Restoring Christ Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels Review

Reviewed by Eric Johnson

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ booklet was produced in 2008 and is evidently used past Mormon missionaries to explicate why a "restoration" of the church of Jesus Christ is needed? This 24-page booklet (measuring 5×7 inches), with ix pages of full-page pictures or illustration, taking upwardly one-third of the space, and appears to be meant to be read in less than xv minutes. Since this is printed by the LDS Church (with the church'south official emblem on the back encompass), we volition quote the booklet word-for-word, providing commentary from an Evangelical Christian perspective.

GOD IS YOUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER

God is your Father in Heaven. He knows yous personally and loves yous more than than you tin can comprehend. He wants you lot to be happy in this life and in eternity. To accomplish this purpose, He provided a plan called the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God; His life and teachings are the guide to peace in this life and joy in eternity.

Equally a Christian, I believe God desires a human relationship with people—that'southward why Jesus came in the kickoff place, to supersede that which sin originally tainted. To say that God "knows you personally," according to Mormonism, is a reference to the Preexistence, or Premortality (encounter here), as all humans were once spirits in a previous sphere. According to LDS teachers, this earth is the 2d estate, a identify where we can have bodies of mankind and bone. Understanding our past (premortal existence), our present (why we are here), and our future (the hope of attaining the celestial kingdom) is stressed in Mormonism.

Depending on what the tract writer meant by "happy," I'k not sure I would hold with this assessment. Certainly God intends for His people to exist fulfilled—John 10:10b says that Jesus desired for the believers to have life and to have it abundantly. There are going to be times, though, when nosotros are not "happy." James writes, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial considering, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12). Tough times will come up, and while nosotros are to ever take joy (cf. Galatians 5:22)—an attitude we are to accept not just for the future but right now—there is no guarantee of bliss and happiness. The biblical writer adds in James 5:10-eleven:

"Brothers and sisters, as an instance of patience in the face of suffering, have the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As yous know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is total of compassion and mercy."

C.South. Lewis says that there are times when pain tin be useful in getting our attention, explaining the following in his volume The Problem of Pain :

"We can ignore even pleasure. Just pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to united states of america in our pleasures, speaks in our censor, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf earth."

THE GOSPEL BLESSES FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

The gospel of Jesus Christ blesses all who accept and alive it. One of the all-time places to teach and apply the gospel is in families. God has established families to bring happiness to His children, to let us to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare u.s.a. to return to Him later on we dice.

In Mormonism, at that place is a maxim that "families are forever." The hope is that a Mormon family—traditionally portrayed in LDS magazines and videos as equanimous of a nuclear family with grandparents, parents, and children—can alive forever in the Celestial Kingdom. As Christians, earthly families are important. However, what is more important from the words of the Bible is for a person to get a member of the family unit of God through belief in His Son and to receive salvation through the forgiveness of sins

The book of Acts describes the early history of the Christian church. For example, Acts 4:12 says that salvation tin can be constitute "in on one else, for there is no other name nether heaven given among men by which nosotros must be saved." Speaking about Jesus, Peter said in Acts 10:42-43, "And he commanded usa to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be estimate of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets show that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Preaching to the Philippian jailer, Paul and Silas explained, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you volition be saved, you and your household." The message in Acts is repeated throughout the Bible, including Romans 10:8-13, Ephesians two:8-x, and 1 John 3:23. Affiliate 11 in Hebrews is very clear in explaining how faith, not works,  justifies a person before God.

Although family relationships tin exist challenging at times, our Heavenly Male parent blesses us as we strive to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. These teachings help u.s. strengthen our families.

We can strive all nosotros want, but we volition never be able to fully keep the commandments of Jesus Christ. Run across hither.

HEAVENLY FATHER REVEALS HIS GOSPEL

As role of His plan, God chooses prophets, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

Prophets:

• Teach about God and are special witnesses of His Son, Jesus Christ.

• Receive revelation, or direction from the Lord.

• Teach the gospel to the world and translate the word of God.

Our Heavenly Begetter has brought dorsum—restored—divine truths that you tin learn and alive. These truths were revealed to prophets from the offset.

Since this pamphlet concerns the "Restoration," we should betoken out that cypher less than a complete apostasy from Christianity necessitates a "restoration."

Prophets receive the priesthood, or the dominance to speak and deed in the name of God to lead His children. People who follow the prophets receive the blessings God has promised. Those who reject the gospel and God's prophets lose those blessings and altitude themselves from God. Those who reject the prophets and carelessness their commitment to follow God are in a condition called apostasy.

Several points must exist made:

1)      In biblical times, priests had to belong to the tribe of Levi, making them dissimilar from prophets. Nevertheless this pamphlet says that "prophets receive the priesthood," which is non historically right.  A prophet could not exist a priest and a priest could non be a prophet. The merely person who held both offices, likewise the ancient Melchizedek, was Jesus Christ Himself. (Run across Genesis chapter 14 and Hebrews chapter vii.)

2)      In biblical times, rejecting the prophets was a sign of disobedience. Mormon leaders want their people to believe that defiance to their teachings is the aforementioned equally abandoning a commitment to follow God. Hence, to exist considered a Mormon in adept continuing, a person must accept the prophet of Mormonism to exist a teacher of truth.

Amazingly enough, heed to this quote given in 1945:

"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God'due south Plan. When they point the fashion, there is no other which is safe. When they requite directions, information technology should mark the finish of controversy, God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without firsthand repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God." (Ward Teachers Message, Deseret News, Church building Department p. 5, May 26, 1945.)

It ought to be pointed out that this quote was also included in the Improvement Era, the official church magazine in that day, in June 1945.

Consider these additional quotes:

"We are most fortunate to have a living prophet at the head of the Church building to guide united states, and all who heed his counsel will be partakers of the promised blessings which volition non be enjoyed by those who fail to accept his messages…Whose side are we on? When the prophet speaks the fence is over" (N. Eldon Tanner, "The Debate is Over," Ensign, August 1979, p. 2).

"God's eternal blessings are contingent upon our obedience and adherence to the word of the Lord that is revealed to united states through His holy prophets" (L. Tom Perry, "We Believe All That God Has Revealed," Ensign (Conference Edition), November 2003, p. 88).

"As we look to the prophets for guidance, we can exist confident that they will not pb u.s.a. astray" (L. Aldin Porter, "Search the Prophets," Ensign, April 2002, p. 31).

"Those who mind to and follow the counsel of living prophets and apostles will not go astray. The teachings of living prophets provide an ballast of eternal truth in a world of shifting values and help avoid misery and sorrow" (Preach My Gospel, 2004, p. 75).

"You tin can ever trust the living prophets" (True to the Organized religion, 2004, p. 129).

"The Lord speaks through His prophet today as surely equally He did in days of former and in days from the Restoration of His Gospel. The words of President Thomas S. Monson are every bit of import, even crucial, for us today as were the words of Moses, Noah, Elijah and other prophets in their dispensations, or of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other prophets in these latter days. Through His prophet today, the Lord has made known to us His will. If nosotros practice as nosotros take been counseled, we will witness more miracles unfold equally missionaries are called to minister amongst peoples of the world who, at the nowadays, are deprived of the gospel's joyful message. May we gather in conference not only to heed to a prophet's voice but also to heed the counsel given through that voice" ("A prophet's counsel," Church News, Oct 25, 2008, p. sixteen).

Even though many of His children take repeatedly rejected Him and His prophets, our Heavenly Father continues to beloved His children. He wants to give us everything we need to exist happy now and to return to Him after we die. The scriptures reveal a blueprint of God repeatedly reaching out to His children, fifty-fifty though we do not always listen:

• God chooses a prophet.

• The prophet teaches the gospel and leads the people.

• God blesses the people.

• The people gradually disregard or disobey the teachings of the prophet. They eventually refuse the prophet and his teachings and fall into apostasy.

• Because of apostasy, people lose knowledge of the gospel. Priesthood authority is taken from amid them.

• When the time is right and people are set to follow Him again, God chooses some other prophet, restores the priesthood and the Church, and directs the prophet to teach the gospel.

According to LDS leaders, the Great Betrayment took place presently after the death of the New Attestation apostles, and the gospel principles were lost.Joseph Smith is referenced in the last bullet point ("God chooses another prophet, restores the priesthood and the Church, and. . . teach(es) the gospel").  He is certainly the cornerstone to the LDS faith.

JESUS CHRIST ESTABLISHED HIS Church

From the fourth dimension of the Cosmos, the children of God looked frontward to the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ. As He had promised, our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth over 2,000 years ago.  Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life. He established His Church, taught His gospel, and performed many miracles. He chose twelve men to be His Apostles, including Peter, James, and John. He taught them and gave them priesthood say-so to teach in His name and to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism.

Mormonism teaches that the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods are necessary for a person to be able to "teach in His name and to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism." Merely males accept the opportunity to go priests in Mormonism. In Christianity, potency is given to all believers through organized religion. Paul writes in Galatians 3:27-29, "For equally many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, at that place is neither slave nor costless, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ'due south, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Speaking to all believers, Peter writes nigh being a holy people in 1 Peter ii. He wrote beginning in poesy 4, "As yous come to him, a living stone rejected past men but in the sight of God called and precious, you lot yourselves like living stones are being built upwardly every bit a spiritual house, to exist a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." And then, a few verses afterward, it says, "Merely you are a called race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God'due south people; once you had not received mercy, just now you have received mercy."

When Jesus established His Church, He received instructions from our Heavenly Father. He and then instructed His disciples. Jesus taught His followers that revelation from God was the rock on which He would build His Church building.

At the finish of His life, Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of everyone who has lived or who will live on world. This cede is chosen the Atonement. Through His suffering, death, and Resurrection, the Savior made it possible for us to be forgiven. Those who have faith in Him, repent, and go on His commandments receive forgiveness of sins and are filled with peace and joy.

Two statements of LDS doctrine are fabricated here:

1)      Jesus died for the sins of everyone, which is called the "Atonement" in Mormonism. Since everyone on this earth chose Jesus in the premortal being, they were given the right to have bodies. This was necessary to progress to one of iii levels of heaven. In Christianity, however, merely those who believe in Him have the right to go children of God. John explains what information technology means to be a kid of God. In i John 2:29 he said, "If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that anybody who practices righteousness has been built-in of him." In 1 John three:1, he said, "Run across what kind of beloved the Father has given to us, that we should exist chosen children of God; and and so we are." Then he says in verse ten, "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not beloved his blood brother."

two)      For forgiveness to be given, a Mormon must have faith, practice repentance, and keep the commandments. Of grade, these commandments must be kept continually, according to D&C 25:15.

Jesus conferred the priesthood on His Apostles.

A claim like this needs to have biblical support. However where does the Bible say that the apostles were given the "priesthood" by Jesus? The just way this could be read into the text is if a person held the presupposition that nobody can teach and cognominate without authority. Hence, eisegesis (reading into the text) takes place rather than exegesis (reading the text and deriving its meaning).

After His Resurrection, Jesus Christ guided His Apostles through revelation. The Bible records many ways in which He continued to direct His Church building (see Acts 10; Revelation 1:ane). Thus the Church of Jesus Christ was led past God and non by men.

This paragraph is exactly right, as God guided the believers (the church building) and provided the leaders revelation to speak authoritatively and write downwardly scripture. Christians believe in revelation, which we telephone call "full general" and "special." Special revelation is the Discussion of God and understanding His principles through proper interpretation.

THE Great APOSTASY

Post-obit the death of Jesus Christ, wicked people persecuted and killed many Church building members. Other Church members drifted from the principles taught by Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The Apostles were killed, and priesthood authority—including the keys to direct and receive revelation for the Church building—was taken from the earth. Because the Church was no longer led by priesthood authority, error crept into Church building teachings. Good people and much truth remained, but the gospel as established by Jesus Christ was lost. This menstruation is called the Bang-up Apostasy.

This apostasy resulted in the formation of many churches with conflicting teachings. During this time, many men and women sought the truth, just they were unable to notice it. Many good people believed in God and Jesus Christ and tried to understand and teach truth, simply they did not accept the total gospel or priesthood authority. As a effect, each generation inherited a state of betrayment as people were influenced past what previous generations passed on, including changes to Christ'due south gospel.

Some inspired people, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, recognized that practices and doctrines had been changed or lost. They tried to reform the churches to which they belonged. Without priesthood authority, nonetheless, Christ'south gospel could not exist returned to its original grade. A restoration was needed.

This pamphlet makes a very serious charge. Information technology says that the gospel was changed soon after the expiry of the apostles. Proof is necessary to validate this claim, nevertheless hither in this article no bear witness is provided. Jesus made it clear that His authorization would never cease. For instance:

Matthew 16:18 – "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I volition build my church building, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Matthew 28:twenty – "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Ephesians 3:21 – "…to him be glory in the church building and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and e'er. Amen."

Ephesians five:22-33 – "Christ loved the church and gave himself upwards for her… He who loves his married woman loves himself. For no i ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes information technology, just every bit Christ does the church, because we are members of his torso."

Martin Luther and John Calvin were, co-ordinate to the pamphlet, "inspired." Inspired by whom? If the apostasy of Christianity was a partial apostasy, then why was a "restoration" even needed? If, as Apostle Bruce R. McConkie put information technology, "the betrayment was complete and universal" (The Millennial Messiah: The 2nd Coming of the Son of Man, p. 425), , then nobody before 1830 must accept been a recipient to God'south inspiration.

LDS leaders throughout the ages accept claimed a "complete" apostasy, including:

Lxx B.H. Roberts: "Nil less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the institution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" (History of the Church 1:Forty).

Campaigner Bruce R. McConkie: "After our Lord's first coming and before his dreadful render, in that location is to be a 24-hour interval of absolute, total, and complete apostasy from the truth. Men are to be left to themselves, wanderers in darkness, without promise and without God in the world" (The Millennial Messiah: The 2nd Coming of the Son of Human being, p. 36).

McConkie: "As we gaze in awe at the grand pic, we see the Lord Jesus ascending from Olivet as angelic witnesses testify that he shall come again in like manner at that identify. From this splendid scene our eyes turn to the nighttime and dire and devilish days when Satan has dominion over his own. We run into false churches, false worship, and false prophets. Iniquity abounds and evil is everywhere. In that location is universal apostasy; darkness covers the globe and gross darkness the minds of the people; it is the evil night that must precede the dawn of the restoration" (The Millennial Messiah: The 2d Coming of the Son of Man, p. 563).

McConkie: "In short, apostasy reigned supreme; it was universal, complete, all pervading. The religion of the lowly Nazarene was no whereto be found. All sects, parties and denominations had gone astray. Satan rejoiced and his angels laughed. Such were the social weather condition of the day" ("Once or Twice in a M Years," Ensign (Reprinted briefing address), Apr 2005, p. 56).

12^th President Spencer Kimball: "This is not a continuous church, nor is information technology i that has been reformed or redeemed. It has been restored afterward it was lost. It was lost – the gospel with its powers and blessings – Quondam subsequently the Savior'south crucifixion and the loss of his apostles. The laws were changed, the ordinances were inverse, and the everlasting covenant was broken that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to his people in those days. There was a long menstruation of centuries when the gospel was not available to people on this earth, because it had been changed" (The Teachings of Spencer West. Kimball, p. 423).

Some LDS leaders have argued that while there was a complete apostasy, in that location "withal were left fragments of truth amidst the children of men, and some measure out of truth give thanks God…it does not follow that nosotros hold that all truth, that all virtue, had departed from the world, or that God had admittedly withdrawn from his creation. Non then" (B.H. Roberts, Defense force of The Faith and The Saints two:561). If you read the quotes above, such equally men being "wanderers in darkness" where "iniquity abounds and evil is everywhere," it doesn't seem like in that location was any room for "fragments of truth."Yet the standards that the Reformers stood for—including "Sola Fides" (salvation past faith alone)—are not upheld by Mormons today, and it was these teachings that supposedly acquired God to say that "all" their teachings were abominations. So besides their opposition to Catholicism, what else exercise these Reformers have going for them?

For a review of a 2013 Ensign article on this issue, run across here.

THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL

In 1820, as He had done throughout history, our Father in Sky over again chose a prophet to restore the gospel and the priesthood to the earth. That prophet'due south name was Joseph Smith. As a immature human being, Joseph was dislocated by the differences amidst the many churches in his area and wanted to know which church was right. Knowing he lacked wisdom, he followed the counsel establish in the Bible, "If whatsoever of you lack wisdom, permit him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James ane:5).

Joseph Smith decided to ask God what he should do. When Joseph prayed to know the truth, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Jesus told Joseph not to join any of the churches, for "they were all wrong" and "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the ability hereof" (Joseph Smith—History 1:19).

James 1:v is taken out of its context. Afterward all, it was speaking about gaining wisdom, not knowledge. Wisdom isthe proper application of noesis. In this verse James tells his Christian audition to enquire God for wisdom when they are undergoing trials and temptations, non for testing diverse truth claims.

If it is possible to examination truth claims via prayer, then each person ought to pray most the claims of every faith, not just the Book of Mormon and Mormonism. Every organized religion's scripture ought to be read and pondered before taking the test. I honestly wonder how many Mormons have prayed about the Koran (Islam)? The Vedas (Hindusim)? The Tripitaka (Buddhism)?  How can the Mormon know the accurateness of Mormonism until he or she personally tests all religions in this way? Though nosotros should well-nigh certainly use prayer to guide the states in our search for truth, it should not be the only litmus test. Hopefully, prayer will lead us to the information we need in gild to make an informed and proper decision.

Nosotros must also enquire if God actually demands that we pray about every choice we accept, determining with our feelings whether or not or decision is the right ane.  Many Mormons might answer "yes." Circumspection is crucial, since it could then be argued that a person should pray about stealing a neighbour'due south automobile or committing adultery with a neighbor's wife. A Mormon may respond, "That's ridiculous." We concur. But when the Bible says to "exam everything" (1 Thess. 5:21) and commends the "noble" Bereans in Acts 17 because the believers searched the Erstwhile Testament later having listened to the apostle Paul, we think praying about the truthfulness of a faith is  not a wise move. Please exercise not go me wrong. I am certainly not suggesting that prayer is invalid. No, it ought to exist the very lifeblood of a professing Christian. But to plow prayer into a magic wand, hoping that the good feelings a person gets about a religion is a reason of validation, is to misuse this very powerful privilege we take been given.

For more exposition on this topic, come across here and here. The LDS picture show chosen The Restoration is besides referenced, which we have reviewed here.

Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Of this experience, he said:

"I saw a colonnade of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . ."When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing higher up me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me past proper name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Joseph Smith—History ane:sixteen–17

The in a higher place paragraph is a pull quote and not office of the main text, simply I want to comment on it. According to these verses found in the LDS Standard Works, Joseph Smith saw God. Continue in mind that there were no other witnesses to this event. In essence, in lodge to have this account, one must put complete faith and trust in Joseph Smith and him alone.

Even if it were possible for Smith to see God, Doctrine and Covenants 84:21–22 explains that the priesthood would have been needed in club for Smith to see Him:

"And without the ordinances thereof, and the potency of the priesthood, the ability of godliness is not manifest unto men in theflesh; For without this no human can see the face of God, even the Male parent, and live."

Melvin J. Petersen, who taught church history and doctrine at Brigham Immature Academy, acknowledged that Smith had no such priesthood in 1820, the year he claimed to take seen God. He was forced to utilize John 1:18 of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible to support the idea that Smith saw God. It reads, "No human hath seen God at whatever time, except he hath bourne record of the Son." ( A Certain Foundation , 79).

In noting this dilemma, Brigham Young University professor Charles R. Harrell states,

"Explanations nearly how Joseph could take seen God before being ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood or having received its ordinances have been varied. Early Mormon brethren who confronted this issue ended that Joseph did concur the priesthood having, in some sense, brought it with him from the preexistence."

Harrell goes on to say, "According to Joseph Fielding Smith, since the priesthood wasn't yet on the earth, young Joseph was exempt from this requirement." ( This Is My Doctrine , p. 146 northward. 65). Saying that Smith had been given the priesthood before his birth seems to be a stretch, especially since Exodus 33:20 makes it very clear that nobody can see God's face and live (with or without the "priesthood").

The Restoration of the Priesthood

In 1829, Joseph Smith received the same priesthood authority that Jesus Christ had given to His Apostles. John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus, appeared to Joseph Smith and conferred on him the Aaronic Priesthood,  or lesser priesthood. Peter, James, and John (three of Jesus Christ'south original Apostles) later on appeared to Joseph Smith and conferred on him the Melchizedek Priesthood, or college priesthood.

Mormonism is based on the male member'southward dominance, which comes through the priesthood. There are two types of priesthood in the LDS faith: the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. When we compare these offices with what is described in the Bible, the difference is apples and oranges.

The spiritual significance of the Aaronic, or Levitical, priesthood concluded with the death of Christ. The term priest refers to a person who stands up for another person/people, acting equally a mediator in his cause. The Old Attestation priest stood in the gap for the people and offered beast sacrifices to atone for their sins. Mormon males who claim to agree the Aaronic priesthood do not offer animal sacrifices; thus, their office is not a restoration of the original, every bit church building leaders would like the public to believe.

Furthermore, Doctrine and Covenants 107:16 specifically states, "No human being has a legal right to thisfunction, to agree the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron." This warning sounds like to that found in Numbers 3:10, which states, "And k shalt engage Aaron and his sons, and they shall await on their priest's function: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."

However, it is not a modern LDS requirement for a Mormon priesthood holder to trace his family unit roots dorsum to Aaron, the blood brother of Moses. Because the LDS Church stresses genealogical research in social club to vicariously baptize for the dead, it would seem their leaders should know improve than to claimsuch a priesthood for themselves.

The biblical Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18–20), who was the king of Salem as well as a priest of God, is a mysterious figure in Scripture. He blessed Abram, and Abram tithed to him. Nobody beside Melchizedek held the positions of both priest and rex until Jesus came. Hebrews seven:21 declares that Jesus is "a priest for ever after the gild of Melchizedec."  Poetry 24 adds that Jesus has "an unchangeable priesthood." Hebrews 7:2–3 describes this club:

"Commencement being past interpretation King of righteousness, and later on that too King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor stop of life; but fabricated like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."

Christ met these qualifications. He is both Righteousness and Peace (cf. Eph. 2:fourteen; 1 John 3:7). As the Discussion who became flesh (John ane:fourteen), He continues His advocacy equally the Christians' priest. In fact, the Bible says that Christians are complimentary to directly approach the throne of God and pray according to His proper noun. As ane Timothy 2:5 puts information technology, "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the human being Christ Jesus."

The New Testament does not support the idea that the Aaronic or Melichizedek priesthoods are necessary for humans; instead, Christians have say-so every bit "children of God" through their belief. Contrasting Christians with the rest of the "globe" (who "knew him [God] non"), ane John iii:1 says,

"See what kind of love the Begetter has given to us, that we should exist chosen children of God; and so we are." Paul distinguished betwixt "children of the flesh" and "children of God" in Romans 9:8. Galatians 3:26 says it is "by faith in Christ Jesus" that believers become children of God, while John 1:12 says that "as many as received him, to them gave he power to go the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

A royal priesthood is provided to all Christian believers. Offset Peter 2:nine–x states that Christians "are a called generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people . . . [who] now have obtained mercy." Even though Christians are priests in this spiritual fashion, they are called to offer themselvesas "living cede[s]" to God (Rom. 12:1). As holders of this priesthood, believers are allowable to stand up and intercede for people, not to offer claret sacrifices for the cleansing of their sins but to pray that they might turn to the one who cleanses from sin, namely, Christ Jesus.

After he received priesthood potency, Joseph Smith was directed to organize the Church of Jesus Christ again on the earth. Through him, Jesus Christ again called Twelve Apostles.

Just as Jesus Christ led His Apostles through revelation after His Resurrection, He continues to direct the Church today through living prophets and apostles. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-twenty-four hour period Saints is the chosen prophet of God today. He, his counselors, and the Twelve Apostles hold the priesthood authority held by all the prophets and apostles of previous times. These men are prophets, seers, and revelators.

This religion is not only authority-based merely leadership-based too. According to this booklet, we are supposed to trust Joseph Smith, the founder of this religion. Equally stated before, we should trust the prophet and the other leaders as well. What they say, goes, regardless of how their words might contradict the Bible.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

As part of the Restoration of the gospel, God brought forth the Book of Mormon: Some other Testament of Jesus Christ. By the ability of God, Joseph Smith translated this book from an ancient record written on gold plates. The Book of Mormon is "a record of God'southward dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, every bit does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel" (introduction to the Volume of Mormon).

There are many assumptions that must be fabricated in the above paragraph to accept these words as true, including

one)      In that location was actually a universal apostasy requiring the need for a "restoration"—for refutation of this merits, see here.

2)      God's power brought along the Volume of Mormon—for refutation of this merits see here.

3)      The Book of Mormon is an aboriginal record—for refutation of this claim, see hither and here.

4)      It was written on gilt plates—for the weight of the plates, see here.

5)      In that location were ancient inhabitants called Nephites and Lamanites—for refutation of this, see here.

half dozen)      The Book of Mormon is the fullness of the everlasting gospel—for refutation of this claim, come across here and here.

The Book of Mormon is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. It helps us understand His teachings, including those in the Bible. The Volume of Mormon is disarming evidence of the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. Y'all can know for yourself that the Volume of Mormon is true. To gain this knowledge, you must read it, ponder its message, and desire to know if it is true. You must ask your Heavenly Father to confirm that information technology is His discussion. Equally you practice so, He will reveal to yous through the Holy Ghost that it is true.

While nosotros dealt above with the topic of praying about a organized religion, and while nosotros don't want to minimize the experience of our LDS friends, nosotros demand to farther point out that the rules accept been rigged since the prayer'south request actually has but one answer. After all, the investigator who declines the invitation to pray may be defendant of not believing in prayer. On the other hand, those who concur to pray just don't receive the "right" reply volition probably be idea of equally not having a sincere center, real intent, or adequate faith, as Moroni 10:4-five (quoted in a pull quote on this same page) puts information technology.

There is a psychological edge that the Mormon missionaries take when someone agrees to praying nigh the Volume of Mormon. After all, the investigator may eventually go the "right" answer in an try to please the missionaries, close family unit members, or friends who have come to the aforementioned conclusion. In the cease, one'southward good feelings may win the day, even if the object of the prayer is false.

At i fourth dimension or another, all of us have been fooled by our feelings, no matter how sincere we might take been. For example, Mormons believe that marriage is not only for life but as well for eternity. Should information technology exist assumed that the many Mormon couples who are divorced did not pray nearly their relationships beforehand? Surely knowing information about another person that could accept exposed potential behavior problems—such as drug addiction, sex addiction, pornography issues, inwards aloofness to God,or repressed anger—would accept helped with making a more than informed decision. Nevertheless how many Mormons must have "felt" God's blessing in relationships that were tragically doomed from the start?

The Bible makes it very clear that subjective feelings can exist deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The eye is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know information technology?" Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death," while Proverbs 28:26 adds that just fools trust in their heart. Because everyone is a fallen and sinful creature, it is possible to be swayed by emotions and desires. To believe something is truthful only because one feels it to be trueis no guarantee of truth. Jesus commanded His followers in Mark 12:30 to honey God "with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy listen, and with all thy force." Paul explained in 2 Timothy two:fifteen that the believer must brand the effort to study in order to correctly understand truth. In the next chapter (iii:16–17), he added that all Scripture given by inspiration of God is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for pedagogy in righteousness" so that the man or woman of God might exist competent and equipped to benefit works.

While it is true that faith does involve believing things that can't exist proven, it is foolishness to believe something that has already been disproven. If the Bible disproves a spiritual truth claim, information technology must exist rejected.

As you come up to know that the Book of Mormon is true, you lot will as well come to know by the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a prophet and apostles today.

The supposition is that a person will "come up to know that the Book of Mormon is true." Only what about the person who doesn't come to know this? If this person not displaying real faith? Equally stated above, this is an unfair test with unfair psychological pressure placed on the prospective convert.

HOW CAN I KNOW?

You can know this bulletin is true. If you ask your Heavenly Father in prayer, you can receive an answer from Him through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is likewise called the Spirit of God, and one of His roles is to witness, or testify, of the truth.

This knowledge can exist miraculous and life changing, but it normally comes as a quiet assurance, without spectacular displays of God's power. The Holy Ghost confirms the truth through feelings, thoughts, and impressions. Equally taught in the Bible, "The fruit of the Spirit is beloved, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance" (Galatians five:22–23). These feelings from the Holy Ghost are personal revelation to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through Joseph Smith is true. You volition then demand to choose whether you lot will live in harmony with the knowledge you have received.

These words are nothing more than than pure psychological manipulation. Feelings, as nosotros have said, cannot be trusted as the primary indicator of truth. For more data on why this is truthful, see here.

I will skip the "List of Terms" that follows on pages 18-xix since I take linked to MRM's assay of these terms where each of these words was used.

ADDITIONAL STUDY

The following questions and scriptures will help you learn more virtually the principles in this pamphlet and ponder on them. The list is not comprehensive; footnotes and cross-references in the scriptures volition directly you to additional passages and resources.

What does information technology mean to y'all that God is your Heavenly Male parent?

Malachi 2:10 (Bible, Quondam Testament)

Hebrews 12:9–10 (Bible, New Attestation)

Malachi 2:ten says, "Do we non all have one Begetter? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors past being unfaithful to one another?"

Hebrews 12:nine-x says, "Moreover, nosotros take all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Male parent of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a piddling while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our expert, in lodge that nosotros may share in his holiness."

As a Christian, I take no problem with these verses. They certainly don't teach about a God as defined past Mormonism. My problem is that a prospective convert may have a hard time agreement that there are differences between the God of the Bible and the God of Mormonism. If you lot are somebody thinking almost converting to Mormonism, consider this commodity: God the Father According to Mormonism

What is the function of a prophet? Why is it important to know that God speaks to prophets?

Amos 3:7 (Bible, Onetime Testament)

Jacob 4:4–6 (Book of Mormon, page 124)

Amos 3:seven says, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does aught  without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." Prior to this merits, God asked if information technology is possible for 2 to walk together unless they are in agreement (v. three). He then gave several rhetorical questions that tin exist answered only in the negative (vv. iv–six). Mormons usually insist that verse 7 is a general rule, implying that the New Testament church will be led by a living, mortal prophet who will reveal the Lord's "secrets" to the church. However, the context of this passage is speaking of impending danger and judgment upon the nation of Israel for the people's iniquities (encounter 5. ii).

In other words, God used mortal men to warn theocratic Israel on His behalf. To disobey a prophet in the Erstwhile Testament often resulted in judgment and penalisation. Their words were considered final, administrative, and, ultimately, binding. Goose egg is unsaid in the Amos passage that this refers to the governmental function of a prophet living in mail service-Old Testament times. In fact, Christian theologian Wayne Grudem notes,

"In that location is no convincing evidence that New Attestation prophets in their role as prophets e'er governedearly churches through 'charismatic leadership' by means of prophetic declarations about the direction of the church. This theory is based on some people'south ideas of how the church 'must have' or 'could accept' developed, but information technology is not supported by the facts of the New Attestation itself." ( The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today , 160).

Grudem points out that the role of a New Testament prophet is quite different from that of the Quondam Testament prophet:

"It is not surprising, then, that when we read the New Attestation we find several times when the apostles are connected with the One-time Testament prophets, but New Testament prophets, past contrast, are never connected with Sometime Testament prophets in the same style." (Ibid, p. 28).

Though the LDS Church claims to exist a restoration of how things were done in aboriginal times, the insistence that there can be only i "living prophet" whose potency is above all others is not consistent with the didactics of scripture. For instance, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians xiv:29 that when two or iii prophets spoke, those who heard them were allowed to weigh, or judge, what was said. How were they to exist judged? Grudem explains,

"Equally a prophet was speaking, each member of the congregation would listen carefully, evaluating the prophecy in the calorie-free of the Scripture and the administrative didactics that he or she already knew to be true." (Ibid, p. 57)

In one Thessalonians half-dozen:21, Paul told the Thessalonian believers that they should not despise prophecies but were to show, or test, "all things; hold fast that which is adept." Obviously this would include prophetic utterances.

What does it mean to have priesthood authority? How does someone receive this authorisation?

Matthew 10:i (Bible, New Testament)

John 15:sixteen (Bible, New Testament)

Matthew 10:i says, "Jesus chosen his twelve disciples to him and gave them authorization to bulldoze out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

John fifteen:xvi says, "You did not cull me, but I chose you and appointed yous so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—so that whatever y'all ask in my name the Father will give you."

It is a complete leap to say that these verses back up the idea that "priesthood" was required for "authority." God gives the laic say-so to do His piece of work. A person does not have to accept the priesthood (again, something only those in the line of Aaron could have) or the imprimatur of a certain church. The just qualification to receiving this authorization is having forgiveness for your sins.  As Acts ten:43 says, "All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

What happens when that authority is lost?

Amos 8:eleven–12 (Bible, Old Testament)

1 Nephi 13:24–29 (Book of Mormon, pages 25–26)

Amos eight:xi-12 says,

"'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, simply a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to eastward, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will non find it.'"

This passage is referring to the time of the Old Testament and the life of Christ, who was portrayed as the presenter of Truth yet many would not listen. Jesus bemoaned this unfortunate fact in Matthew 23:37-39:

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, y'all who kill the prophets and rock those sent to y'all, how often I accept longed to gather your children together, every bit a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were non willing. Wait, your house is left to yous desolate. For I tell you lot, you lot will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the proper noun of the Lord.'"

Equally stated earlier, the Bible certainly does not allow for a "complete" apostasy, for Jesus promised He would be with His people "always."

Did Jesus's Apostles know that an betrayment would occur?

Acts 20:28–31 (Bible, New Testament)

2 Thessalonians two:2–three (Bible, New Testament)

2 Timothy 4:3–iv (Bible, New Testament)

Acts 20:28-31 says,

"Go on watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made y'all overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his ain claret.  I know that after I get out, savage wolves will come in amidst you and will non spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and misconstrue the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So exist on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."

Certainly in that location would be apostasies, as several other biblical passages teach this. For example, i Timothy 4:i says, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will carelessness the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." The context here (and elsewhere) is that "some" would leave the faith, but not "all."

ii Thessalonians 2:ii-3 says,

"…not to become hands unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from usa—whether past a prophecy or by word of mouth or past letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive yous in whatsoever way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness  is revealed, the man doomed to destruction."

Observe the ellipsis at the beginning of this quote. In context, this passage suggests naught near an apostasy that would take identify later on the deaths of the disciples. Instead, verse 1 refers to the 2d Coming of Jesus. Unless the Mormon wants to argue that the Second Coming has already taken place, then this verse cannot be used to testify that a complete betrayment took place some 1900 years ago.

Finally, 2 Timothy 4:iii-iv says,

"For the fourth dimension will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to conform their own desires, they will get together around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will plough their ears abroad from the truth and plough aside to myths."

This poesy is fulfilled today in many unlike religions, especially those that claim to be "Christian" such as the Jehovah'south Witnesses and, yep, the Mormon Church. Doctrine so often becomes a secondary issue when people decide which church building to bring together. Information technology'south a tragic mistake.

What does it mean to y'all that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith?

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pamphlet)

It doesn't mean annihilation to a Bible-believing Christian because the gospel was never lost and thus a restoration was never needed.

What is the Book of Mormon? How is it a witness of Joseph Smith'southward calling equally a prophet?

Volume of Mormon title folio

Book of Mormon introduction

The Book of Mormon is a fictional book that many believe is historical.  Even so, the historical and archaeological evidence betoken to the fact that there were no such thing as Nephites and Lamanites and that Joseph Smith's testimony has too many flaws. For a series of articles on Joseph Smith, come across here.

What is the role of the Holy Ghost?

Alma 5:45–47 (Volume of Mormon, folio 221)

Moroni 10:three–5 (Book of Mormon, page 529)

Co-ordinate to John sixteen:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide yous into all the truth. He volition not speak on his own; he volition speak merely what he hears, and he volition tell y'all what is yet to come up." Those who are led by the Holy Ghost/Spirit and test the claims of the Mormon Church volition soon find out that there are many imitation prophets who are nada more wolves dressing up as sheep. We are told to "exam everything" (1 Thess. 5:21) and to "examination the spirits" (one John 4:1) rather than but emotionally accepting any old gospel. My prayer for yous, reader, is that yous will rely on the Holy Spirit and test Mormonism rather than merely accepting this religion based on nothing more than your emotional feelings.

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Source: https://www.mrm.org/the-restoration

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