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?
EXCERPTS FROM “THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS”
1. Containing revelations given to Joseph Smith, the prophet, with some additions by his successors in the Presidency of the Church, Copyright 1921 by Helen J. Grant, Trustee in Trust. [title page]
2. [The first revelation to Joseph Smith] took place in the early spring of 1820… Many revelations followed, in preparation for the re-establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ on earth… On September 24, 1834, at a meeting of the High Council in Kirtland, Ohio, a committee… was constituted to publish the revelations… [explanatory introduction]
3. Section 1. Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, during a special conference of Elders… held at Hiram, Ohio, November 1, 1831… This section constitutes the Lord’s Preface to the doctrines, covenants, and commandments given in this dispensation. [p.1]
4. …my servant Joseph Smith… [to whom was given] power to lay the foundation of this church… the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. [p.3]
5. For although a man may have many revelations… [if he] sets at naught the counsels of God… he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God. [p.4]
6. And when thou [Smith] deliverdst up that which God had given thee sight and power to translate, thou deliverdst up that which was sacred into the hands of a wicked man. [p.5]
7. As many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved. [p.25]
8. God… created man [but man became fallen]… wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son… He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven.. to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father. [p.31]
9. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite, and eternal… And we know that justification… [and] sanctification through the grace of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ is just and true… But there is a possibility that we may fall from grace. [p.31]
10. It must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves…[but] power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable. [p.46]
11. The Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction… And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel, which I have sent forth… by the hand of my servant Joseph. [p.50&52]
12. My servants Sidney, and Parley, and Leman… you shall go and preach my gospel… unto the Shakers… [for] whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for… it is lawful that he should have one wife. [p.77-78]
13. Let that which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of another church… let the bishop appoint a storehouse unto this church. [p.82]
14. The land of Missouri… is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion… is now called Independence… wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased. [p.89]
15. He that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. [p.91]
16. Shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not, not in their presence, lest though provoke them, but in secret. [9.97]
17. Children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old. [p.112]
18. Section 76. A vision… Prefacing his record of this vision the Prophet wrote: “From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the revelation of man had been taken from the bible, or lost before it was compiled. [p.121]
19. These are they [the church of the Firstborn who have received the fullness of the Father] whose bodies are celestial… These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fullness… Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial… these are they [the telestial] who received not the gospel of Christ… who shall not be redeemed form the devil until the last resurrection. [p.125]
20. For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods [Melchizedek and Aaronic]… they become the sons of Moses… and the elect of God. [p.137]
[I can post more excerpts if you want, but I did not want to dump the whole load at once :^]
