O nome oficial é a Igreja e Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias mas é frequentemente chamada de Igreja "Mormon", e seus membros são, em geral, tratados no mundo como "mórmons" ou "santos dos últimos dias". A Igreja foi organizada em 6 de Abril de 1830, no Estado de Nova York.
A sede da Igreja está localizada na Cidade de Lago Salgado (Salt Lake City), no Estado de Utah. É de lá que as milhares de congregações em todo o mundo são supervisionadas, por meio de escritórios de área (veja "Organização").
A Igreja dá grande ênfase à união familiar e desenvolvimento pessoal. Coloca em lugar de destaque a educação e administra numerosas escolas, faculdades, seminários e institutos de religião. Mantém um programa de bem-estar vital, um sistema missionário sem igual e organizações de âmbito mundial para homens, mulheres, jovens e crianças.
A doutrina básica de A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias é a de que Jesus Cristo é o Filho de Deus, o Pai Eterno. Esse Jesus de Nazaré, cujo nascimento foi proclamado por um anjo do Senhor e por um grande exército celestial (Lucas 2:8-14), é o Salvador do Mundo, o Messias e Redentor de toda a humanidade e o único mediador entre Deus e o homem mortal.
Cristo viveu, morreu e foi literalmente ressuscitado. Profetas do Velho Testamento previram, e o Novo Testamento confirma sua missão divina.
Fé no Senhor Jesus Cristo é o primeiro princípio do evangelho. Como um antigo profeta americano declarou:
"porque trabalhamos diligentemente para as escrever, a fim de persuadir nossos filhos e nossos irmãos a acreditarem em Cristo e a se reconciliarem com Deus... E falamos de Cristo, nos regozijamos em Cristo, pregramos a Cristo, profetizamos de Cristo e escrevemos de acordo com as nossas profecias, para que nossos filhos saibam em que fonte devem procurar o perdão de seus pecados... E agora, pois, eu vos digo que o caminho reto é acreditar em Cristo, e não o negar; e Cristo é o Santo de Israel; deveis, portanto, inclinar-vos diante dele e adorá-lo com toda a vossa força, mente e poder, e com toda a vossa alma..." (Livro de Mórmon, 2 Néfi 25: 23, 26, 29.)
A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias não possui clero profissional. Membros leigos são escolhidos como oficiais locais e regionais e não são pagos por seus serviços. As Autoridades Gerais da Igreja têm seus escritórios centrais na Cidade de Lago Salgado. Elas são dirigidas pelo Presidente da Igreja, que é considerado pelos membros um profeta de Deus. A Primeira Presidência compreende o Presidente e seus dois conselheiros. Abaixo da Primeira Presidência em autoridade, está o Quorum dos Doze Apóstolos.
Outras Autoridades Gerais incluem os membros do Primeiro e do segundo Quoruns dos Setenta e um Bispado Presidente composto por três homens que supervisionam os assuntos temporais da Igreja.
As principais subdivisões geográficas da Igreja são chamadas de áreas, havendo uma subdivisão em regiões e missões dentro das áreas, estacas dentro das regiões, e distritos dentro das missões. as congregações são alas e ramos dentro de estacas, e ramos dentro de distritos.
Um lider eclesiástico, membro de um dos Quoruns dos Setenta, preside cada área, auxiliado por dois conselheiros também escolhidos de um desses quoruns.
As Autoridades de Area auxiliam as Autoridades Gerais da Igreja a treinar os oficiais da estaca. Um presidente e dois conselheiros presidem cada estaca e distrito, e um bispo e dois conselheiros presidem cada ala. Cada ramo é liderado por um presidente e dois conselheiros. Um presidente, auxiliado por seus conselheiros e por sua esposa, dirige cada missão.
Todo o membro da Igreja tem o direito de votar em todos os oficiais e sugestões administrativas apresentadas pelas autoridades locais ou gerais.
O Sacerdócio é a autoridade para agir em nome de Deus. Um membro do sexo masculino digno, com 12 anos ou mais, pode receber um ofício no sacerdócio.
As mulheres não são ordenadas ao sacerdócio, na Igreja, mas são organizadas segundo o modelo do sacerdócio, na organização de mulheres (Sociedade de Socorro) e trabalham nos conselhos de governo da Igreja. As mulheres servem como missionárias, proferem discursos e orações nos serviços de adoração e em outras reuniões, ocupam posições administrativas e de ensino em todos os níveis e servem de várias outras formas.
O sacerdócio tem duas subdivisões principais: Melquisedeque, ou Sacerdócio Maior, e Aarônico, ou sacerdócio Menor. Os três quoruns, ou unidade, do scerdócio Aarônico são de diáconos, mestres e sacerdotes. os quoruns do Sacerdócio de Melquisedeque são de élderes e sumos sacerdotes. Cada quorum do sacerdócio tem determinadas responsabilidades para servir aos membros da Igreja.
A unidade básica da Igreja é a família. A Igreja ensina que o casamento é sagrado e que os convênios do templo podem unir a família por toda a eternidade (veja "Templos").
Devido a esse interesse em fortalecer e estabilizar o lar, a Igreja é explícita na oposição às influências negativas sobre a familia.
A Igreja incentiva o estudo do evangelho e actividades familiares no lar, e a maioria das actividades são dirigidas à família. Há muitos anos, a Igreja encoraja a realização semanal de noites familiares, onde cada familia deve estudar os princípios do bom viver e aconselhar-se sobre os assuntos do lar. Também participam juntos de actividades recreativas e cultuaris, que fortalecem os laços de união e oferecem oportunidades sadias. A Igreja prepara ainda manuais que auxiliam os pais a planear noites familiares interessantes e significativas.
A Igreja também ajuda as familias por meio de programas de "mestres familiares" e "professoras visitantes". Como representantes do bispo ou do presidente do ramo, portadores do sacerdócio chamados "mestres familiares" vão em duplas a todo o lar santo dos últimos dias ao menos uma vez por mês. Eles levam mensagens de inspiração, orientação e boa vontade às familias, e também agem como representantes dos líderes eclesiásticos, sempre que os recursos da Igreja puderem ser usados no auxílio a famílias com problemas.
Como resultado de uma revelação recebida por Joseph Smith (o primeiro profeta e presidente da Igreja restaurada) em 1833, A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias tem, desde essa época, um código de saúde conhecido como A Palavra de Sabedoria. A Igreja dá ênfase especial a uma dieta à base de cereais, vegetais e frutas, e recomenda que a carne seja consumida com moderação. Prega também a absitinência do fumo, de bebidas alcoólicas, café, chá qualquer outras substâncias prejudiciais à saúde. Os santos dos últimos dias são também ensinados sobre a importância de manter o corpo saudável e puro, por meio de exercícios físicos e obediência estrita a altos padrões de moral. Esse estilo de vida acentua a saúde física e mental.
Os membros da Igreja usam o Velho e Novo Testamento da Bíblia Sagrada. Aceitam também como escritura o Livro de Mormon - Um Outro Testamento de Jesus Cristo, um registo religioso e secular de civilizações americanas antigas (veja "História Inicial da Igreja").
Os dois outros volumes de escrituras da Igreja são: Doutrina e Convênios, que é uma compilação de revelações seleccionadas, dadas a Joseph Smith e subsequentes presidentes da Igreja, e Pérola de Grande Valor, que contém outras revelações, traduções e pronunciamentos selecionados, de Joseph Smith.
O tremendo crescimento da Igreja é devido grandemente a um activo programa missionário organizado nos Estados Unidos e em muitos outros países. Todo ano, milhares de rapazes, moças e casais aposentados voluntáriamente aceitam chamados para tornarem-se missionários de proseletismo por um período de até dois anos. As despesas normalmente correm por conta de cada um, mas frequentemente recebem ajuda financeira da família ou de amigos. Quando o serviço termina, eles voltam para suas ocupações ou faculdades.
Médicos, enfermeiras, nutricionistas e técnicos da área médica são também chamados como missionários para países em desenvolvimento, onde o programa de serviços de saúde da Igreja enfatiza o cuidade médico preventivo. Além disso, a Igreja ocasionalmente chama artífices, artesãos e supervisores de construção para treinar e dirigir os membros locais no programa de construção da Igreja em todo o mundo. Técnicos em agricultura também são chamados para servir em algumas áreas. Outras designações incluem pesquisa de história da família, ordenanças do templo e treinamento de liderança.
A Igreja possui uma das maiores bibliotecas genealógicas do mundo. Sob a direção do departamento de História da Família, a Igreja e seus membros têm reunidos milhões de volumes, contendo registos de nascimento, casamento, morte e outros. Hoje, centenas de milhões de registos microfilmados estão disponíveis para pesquisa. A biblioteca é aberta ao público e está situada nos arredores da histórica Praça do Templo (que tal uma viagem pela Praça do Templo?), no centro da Cidade de Lago Salgado em Utah. Há também centenas de centros de história da família espalhados pelo mundo.
Cópias dos registos estão protegidas num depósito subterrâneo escavado sob uma sólida montanha de granito, numdesfiladeiro, perto da Cidade de Lago Salgado. A caverna protege permanentemente estes valiosos registos de qualquer catástrofe natural e preserva-os em condições apropriadas de armazenagem.
Para a devida apreciação da ênfase da Igreja em genealogias, é necessário compreender a importância da família na vida dos santos dos últimos dias. Os mórmons que obedecem aos ensinamentos de Cristo podem entrar para um convênio de casamento que dura não apenas até a morte, mas que continua eternamente. Esses casamentos eternos são celebrados nos templos da Igreja.
A Igreja ensina também que aqueles que morrerem sem ter tido um conhecimento verdadeiro do Evangelho de Jesus Cristo, podem ser batizados em um templo vicáriamente. Essas ordenanças vicárias do templo, incluindo batismo e selamento, abrem caminho aos que morreram sem um conhecimento pleno do evangelho, para aceitarem os seus princípios salvadores e participarem das ordenanças necessárias. Os vivos reúnem as informações principais sobre seus ancestrais, a fim de que os mortos recebam todas as bençãos do evangelho.
As alas e ramos da Igreja possuem capelas e outros edifícios, nos quais os membros podem adorar aos domingos e frequentar outras reuniões durante a semana (ver Capelas em Portugal). Os templos da Igreja, porém, são reservados para ordenanças sagradas, como casamento e batismo (ver História da Familia) e somente os membros fiéis da Igreja podem entrar nesses edifícios sagrados, situados em muitas partes do mundo.
Como seguidores de Cristo, os santos dos últimos dias acreditam em auxiliar as pessoas que precisam de ajuda. A Igreja, por meio da Divisão de serviço Humanitário, apóia os esforços humanitários realizados pelo mundo, colaborando frequentemente com governos locais e organizações cívicas. A Igreja tem prestado ajuda internacionalmente, em resposta a situações como fomo, doenças, guerras, terramotos, inundações, furacões e outras. A Igreja também administra um fundo para projectos de pesquisa de saúde infantil. Missionários e membros trabalham voluntáriamente por todo o mundo em áreas como cuidados com a saúde, abrigos temporários para pessoas sem casa, locais onde são servidas refeições aos necessitados, programas de alfabetização, desenvolvimento infantil, actividades para a juventude, esforços de ajuda a refugiados, dentre outras. Os membros de todo o mundo são incentivados a auxiliarem a resolver as necessidades específicas de suas comunidades, contribuindo com tempo, talentos e apoio financeiro. Projectos de serviço comunitário são incentivados em todas as unidades da Igreja, como prova de amor ao próximo e à comunidade onde vivemos.
A música é uma parte importante da vida cultural dos santos dos últimos dias. Todas as congregações cantam, e muitos corais e outros grupos instrumentais e de canto são organizados para jovens e idosos. O mais famoso de todos esses conjuntos de canto da Igreja é o mundialmente conhecido Coro do Tabernáculo ("Mormon Tabernacle Choir"), da Cidade de Lago Salgado, com um grupo de 325 vozes, iniciado pouco depois que os primeiros pioneiros chegarm ao Vale do lago Salgado, em 1847.
O Coro do Tabernáculo é o mais conhecido por suas apresentações dominicais na CBS, nos Esatdos Unidos. O programa "Music and the Spoken Word" que se originou na Praça do Templo, na Cidade de Lago Salgado, tem sido uma tradição na rádio desde 1929, e também é transmitido por muitos canais de televisão. O coro também é conhecido por seus discos, entre eles uma gravação popular do "Battle Hymn of the Republic", que ganhou o prêmio Grammy.
As temporadas artísticas há anos têm levado o Coro do tabernáculo a todo o mundo, Ele tem cantado nas grandes salas de concerto da Europa, México, Brazil, Canadá, Japão, Russia e Estados Unidos e também já se apresentou para muitos presidentes dos Estados Unidos, nas cerimônias de posse e na Casa Branca.
Està prevista uma apresentação do coro na Exposição Mundial de Lisboa, a "Expo 98".
A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias foi organizada em 6 de Abril de 1830, em Fayette, Nova York. Entre os seis primeiros membros estava Joseph Smith, primeiro profeta e presidente da Igreja restaurada.
Joseph Smith nasceu no dia 23 de dezembro de 1805, em Sharon, Vermont, nos Estados Unidos. Em 1820, sua família estava vivendo na zona rural da comunidade de Palmyra, Nova York, quando um despertar religioso varreu a área. Confuso pelos conflitantes apelos das várias crenças, o jovem, de quatorze anos, retirou-se para um bosque, perto da quinta da família, e orou por orientação. Foi ali que teve a visão de dois personagens que se identificaram como Deus, o Pai, e seu Filho, Jesus Cristo. A Joseph foi dito qua não se filiasse a nenhuma das igrejas existentes, e que, casa se provasse digno, seria um instrumento na restauração da Igreja originariamente organizada por Jesus Cristo, Igreja esta que havia desaparecido da terra devido à apostasia. Esta restauração deveria cumprir uma profecia bíblica.
Em 1823, Joseph foi mandado, por um mensagueiro celestial chamado Morôni,
a um monte perto de palmyra. Lá mostrou a Joseph placas de ouro
que continham a história secular e religiosa de uma antiga civilização
americana. Quatro anos mais tarde, Joseph teve permissão para tirar
as placas da
colina
e traduzi-las para o inglês. O volume traduzido, que leva o nome
de um dos antigos profetas e historiadores que havia guardado os registos,
foi publicado como o Livro de Mórmon. O apelido da Igreja "Mórmon",
vem do título deste livro sagrado.
O Livro de Mórmon contém a história de várias civilizações da América antiga, entre cerca de 2200 a.C. e 420 d.C. O volume inclui um relato do ministério de Jesus Cristo no continente americano, depois de sua ressurreição. (Interessado em obter um examplar gratuito do Livro de Mormon?)
Perseguição
Apenas alguns meses após a organização da Igreja, a perseguição forçou a Igreja a mudar-se de Nova York. A sede foi estabelecida em Kirtland, Ohio, onde o primeiro templo da Igreja foi construído em 1836. Antes que se passasse muito tempo, a crescente perseguição levou os membros a se dirigirem ainda mais para o oeste.
De Ohio, o corpo principal da Igreja mudou-se para o Missouri, e mais trade para Illinois, onde, em 1839, a Igreja estabeleceu a comunidade de Nauvoo, a qual, com cerca de 11000 habitantes, era a maior cidade de Illinois na época. Sob a liderança de Joseph Smith, belas residências, prósperas fazendas e negócios floresceram quase como por encanto naquela área anteriormente não desejada e que havia sido apenas terra pantanosa. Os "santos", como eram chamados, iniciaram a construção de um magnífico templo e, por um curto período, viveram em paz.
O Martírio de Joseph Smith
Depois desse pequeno intervalo, a perseguição aos santos dos últimos dias começõu novamente. Acusações infundadas logo levaram à busca e prisão de Joseph Smith e seus colaboradores mais próximos. Em 24 de Junho de 1844, o profeta mórmon e seu irmão Hyrum foram levados para a cadeia de Carthage, Illinois, onde vários outros se juntaram a eles, voluntáriamente. Embora o governador de Illinois tivesse prometido protegê-los, uma populaça forçou a entrada da cadeia três dias depois e assassinou Joseph e Hyrum.
No devido tempo, Brigham Young, que presidia o Quorum dos Doze Apóstolos, sucedeu Joseph Smith como presidente da Igreja. Turbas continuaram a atacar, colheitas foram queimadas, lares destruídos, o novo templo profanado, e o povo ameaçado de extermínio. Em 1846, os membros da Igreja foram forçados a atravessar o gelado rio Mississipi em busca de segurança. Eles começaram a atravessar as vastas planícies rumo às Montanhas Rochosas, 2200 Km adiante.
Quando os pioneiros mórmons chegaram ao Grande Vale do lago Salgado, encontraram um deserto estéril. Eram mais de 1600 Km de distância do povoado mais próximo no leste, e 1200 Km do Oceano Pacífico. Quando o corpo principal dos pioneiros chegou a seu destino, nas Montanhas Rochosas, o verão já estava na metade, e as sementes tinham que ser plantadas, para que eles tivessem alimentos no próximo inverno. A água foi desviada das correntes do desfiladeiro para amaciar o solo ressecado e proporcionar humidade para jardins e campos; desta maneira, os mórmons inauguraram projectos de irrigação em larga escala para a comunidade.
Na primavera seguinte, os pioneiros colheram os primeiros cereais. dentro de poucos anos, aquela vastidão desèrtica se tornou um vale verde e viçoso, com árvores, casas e fazendas, cumprindo para eles a promessa de um antigo profeta, de que "o ermo exultará e florescerá como a rosa" (Isaías 35:1)
Quatro anos após a chegada no Vale do lago Salgado, os membros da Igreja já estavam construindo povoações em todo o Oeste. Estabeleceram vilas e cidades onde agora é o Arizona, sul do Canadá, Califórnia, Idaho, Novo México, norte do México e Wyoming. Por volta de 1857, já haviam fundado 135 comunidades, com uma população total de 75.335 pessoas. Em 1887, as colônias abrangiam uma área de 2200 Km, do Canadá ao México. os pioneiros estabeleceram, ao todo, mais de 600 comunidades.
1. Cremos em Deus, o Pai Eterno, e em seu Filho, Jesus Cristo, e no Espírito Santo.
2. Cremos que os homens serão punidos pelos seus próprios pecados e não pela transgressão de Adão.
3. Cremos que, por meio do sacrifício expiatório de Cristo, toda a humanidade pode ser salva pela obediência às leis e ordenanças do evangelho.
4. Cremos que os princípios e ordenanças do evangelho são: primeiro, fé no Senhor Jesus Cristo; segundo, arrependimento; terceiro, batismo por imersão para remissão dos pecados; quarto, imposição das mãos para o dom do Espírito santo.
5. Cremos que um homem deve ser chamado por Deus, pela profecias e pela imposição das mãos, por quem possua autoridade para pregar o evangelho e administrar as suas ordenanças.
6. Cremos na mesma organização existente na Igreja Primitiva, isto é, apóstolos, profetas, pastores, mestres, evangelistas, etc.
7. Cremos no dom das línguas, profecia, revelação, visões, cura, interpretação de línguas, etc.
8. Cremos ser a Bíblia a palavra de Deus, o quanto seja correcta sua tradução; cremos também ser o Livro de Mórmon a palavra de Deus.
9. Cremos em tudo o que Deus tem revelado, em tudo o que ele revela agora, e cremos que ele ainda revelará muitas grandes e importantes coisas pertencentes ao Reino de Deus.
10. Cremos na coligação literal de Israel e na restauração da dez tribos; que Sião será construída neste continente (o americano); que Cristo reinará pessoalmente sobre a terra, e que a mesma será renovada e receberá a sua glória paradisíaca.
11. Pretendemos o privilégio de adorar a Deus, Todo-Poderoso, de acordo com os ditames da nossa consciência, e concedemos a todos os hoemens o mesmo privilégio, deixando-os adorar como, onde, ou o que quiserem.
12. Cremos na submissão aos reis, governadores e magistrados, na obediência, honra e manutenção da lei.
13. Cremos em ser honestos, verdadeiros, castos, benevolentes, virtusos e em fazer o bem a todos os homens; na realidade, podemos dizer que seguimos a dmoestação de Paulo - Cremos em todas as coisas e confiamos em todas as coisas, temos suportado muitas coisas e confiamos na capacidade de tudo suportar. Se houver qualquer coisa virtuosa, amável ou louvável, nós a procuraremos.
Joseph Smith, 1842
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Reuniões dominicais entre as 9:30 e as 13:00Hrs. É bem vindo!
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Para
mais informações sobre os ensinamentos da Igreja e para obtenção
de um Livro de Mormon -Um outro Testamento de Jesus Cristo contacte:
Missão Lisboa Norte: Rua Jorge Barradas, 14 C , 1500 Lisboa (Tel: 7603369/77- Fax: 7603437)
Missão Lisboa Sul: Lg. Cmdt. Augusto Madureira, 7B, 1495 Algés (Tel: 4102064/7449 -Fax: 4102085)
Missão Porto: Rua Amália de Luazes, 23, sala 1, 4200 Porto (Tel: 02-521575/1675 - Fax: 02-5504426)
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Centro de Serviços de Portugal (assuntos admnistrativos da Igreja):
Rua Ferreira de Castro 10, Miratejo, 2855 Corroios
Michael T. Griffith
Which church is the true church of Jesus Christ? Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS or Mormon Church) proclaim with soberness that their church is that very church, the true church of Christ restored to the earth, in all its pristine glory and with all its original power and authority.
What follows is a list of 41 points by which the true church of the Savior can be identified. Only the LDS Church contains all 41 points. These points can be found in the Bible, and, as demonstrated in One Lord, One Faith, are supported by the writings of the early Christian fathers.
POINT #1: Three Separate Deities in the Godhead
POINT:
The earliest Christians taught that the Godhead was composed of three separate and distinct personages, God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The ancient saints viewed each member of the Godhead as a distinct divine being, who was separate from and worked in unison with the other members of the triad.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 3:16-17: When Jesus is baptized, the Spirit of God descends on him like a dove, and the voice of the Father is heard to say, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 12:31-32: Words spoken against Jesus may be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.
Matthew 18:10: Jesus says that the angels of little children "do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 26:39-42: Jesus submits to the Father's will.
John 14:26: The Father will send the Holy Ghost in Christ's name.
John 17: Jesus prays to the Father.
2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."
Ephesians 1:3, 17; John 20:17; Matthew 27:46: 2 Corinthians 11:31; Peter 1:3: The Father is the Savior's "God."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1978).
2. Keith Norman, "Ex Nihilo: The Development of the Doctrines of God and Creation in Early Christianity," BYU Studies (Spring 1977), pp. 309-318.
3. B.H. Roberts, The Mormon Doctrine of Deity (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, reprint of original 1903 edition).
4. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 29-51.
5. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 herein.
POINT #2: Father and Son Have Tangible Bodies
POINT:
The Bible teaches us that the Father and the Son have glorified tangible bodies.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image. . . ."
Genesis 5:1: ". . .God created man, in the likeness of God made he him."
Exodus 24:9-11: Moses and seventy elders of Israel saw Jehovah standing on a paved work of sapphire.
Matthew 18:10: ". . . their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
John 6:46: The Father has been seen by "he who is from God" (RSV).
Acts 7:55-56: Stephen saw Christ on the right hand of the Father.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 247-252, 323-324.
3. David Paulsen, "Early Christian Belief in a Corporeal Deity: Origen and Augustine as Reluctant Witnesses," Harvard Theological Review (volume 83, number 2, 1990), pp. 105-116.
4. David Paulsen, "Must God Be Incorporeal?", Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers (volume 6, number 1, January 1989), pp. 76-87.
5. B.H. Roberts, The Mormon Doctrine of Deity (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, reprint of original 1903 edition).
6. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 29-51.
POINT #3: Father and Son Are "One" in Purpose, Not in Essence
POINT:
The "oneness" of the Father and the Son consists of their being in such perfect agreement that to see and work with one is to see and work with the other. This is the true nature of their unity. The New Testament teaching that Jesus and his Father are "one" does not support the idea that they are one and the same deity of one undivided substance.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
John 10:30: "I and my Father are one."
John 14:9: Jesus says, "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 99, 202-216, 248-249, 251-252, 319-324.
3. B.H. Roberts, The Mormon Doctrine of Deity (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, reprint of original 1903 edition).
4. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 29-51.
POINT #4: Jesus is Subordinate to the Father
POINT:
The New Testament teaches that Jesus is subordinate to his Heavenly Father, and that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct individuals. Heavenly Father has given the Savior power equal to his own in almost every respect. The Father is the supreme member of the Godhead.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:10-11: The Father speaks of his Son: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 20:23: Jesus cannot designate who will sit on his right hand and who will not. This is for the Father alone to decide.
Matthew 24:36: Jesus does not know the exact time of the second coming. Only the Father possesses this information.
Matthew 28:18: After the resurrection, Jesus declares that "all power" has been "given" to him.
John 5:19: The Son can do nothing of himself. He can do only what he sees the Father do.
John 8:28: Jesus says, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."
John 8:29: Jesus always does those things which please the Father.
John 14:28: Jesus says, "My Father is greater than I."
1 Corinthians 11:3: The head of Christ is God.
Philippians 2:5-11: In his pre-mortal life, Jesus did not think it was robbery to be equal with God. The Father has highly exalted Christ and has bestowed on him "the name which is above every name" (RSV).
Ephesians 1:3, 17; John 20:17; Matthew 27:46: 2 Corinthians 11:31; 1 Peter 1:3: The Father is the Savior's "God."
Colossians 1:19: It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in Christ.
1 John 2:1: Christ is our advocate with the Father.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 99, 202-216, 248-249, 251-252, 319-324.
3. B.H. Roberts, The Mormon Doctrine of Deity (Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, reprint of original 1903 edition).
4. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 29-51.
5. Chapters 9 and 10 herein.
POINT #5: Early Church Fathers Affirm Christ's Subordination
POINT:
Like the New Testament, the writings of the early church fathers clearly affirm that Jesus is subordinate to Heavenly Father and that they are two separate and distinct beings.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 231-271.
2. Keith Norman, "Ex Nihilo: The Development of the Doctrines of God and Creation in Early Christianity," BYU Studies (Spring 1977), pp. 309-318.
3. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 62-69, 80-89.
POINT #6: Jesus is the Savior of the World
POINT:
The New Testament teaches us that Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. The ancient saints proclaimed this truth without reservation. The LDS Church reaffirms that Jesus is our Savior. Without his atoning sacrifice, salvation would not be possible. Were it not for his painful death and glorious resurrection, the dead would forever remain in their graves.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 1:21: Jesus shall save his people from their sins.
John 3:16-17: God sent his Son to save the world.
Acts 13:23: God raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21: Jesus, who was sinless, has been made to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ephesians 5:2: Christ gave himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God on our behalf.
Philippians 3:20: We look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 5:8-9: Though Jesus was a Son, being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him.
Hebrews 10:10-12: We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:1-2: Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:14: The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, Thirty-Fourth Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1962).
POINT #7: Jesus is Jehovah
POINT:
The Bible teaches us that Jesus is Jehovah (Yahweh), the God of the Old Testament. If Jesus is Yahweh, then Heavenly Father must be Elohim.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Jesus and Jehovah are the Same Person
The fact that Jesus is Jehovah can be seen by comparing what the Old Testament says about Jehovah with what the New Testament says about Christ. The two testaments are clearly talking about one and the same person:
Old Testament (OT): Jehovah
New Testament (NT): Christ
1. OT: Jehovah told Moses to tell the children of Israel, "I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)
1. NT: In referring to himself and his own preexistence, Jesus says, "Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)
2. OT: Yahweh accompanied the children of Israel in their exodus from Egypt. (Deuteronomy 1:32-33)
2. NT: Christ accompanied the children children of Israel in their exodus from Egypt. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
3. OT: Yahweh, the LORD, is the Rock of the children of Israel. (Deuteronomy 1:32-33; 32:3-4)
3. NT: Paul says Christ was the Rock that guided the children of Israel. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)*
4. OT: Jehovah will "judge the world with righteousness." (Psalm 96:13)
4. NT: All judgment has been committed to the Son. (John 5:22-23)
5. OT: Jehovah is the Savior. (Isaiah 43:3, 11; Hosea 13:4)
5. NT: Jesus is the Savior. (Luke 2:11; Philippians 3:20; 1 John 4:14)
6. OT: Jehovah is the Redeemer. (Isaiah 48:17)
6. NT: Redemption is in Jesus. (Romans 3:24)
7. OT: Yahweh is the first and the last. (Isaiah 44:6)
7. NT: Christ is the first and the last. (Revelation 1:17)
8. OT: Every knee will bow and every tongue will swear to Yahweh. (Isaiah 45:23)
8. NT: Paul cites Isaiah 45:23 and identifies Christ as the one to whom all will bow and confess. (Romans 14:10-11)
9. OT: There is no Savior beside Yahweh. (Hosea 13:4)
9. NT: Christ is the only name by which we can be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)
10. OT: They will look upon Jehovah whom they have pierced. Zechariah 12:10)
10. NT: Christ was pierced while hanging on the cross. (John 19:34-37)
* Note: The identification of Christ as the Hebrews' Rock can also be found in the writings of the early church fathers (Roberts and Donaldson 1:84, 235; 4:432; 5:360; Sparks 277).
Heavenly Father is Christ's "God"
Matthew 27:46: ". . . Jesus cried with a loud voice . . . My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
John 20:17: Jesus says to Mary, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
2 Corinthians 11:31: "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not."
Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . ."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Otto Eissfeldt, "El and Yahweh," Journal of Semitic Studies, volume 1 (1956), pp. 25-37.
3. Eugene Seaich, Ancient Texts and Mormonism (Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, 1983), pp. 2-22.
4. Eugene Seaich, Mormonism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Texts (Murray, Utah: Sounds of Zion Publishing, 1980), pp. 21-26.
POINT #8: Jesus is the Father's "Firstborn"
POINT:
In the New Testament the Savior is called the "firstborn." This term refers to the fact Jesus was the firstborn of our Heavenly Father in a preÄmortal spirit existence.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Numbers 16:22: "God is the God "of the spirits of all flesh."
Colossians 1:15: Christ is "the firstborn of every creature."
Hebrews 1:6: God brought "the firstbegotten [i.e., Christ] into the world" and said, "Let all the angels worship him."
Hebrews 3:1-2: "Therefore, holy brothers, sharers in the heavenly calling, direct your attention to Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to the one who made him, just as was also Moses in his house" (AB).
Hebrews 12:9: God is "the Father of our spirits" (NIV).
Hebrews 12:23: ". . . the general assembly and church of the firstborn. . . ."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 81-86, 149-151.
POINT #9: Jesus Created the World Under the Father's Direction
POINT:
The Savior's ancient church taught the biblical truth that Jesus created this world (and the other planets in our solar system) under the Father's direction.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
2 Kings 19:15: Yahweh (Christ) made "heaven and earth."
Isaiah 42:5: ". . . God the LORD . . . created the heavens and stretched them out . . . [and] stretched forth the earth. . . ."
Isaiah 44:24: "Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things. . . ."
Ephesians 3:9: God "created all things by Jesus Christ."
Hebrews 1:1-2: God "made the worlds" by Jesus.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, Thirty-Fourth Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1962), pp. 32-33.
POINT #10: World Was Created from Preexistent Matter, Not EX NIHILO
POINT:
The ancient Hebrews and the earliest Christians understood that the world was created from preexistent matter, and not "out of nothing" (ex nihilo). There are several verses in the Bible which teach or strongly imply creation from already existing material.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 1:1-2: "When God set about to create heaven and earth--the world being then a formless waste with darkness over the seas. . . ." (AB).
2 Peter 3:5: "In taking this view they [scoffers] lose sight of the fact that there were heavens and earth long ago, created by God's word out of water and with water" (NEB).
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Keith Norman, "Ex Nihilo: The Development of the Doctrines of God and Creation in Early Christianity," BYU Studies (Spring 1977), pp. 291-309.
2. Daniel Peterson, "Does the Qur'an Teach Creation Ex Nihilo?", in John Lundquist and Stephen D. Ricks, editors, By Study and Also By Faith, volume 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1990), pp. 584-591. In addition to discussing creation teaching in the Quran, Peterson also examines creation doctrine in ancient Judaism and early Christianity, showing that they did not teach creation out of nothing.
3. Luis Stadelmann, The Hebrew Conception of the World (Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 1970).
POINT #11: Man's Pre-Mortal Existence
POINT:
The Bible and ancient Jewish and Christian writings contain many references to the fact that we lived with our Heavenly Father as his spirit sons and daughters in a pre-mortal existence.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Ecclesiastes 12:7: "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (RSV).
Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (RSV).
John 9:2: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (RSV) The disciples asked the Savior this question about a blind man they had just seen.
Ephesians 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. In Christ he chose us before the world was founded" (NEB).
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 262-266, 275-276, 307 n 43, 346-350.
2. James L. Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 44-49.
3. R.G. Hamerton-Kelly, Pre-Existence, Wisdom, and the Son of Man (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press, 1973).
4. Joseph Fielding McConkie, "Premortal Existence, Foreordinations, and Heavenly Councils," in C. Wilfred Griggs, editor, Apocryphal Writings and the LatterÄday Saints (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 1986), pp. 173-198.
5. Hugh Nibley, "Treasures in the Heavens," in Truman Madsen, editor, Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 1978), pp. 49-84.
POINT #12: Man Can Attain Godhood
POINT:
One of the most important doctrines of the early Christian church was that we have the potential to become like our Heavenly Father, that is, to attain Godhood.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 5:48: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Romans 8:16-17: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
2 Corinthians 3:18: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Peter 1:4: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
1 John 3:2: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
Hebrews 12:22-23: In the heavenly Jerusalem there are "the spirits of just men made perfect."
Revelation 2:26-27: "To him who is victorious, to him who perseveres in doing my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--that same authority which I received from my Father--and [quoting Psalm 2:9] he shall rule them with an iron rod, smashing them to bits like earthenware" (NEB).
Revelation 3:21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Phillip Barlow, "Unorthodox Orthodoxy: The Idea of Deification in Christian History," Sunstone (September/October 1983), pp. 13-18.
2. Keith Norman, "Divinization: The Forgotten Teaching of Early Christianity," Sunstone (Winter 1975), pp. 15-19.
3. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 75-81.
POINT #13: The Apostasy of the Ancient Church
POINT:
As the prophets had foretold, the Savior's ancient church and gospel were eventually taken from the earth because of wickedness and apostasy. The authority to act in the name of God was withdrawn from among men. By no later than the fifth century A.D., the Lord's true church no longer existed on the earth. This falling away had been predicted in the scriptures.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
The Apostasy Foretold
Matthew 21:43: Jesus said, "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation, bringing forth the fruits thereof."
"Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit" (NAB).
Acts 20:29-30: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the second coming] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
2 Timothy 4:2-4: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
2 Peter 2:1-2: "But there were false prophets also among the people [of ancient Israel], even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
Revelation 13:7: "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."
The Apostasy in Progress Toward End of New Testament Era
1 Corinthians 1:11: Contentions among the saints.
1 Corinthians 3:3: Envying, strife, and divisions among the saints.
Galatians 1:6-9: Paul tells the Galatians, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed unto another gospel."
Galatians 3:1: Paul wonders why the Galatians won't "obey the truth."
1 Timothy 1:6: Some have already turned to "vain jangling."
2 Timothy 1:15: Paul laments the fact that "all they which are in Asia be turned away from me."
1 John 2:18: ". . . even now there are many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
1 John 4:1: ". . . many false prophets are gone out into the world."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 367-378.
2. James L. Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition).
5. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 199-204.
POINT #14: The True Church and Gospel Restored
POINT:
The New Testament authors knew that the Lord's true church and gospel would be restored to the earth prior to the Savior's second coming.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Isaiah 2:2: In the last days, the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains.
Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. . . ."
Acts 3:19-21: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
Ephesians 1:10: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 266-271.
2. Joseph Fielding McConkie, His Name Shall Be Joseph: Ancient Prophecies of the Latter-day Seer (Salt Lake City, Utah: Hawkes Publishing, 1980).
4. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 33-40, 221-235.
POINT #15: Only One True Church
POINT:
The ancient saints taught that there was only one true church of Jesus Christ. In fact, several early Christian writers even declared that outside the true church there was no salvation.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Acts 2:47: "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (NKJV).
1 Corinthians 1:13: "Is Christ divided?"
Ephesians 4:4: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 3-6, 72-114.
POINT #16: The Need for Prophets
POINT:
The Bible teaches us that God has always worked through prophets to communicate knowledge and instruction to his people.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Numbers 11:29: "Moses said, "Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them."
Deuteronomy 18:15: The LORD will raise up a prophet.
Judges 6:8: The LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel.
Jeremiah 23:18-22: In condemning some false prophets, Jeremiah says, "But who [among the false prophets] has stood in Yahweh's council and seen and heard his word . . .? I sent not these prophets, yet they ran. I spoke not to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, they'd proclaim my words to my people. . . ." (AB)
"For who among them [the false seers] has stood in the council of the LORD to perceive and to hear his word. . . ? I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people. . . ." (RSV)
Amos 3:7: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants, the prophets."
"Surely the Lord God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets" (RSV).
Matthew 10:40-41: Jesus said, "He that receiveth you [the disciples] receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."
Acts 3:22-23: Peter: "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people."
Ephesians 2:19-20: The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 4:11-14: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Joseph Fielding McConkie, "Premortal Existence, Foreordinations, and Heavenly Councils," in C. Wilfred Griggs, editor, Apocryphal Writings and the LatterÄday Saints (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 1986), pp. 185-186.
2. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 90-91, 136-140.
POINT #17: The Necessity of Priesthood Authority
POINT:
The early Christians believed in the necessity of priesthood authority. They taught that one could not simply take it upon himself to administer to the saints. Rather, one had to be called and ordained to the priesthood by the laying on of hands by those in the church who had the authority to do so. To the ancient saints, being able to trace their line of priesthood authority back to the apostles, and through them to the Savior himself, was very important. Similarly, the ancient Hebrews also believedin the absolute necessity of proper priesthood authority.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Exodus 18:13-26: The people came unto Moses to inquire of God. Moses taught the Israelites about the laws of God.
Exodus 28:41: The priests were anointed and consecrated.
Numbers 27:18-23: Moses presented Joshua to the congregation. Moses then laid his hands on Joshua and gave him a charge as the Lord had commanded.
Deuteronomy 34:9: Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon him.
2 Chronicles 26:18: Uzziah is told that it is not his place to burn incense unto the Lord. This duty belonged to the priests.
Haggai 1:12: The people obeyed the voice of Haggai the prophet because the Lord had sent him.
Matthew 16:19: The Savior gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter, so that whatever Peter bound or loosed on earth was also bound or loosed in heaven.
Mark 3:14-15: "And he [Jesus] ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils."
Luke 9:1-2: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
Luke 10:1: "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."
John 15:16: Jesus said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Acts 6:5-6: "And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
Acts 13:1-4: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."
1 Timothy 4:14: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [an assembly of elders]."
Titus 1:5: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."
Hebrews 5:1-4: "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984,reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 88-114.
2. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 179-189.
POINT #18: Two Orders of the Priesthood
POINT:
There were two orders of the priesthood in the ancient Christian church. There was the higher priesthood, which was the Melchizedek Priesthood, and there was the lesser priesthood, which was the Aaronic Priesthood.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 14:18: Melchizedek was the priest of the most high God.
Leviticus 3: Some of the duties of the Aaronic priesthood in Old Testament times.
Numbers 25:10-13; Exodus 40:15: The Aaronic priesthood is an "everlasting" priesthood.
Nehemiah 13:29: The priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood.
Luke 9:1-2: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
Luke 10:1: "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."
John 15:16: Jesus said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
Hebrews 3:1: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 5:4: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
Hebrews 5:5-6: "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
Hebrews 5:10: "And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 209-215.
2. S. Kent Brown, "The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Mormon Perspective," BYU Studies (Winter 1983), pp. 56-57.
3. James Carver, "Answering An Ex-Mormon Critic," Mormon Miscellaneous Response Series (Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, 1983), pp. 15-16.
POINT #19: Church Organization and Offices
POINT:
The New Testament makes it clear that the true church of Jesus Christ must have the same organization and officers that existed in the Savior's church, including apostles, prophets, elders, bishops, seventies, and deacons.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Exodus 24:9-11: Seventy elders of Israel.
Deuteronomy 27:1: The elders of Israel.
Amos 3:7: God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets.
Luke 6:13: Jesus chose twelve men, whom he called apostles.
Acts 13:1-3: Prophets and teachers in the church.
Acts 14:21-23: Elders ordained in every church.
Acts 15:4-6: The apostles and elders came together.
Ephesians 2:19-20: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
Ephesians 4:11-14: Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, etc., etc.
Philippians 1:1: Bishops and deacons.
1 Timothy 3:1: The office of a bishop.
1 Timothy 5:17: The ruling elders.
Titus 1:5: Elders to be ordained in every city.
Titus 1:7: A bishop must be blameless.
1 Peter 5:1-3: Elders.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 129-160.
2. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 198-216.
POINT #20: A Lay Clergy
POINT:
In the Savior's ancient church, local priesthood leaders served without pay. Bishops, elders, and other local church officials were not salaried.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 10:8: Jesus tells his disciples, "Freely have ye received, freely give."
Acts 20:33-34: Paul says, "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel."
1 Corinthians 9:18: Paul preached the gospel "without charge."
1 Peter 5:1-3: The elders are not to minister "for filthy lucre."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Daryl Chase, Christianity Through the Centuries (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1947), p. 31.
2. Bo Reicke, The Epistles of James, Peter, and Jude, The Anchor Bible (Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1964), p. 129.
POINT #21: Members Called Saints
POINT:
nbsp;The members of the Lord's true church were called "saints."
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Acts 9:13: The saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 1:7: The members of the church in Rome were "called to be saints."
Romans 15:26-27: Contributions for "the poor saints" at Jerusalem.
Ephesians 4:11-14: Church leaders are called "for the perfecting of the saints."
Philippians 1:1: A salutation "to all saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philipi. . . ."
Colossians 1:2: A salutation "to the saints."
Revelation 13:10: "The patience and faith of the saints."
POINT #22: Missionary Work Vital
POINT:
The early Christian church believed it was imperative to spread the gospel. The New Testament instructs members of the church to be zealous in doing missionary work.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 4:19: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Mark 16:15: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
1 Corinthians 9:16: Paul said, "woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel."
2 Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word. . . ."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 240-252.
POINT #23: Prophets and Apostles
POINT:
The New Testament church had prophets and apostles who received current revelation for the guidance and welfare of the saints and for the benefit of all mankind.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish. . . ."
Amos 3:7: God will do nothing without revealing his secrets to his servants the prophets.
John 10:4: The sheep follow Jesus because they know his voice.
John 16:13: The Spirit will show us things to come.
Acts 11:12: Peter was prompted by the Spirit to go with a group of people.
Acts 15:28: The apostles were guided by the Holy Ghost "to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things."
Acts 16:6: Paul and his companions were instructed by the Holy Ghost not to preach the gospel in the province of Asia.
1 Corinthians 14:6: "Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or prophecy or teaching?" (RSV)
Ephesians 1:17-18: Paul prays that the saints will be blessed with a spirit of "wisdom and of revelation."
Revelation 19:10: The testimony of Jesus "is the spirit of prophecy."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 51-53, 66-67, 327-328, 412.
2. Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert Millet, Sustaining and Defending the Faith (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1985), pp. 33-38.
POINT #24: Church Can Clarify or Supersede Previous Scripture
POINT:
The Savior's ancient church believed it had the right to supersede, revise, add to, or provide additional insight about existing scripture. The Lord's prophets have always possessed this prerogative.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Jeremiah 36:28-32: Baruch wrote all the words Jehoiakim had burned, "and many similar words were added to them" (RSV).
Acts 15: The apostles overrule an important provision of the Law of Moses.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Paul Achtemeier, The Inspiration of Scripture (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Westminster Press, 1980), pp. 62-67, 82-93.
2. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 51-53.
6. Kirk Holland Vestal and Arthur Wallace, The Firm Foundation of Mormonism (Los Angeles, California: The LL Company, 1981), pp. 33-43.
POINT #25: Additional Scripture
POINT:
Just as the Lord used his ancient apostles and prophets to bring forth scripture, so he has used his latter-day prophets to provide us with additional scripture for our blessing and benefit. In fact, the Bible prophets knew that in the latter days more scripture would be brought forth. This latter-day scripture does not replace the Bible but rather increases our knowledge and understanding of it.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Isaiah 29: A sealed book is to come forth. It will be presented to one who is "unlearned." It will be as a voice speaking out the ground, or as one whispering "out of the dust." It will be a record of a destroyed people. The book will surpass the wisdom of "wise men." It will enable mankind to have a better understanding of God and salvation. The book will be a part of A Marvelous Work and a Wonder performed by the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:15-20: Two "sticks," i.e., books, are spoken of, one for Judah and the other for Joseph.
2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is inspired and profitable.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Paul Achtemeier, editor, Harper's Bible Dictionary (San Francisco, California: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1985), pp. 110-112.
2. James Barr, Beyond Fundamentalism: Biblical Foundations for Evangelical Christianity (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Westminster Press, 1984), pp. 41-50.
6. Keith Meservy, "Discoveries at Nimrud and the 'Sticks' of Ezekiel," Newsletter and Proceedings of the Society for Early Historic Archaeology, Number 142 (November 1978), pp. 1-10.
7. Keith Meservy, "Ezekiel's Sticks," Ensign (September 1977), pp. 22-27.
10 . Kirk Holland Vestal and Arthur Wallace, The Firm Foundation of Mormonism (Los Angeles, California: The LL Company, 1981), pp. 45-50.
POINT #26: A Day of Rest
POINT:
In the ancient church, the saints set aside one day of the week as a day of rest and spiritual nourishment. This day was the Sabbath, the "Lord's day." The church held weekly worship services on this day. The church taught its member to refrain from participating in ordinary leisure activities, and to avoid working, buying, and selling if at all possible on the Lord's day.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Exodus 20:8-10: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates."
Exodus 31:13: " . . . Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."
Deuteronomy 5:12: "Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee."
Isaiah 58:13-14: "If thou turn away . . . from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD. . . ."
Matthew 12:8: "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day."
Acts 20:7: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them. . . ."
Revelation 1:10: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. . . ."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. D.A. Carson, editor, From Sabbath to Lord's Day: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Investigation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982).
2. Ralph P. Martin, Worship in the Early Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), pp. 76-82.
3. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 335-339.
4. B.H. Roberts, The Lord's Day, Missionary Pamphlet (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1974, reprint).
POINT #27: The Law of Tithing
POINT:
The Bible teaches that God's true covenant people will obey the law of tithing. A "tithe" is one-tenth of what we earn. In other words, faithful members of the Lord's church will donate oneÄtenth of their earnings to the church for the building up of God's kingdom here on the earth.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 14:17-20: Abraham "gave tithes of all."
Leviticus 27:30: "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD."
Deuteronomy 14:22: "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year."
2 Chronicles 31:5: ". . . and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly."
Malachi 3:8: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
Malachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 367-379.
2. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 435-439.
POINT #28: The Sacrament
POINT:
In the ancient Christian church, the Lord's Supper (i.e., the Sacrament) was blessed and passed to the saints at one of the church's Sunday meetings. The Sacrament was intended only for worthy members of the church.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 26:26-29: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Luke 22:15-20: "And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat hereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves."
1 Corinthians 11:23-30: Paul discusses the Sacrament and the danger of partaking of it unworthily.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 107-109.
2. Samuele Bacchiocchi, Wine in the Bible (Berrien Springs, Michigan: Biblical Perspectives 1989).
3. James L. Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 73-76.
POINT #29: Persecution
POINT:
The Lord's true church has always been persecuted to varying degrees by evil men and organizations.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
Luke 6:22-23: "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
2 Timothy 3:12: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Leonard Arrington and Davis Bitton, The Mormon Experience, Vintage Books Edition (New York: Vintage Books, 1980), pp. 3-184.
4. Robert Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (London: Yale University Press, 1984).
POINT #30: Cross Not Used as Religious Symbol
POINT:
The early Christian church did not use the cross as a religious symbol.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Matthew 27:32: "And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross."
Matthew 27:39-42: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, he saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him."
Mark 15:32: "Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, which we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him."
Philippians 2:8: "And being found in fashion as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. . . ."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 131-133.
2. Ralph Woodrow, Babylon Mystery Religion (Riverside, California: Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association, 1981), pp. 48-52.
POINT #31: Good Works Essential for Salvation
POINT:
The Savior's ancient church taught that good works were essential for salvation. To the early Christians, "grace" was the opportunity for salvation made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They specified that unless believers did their part by living good Christian lives they would not be saved in the Father's kingdom.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Jeremiah 17:10: "I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings" (RSV).
Matthew 7:21-24: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lo rd, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."
Matthew 10:22: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
"You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved" (NAB).
John 14:15: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Romans 2:5-10: ". . . he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, buy obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good. . . ."
Romans 2:13: "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified" (RSV).
Philippians 2:12: ". . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."27
2 Timothy 2:19b: "And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Hebrews 5:8-9: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
Hebrews 10:26: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
James 2:24-26: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 4:17: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Revelation 2:26: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 177-187, 272-276, 355-362.
2. Robert L. Millet, By Grace Are We Saved (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1989).
3. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 138-147.
4. Chapter 34 herein.
POINT #32: The Necessity of Baptism
POINT:
The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that baptism is absolutely essential for salvation. The necessity of baptism was one of the most important and clear-cut doctrines of ancient Christianity.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Luke 7:29-30: "And all the people that heard him [Christ], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."
John 3:5: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Acts 2:37-38: "Now when they heard this [Peter's preaching], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James L. Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 165-174.
2. Ralph P. Martin, Worship in the Early Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), pp. 98-109.
POINT #33: No Infant Baptism
POINT:
The earliest Christians did not believe in baptizing infants. In addition, they did not believe in inherited or original sin. They taught that we are punished for our own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 4:7: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. . . ."
Acts 2:37-39: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Revelation 20:12: John the Revelator saw the final judgment is vision, in which ". . .the dead were judged . . . by what they had done" (RSV).
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James L. Barker, Apostasy from the Divine Church (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1984, reprint of 1960 edition), pp. 175-185.
2. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 133-137.
3. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 52-73, 124-128.
POINT #34: Moral Cleanliness
POINT:
The ancient Christian church taught its members to live morally clean lives. The church opposed sexual sin and perversion, and it warned that adulterers and the like would not be permitted to live with Heavenly Father.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Romans 1:24: "Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves" (RSV).
Romans 1:26-27: "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with their passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error" (RSV).
Romans 13:9: ". . . Thou shalt not commit adultery. . . ."
Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Colossians 3:5-6: "Then put to death those parts of you which belong to the earth--fornication, indecency, lust, foul cravings, and the ruthless greed which is nothing less than idolatry. Because of these God's dreadful judgment is impending" (NEB).
1 Thessalonians 4:2-4: "For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1972).
POINT #35: Church Has Spiritual Gifts
POINT:
The Savior's ancient church possessed spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, etc. The early Christians saw spiritual gifts as evidence that God was working through and blessing his people.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Mark 16:16-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Acts 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
1 Corinthians 12:4-10: There are many spiritual gifts in the church. They all come from the same spirit. These gifts include faith, healing, miracles, and prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:1: "Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (RSV).
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20: "Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying" (RSV).
SUGGESTED READING:
1. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Forty-Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pp. 217-235.
POINT #36: Church Possesses Higher Teachings
POINT:
Christ's ancient church possessed extra-biblical (or "higher") teachings and ordinances that were reserved for those members who were deemed ready and worthy to receive them.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
1 Corinthians 2:6-7: "Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification" (RSV).
1 Corinthians 3:1-2: "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready" (NIV).
2 Corinthians 12:1-4: While caught up to Paradise, Paul "heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter" (RSV).
"He heard inexpressable things, things that man is not permitted to tell" (vs. 4, NIV).
Hebrews 9:5: "Above the chest [in the Jerusalem temple] were the cherubim of the Glory overshadowing the place of atonement. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now" (NIV).
1 John 2:20: "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know" (RSV).
1 John 2:27: ". . . the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him" (RSV).
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Roger J. Adams, The Iconography of Early Christian Initiation, Church Educational System Special Project (Salt Lake City, Utah: Unpublished manuscript, 1977, copy in my possession).
2. Ian Barber, What Mormonism Isn't: A Response to the Research of Jerald and Sandra Tanner (Auckland, New Zealand: Pioneer Books, 1981), pp. H/1-H/2.
3. C. Wilfred Griggs, "The Origin and Formation of the Corpus of Apocryphal Literature," in C. Wilfred Griggs, editor, Apocryphal Writings and the Latter-day Saints (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1986), pp. 35-52.
4. William Hamblin, "Aspects of an Early Christian Initiation Ritual," in John Lundquist and Stephen Ricks, editors, By Study and Also By Faith, Volume 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1990), pp. 202-221.
5. Hugh Nibley, Mormonism and Early Christianity (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1987), pp. 10-167, 355-390.
6. Hugh Nibley, Since Cumorah, Second Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book and F.A.R.M.S., 1988), pp. 55-135.
7. Hugh Nibley, "What is a Temple?" in Truman Madsen, editor, The Temple in Antiquity (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 1984), pp. 19-38.
8. Blake Ostler, "Clothed Upon: A Unique Aspect of Christian Antiquity," BYU Studies (Winter 1982), pp. 31-45.
9. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 111-117.
POINT #37: Marriage for Eternity
POINT:
The Bible teaches that men and women can be married for all eternity, and that families can be together forever.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Genesis 2:18: "The LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man [Adam] should be alone; I will make him a helper [Eve] fit for him'" (RSV).
Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh" (RSV).
Ecclesiastes 3:14: "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever. . . ."
Matthew 16:19: "And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be found in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
1 Corinthians 11:11: "Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."
Ephesians 3:14: "For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named" (RSV).
1 Peter 3:7: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Revised and Enlarged Edition (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1976), pp. 188-201.
2. Eugene Seaich, Ancient Texts and Mormonism (Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, 1983), pp. 75-83.
3. Eugene Seaich, Mormonism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Texts (Murray, Utah: Sounds of Zion, 1980), pp. 32-47.
POINT #38: Spirit World
POINT:
The Savior's ancient church taught that after death we go to live in the spirit world, where we shall remain until we are resurrected. The ancient Hebrews also believed in an abode for departed spirits. This doctrine is evidenced in a number of places in the Bible.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Luke 16:22-23: "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."
1 Peter 3:18-20: The gospel taught to the spirits in the prison part of the spirit world.
1 Peter 4:6: The gospel is taught to the dead so that they will be judged "according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 214, 406-407.
2. Hugh Nibley, Mormonism and Early Christianity (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1987), pp. 115-121.
3. Chapter 41 herein.
POINT #39: Gospel Preached in Spirit World
POINT:
The earliest Christians taught that the gospel was preached in the spirit world, and that those who died without hearing the gospel in this life would have that opportunity in the spirit realm.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
John 5:25: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
1 Peter 3:18-20: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
1 Peter 4:6: The gospel is taught to the dead so that they will be judged "according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 214, 406-407.
2. Edward T. Jones, "A Comparative Study of Ascension Motifs in World Religions," in Spencer J. Palmer, editor, Deity and Death (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, 1978), pp. 89-99.
3. Robert Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Life Beyond (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1986), pp. 155-165.
4. Hugh Nibley, Mormonism and Early Christianity (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1987), pp. 115-121.
POINT #40: Baptism for the Dead
POINT:
The New Testament church practiced the ordinance of baptism for the dead, whereby living individuals were baptized on behalf of those who did not have the opportunity to receive this rite in mortality.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Zechariah 9:11: ". . .by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water."
1 Corinthians 15:29: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
Hebrews 11:40: "God having provided some better thing for us, that they [the dead] without us should not be made perfect."
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 125-127, 403-415.
2. Hugh Nibley, Mormonism and Early Christianity (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company and F.A.R.M.S., 1987), pp. 100-167. These pages constitute chapter three, which is entitled "Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times."
3. Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, Utah: Aspen Books, 1992), pp. 108-110.
POINT #41: All Will Be Resurrected
POINT:
The Bible teaches that all mankind will be resurrected. Several early Christian writers reiterated this truth.
SELECTED BIBLE PASSAGES:
Acts 24:15: ". . . there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust."
John 5:28-29: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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."
1 Corinthians 15:21-22: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Revelation 20:12-15: Even those in hell will come forth to be judged.
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Richard Lloyd Anderson, Understanding Paul (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1983), pp. 127-128.
2. Robert Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Life Beyond (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc., 1986), pp. 121-130.
3. Eugene Seaich, Ancient Texts and Mormonism (Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, 1983), pp. 43-46.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael T. Griffith is a two-time graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and of the U.S. Air Force Technical Training School in San Angelo, Texas. He has attended Ricks College, Brigham Young University, Austin Peay State University, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Haifa University in Israel, where his studies centered around history and foreign languages. He is the author of four books on Mormonism and ancient texts, including REFUTING THE CRITICS: EVIDENCES OF THE BOOK OF MORMON'S AUTHENTICITY and A READY REPLY: ANSWERING CHALLENGING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOSPEL. His latest book, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, was recently published by Horizon Publishers.
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