My entire family besides maybe me practice Mormonism (LDS: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints). But they also consider themselves to be Christian. But there are a lot of discrepancies in their belief that don't seem to align with Jesus's teachings.
I basically wrote this to get biblically sound doctrine from anyone that knows about this group. Either for it or against it (trying not to be biased). But I personally dont believe that it is true Christianity. I left this "religion" when I was 18 years old.
What is your stance on this?
Greetings Danielwarby!
First, I am sorry to hear that your family are Mormon's, for they are not in Christ. Below is the reason why.
First, Mormon doctrine teaches and believes that Jesus is just a created being and the spirit brother to Satan. So, regardless of any other scriptures that they may attempt to quote, that one stops them in their tracks as far as their belief being legitimate. For this is what the word of God has to say about Christ:
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Note: Immanuel means, 'God with us.'
God the Father himself refers to His Son as God:
But about the Son he (the Father) says,
“Your throne,
O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
He also says,
Jesus created all things:
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”
There are many other examples, such as when Jesus told the Jewish leaders "I and My Father or One." They picked up stones to stone Him and said "We are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
So the Jews knew the claim that Jesus was making by claiming that He and the Father are One.
Again, after Jesus resurrected, He appeared to the ten apostles behind closed doors, but Thomas was not present. Then the disciples told Thomas that the Lord had resurrected and appeared to them, but he did not believe them and said, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” The next week Jesus appeared to them again and said to Thomas "Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe! And Thomas said, "My Lord and My God!" And the Lord replied “Because you have seen Me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Those who have not seen but yet believe, is us who believe that Jesus is God in the flesh.
There are many, many more examples of Jesus' divinity, but these examples should suffice.
So, the bottom line is, Mormon's are stopped right at the door because they believe that Jesus is not God in the flesh, but just a created being. Therefore, there is no reason to debate about any other scriptures with them. They have the wrong Jesus!
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