above, what “documentation” have you seen that cites a claim to “Mormon Doctrine” on “spirit babies”? I’d really like to see that. I don’t doubt you that they exist, I just want to read them.
A. “God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit babies, Mormon Doctrine p. 516.”
“We were first begotten as spirit babies in heaven and then born naturally on earth, Journal of Discourse, Vol. 4, p. 218.” “The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, Mormon Doctrine, page 129.” “The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus “in the morning of pre-existence,” Mormon Doctrine, page 192.”
10. How can one know for sure what is truth and what isn’t?
A. See John 7:17.
My guess is that you know all these things. It seems unlikely that you could spend 40 years in the Mormon Church and be ignorant. I think you are searching for answers so you will better know how to proselyte Christians to Mormonism. Please do not waste my time concerning the infallibility of the book of Mormon, the covenants, or the church. I do not believe any of their twisted teaching.
I fully understood your position on that issue. I simply don’t believe that. I will deal with your other lengthily request as I have the time.