Chaplain Darin

Here are four significant things to look for to determine whether a faith/religion is false.

Extra Biblical Revelation

• Using/claiming supplemental “scripture” to be added to the Bible
• Mormon examples; Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants
• See notes below under “All Christian Creeds and Churches are an Abomination”

Presumptuous Messianic Leadership          

• Any leader or head of a faith that claims to be anything more than any other man; closer to God, more powerful, more authoritative, a mediator for man to God, etc.
• 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

Progressive Doctrine

• Where any faith would add or subtract from the Bible, or any other of their religious texts, to adapt their doctrine to times and circumstances

False Prophecy

Examples of False Prophesy by Mormon Founders

On September 1, 1842, Joseph Smith said, “…for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.”  (Doctrine and Covenants, 127:2).  The last phrase “for the Lord God hath spoken it,” indicates that this is prophecy.  Here, Smith has prophesied that God would allow him to “triumph” over all his enemies.  Less than two years later, these same enemies stormed the Carthage, Illinois jail where Smith was imprisoned and shot him dead.  Smith tried to fight back, shooting 3 of his assailants and killing 2 with a pistol smuggled in to him, but his “enemies” triumphed.

Joseph Smith was also interested in the second coming of Jesus Christ.  So much so, that he tried to peg Christ’s return to a particular year – 1891.   Smith said, “It is the will of the Lord that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was night – even fifty-six years, should wind up the scene.”  (The History of the Church, vol II, page 182).  Zion here refers to Jackson County, Missouri – not to Israel.  Given the context in which this was said, the fifty-six-year time frame would place the return of Jesus on or before February 14, 1891.  Many Mormon periodicals demonstrated that zealous Mormons were anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of that prophecy. 

Three apostles never died – D&C 7:1-8; “And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.  And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee… And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom…. And I will make thee to minister for him and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come. Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires…”  Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires…”  To summarize, Mormons have claimed that three of the apostles never died; James, John and Peter.  Of course, just the opposite is true. We have historical as well as biblical accounts which serve as proof that all three did in fact die.  James was the first apostle to be martyred circa 44 AD.  James, the brother of John was present at the transfiguration and then journeyed to Judea, Samaria and Spain to spread the gospel.  Herod ordered James’ death at which time the guard was converted by his testimony of Jesus.  Thus, the guard was beheaded as well. John died peacefully on Patmos circa 100 A.D. after being arrested while living in Ephesus.  Peter died about 67-68 A.D., under Emperor Nero, who crucified Peter upside down.

On September 22 and 23, 1832, Joseph Smith prophesied of an LDS temple to be built in the city of Independence, Missouri. This is the wording of the prophecy: (D&C: Section 84:1-5) (1)A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high. (2) Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. (3) Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. (4) Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. (5) For verily this generation shall not all pass away until a house shall be built unto the Lord…

The prophecy specifies that not just a temple, but a whole city, the city of “New Jerusalem”, was to be built. The passage is quite specific as to the location of the new temple (verse 3) and the timeframe for its completion (verses 4 & 5). This prophecy was made in 1832 and it is quite clearly an unfulfilled, and therefore false, prophecy. There is no LDS temple on the site mentioned, and certainly no-one alive today who was alive in 1832, yet the prophecy states – For verily this generation shall not all pass away until a house shall be built unto the Lord.  While there is an RLDS temple in Independence, Missouri, this is on the wrong site, and was not built in that generation. As an aside, the RLDS church is a breakaway sect of the LDS church. Mormon missionaries are unlikely to reveal that the Mormon religion suffers the same problem as Protestantism, that is, a proliferation of sets. The main Mormon religion, the LDS Church, is the one headquartered at Salt Lake City, Utah, but there are numerous smaller sects, including the RLDS church, mentioned above.

Note also the wording of the prophecy: “A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith“, “the word of the Lord concerning his church”, “Verily this is the word of the Lord.” This wording ought to be noted because often Mormons of today try to sidestep the false prophecies of Joseph Smith by referring to a quote Joseph Smith once made: “…I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such.” (History of the Church, volume 5, page 265.) However, it should be quite clear that the wording of the above prophecy shows that Joseph Smith was indeed “acting as such“.  And his prophecy failed. There is no way out of this for Mormon apologists.

Joseph Smith on the Downfall of the United States Government (History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 394.) “. . .I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left . . . “

Distinctive Practices of Mormons

• According to the Word of Wisdom, the common name of a section of the Doctrine and Covenants, Mormons are to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. 
• 2-year Missions – Single young men and women between the ages of 19 and 25 who meet standards of worthiness are strongly encouraged to consider a two-year, full-time proselytizing mission.  They are not paid for this mission and are usually supported by themselves, raise support, or from family members.  These “Elders” as they are called are usually seen riding together on bikes wearing black and white conservative clothes.

What the Bible says about detecting a false prophet

• Deuteronomy 13:1-3, “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
• Deuteronomy 18:20-22, “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.   You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?”  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”

Joseph Smith said the Book of Mormon was more correct than the Bible.  “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book.”  (History of the Church, Vol. 4, page 461)

Joseph Smith boasted that he did more than Jesus to keep a church together.  “God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil–all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet . . . ” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 408-409).

Significant Mormon Beliefs that misrepresent Biblical Truth

The Law of Eternal Progression

“As man is, God once was.  As God is, man may become.” – Quote from Mormon Prophet Lorenzo Snow, June 1840.  This is the cornerstone belief of Mormonism.

Mormon Doctrine, pg. 237.  In the words of LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, “Thus those who gain eternal life receive exaltation … They are gods.”.

Mormon Doctrine, pg. 321.  Prophet Joseph Smith (Summary) “…and you have got to learn to become god’s yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you.”

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 131-132.  (Summary) “If we keep our covenants and are faithful to the end, we shall come forth as gods and receive a fullness of the Kingdom.  The man will be a King and a Priest, the woman a Queen and Priestess.”

Achieving a state of perfection – Mormons may misuse Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

• REBUTAL.  “Perfect”, in Matthew 5:48, literally translates to “complete” (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.).  The idea of a perfect man (a sinless man), such as Adam and Eve before the fall, can be seen in heaven in Revelation 21:4, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Since suffering and death are attributes and consequences of sin, this suggests that man is without sin in heaven.  However, in heaven we will be spiritual beings like the angels, not like our human bodies now (Matthew 22:30).  The sinful are not in heaven, but in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).  Nothing impure will ever enter heaven (Revelation 21:27).  Outside of heaven are those who sin (Revelation 22:15).  So, the answer is no, there will be no sin in heaven.

Mormons believe in Many Gods

Mormons will misuse 1 Corinthians 8:5 to demonstrate that there are many gods.  It reads, “For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”).  

• REBUTAL.  If you read the context, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 actually says, “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Isaiah 43:10-11, “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.  Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.  I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.”  Isaiah 44:6, “This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

A Mormon might respond to these verses saying, “It’s saying that he is the God of THIS world, just like his father is the god of HIS world, HIS earth.”

• REBUTAL.  One God, the God of the Bible, made all things in the universe – Isaiah 44:12, “It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it.  My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.”  Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  John says that God is the One who made all things, and that there wasn’t anything made that He didn’t make.  Job says that He binds and loosens the constellations.
• Satan is the originator of the doctrine that man can become gods.  Lucifer fell from heaven in Isaiah 14 because of his desire to be equal to or greater than the One true God, “I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.  I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”  But because of Lucifer’s desire to equal to or greater than God, Lucifer was cast from heaven, “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!  You have been cast down to the earth…you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit...”  While on earth, Lucifer came to the first people, and tempted Eve with the idea that she too could be like God if she only ate of the forbidden fruit, “The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  However, the appeal to be like God only led to Adam and Eve’s death, as it did for Satan.  The two people gained wisdom but no godlike status was achieved, only knowledge and death.  Satan has since enticed people like Joseph Smith with the appeal that man can become a god, even equal to or greater than God.

Elohim (God) was once a man like us.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2^nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), pg. 322

• (Summary) “God had a father whom also had a father.”

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 129.

• (Summary) “Elohim was a man and once lived on an earth like ours.”

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 3.

• (Summary) “God became God through obedience to the Gospel program.”

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 129-130.

• (Summary) “God is an exalted man who once lived on an earth and underwent experiences of morality…His marriage partner is our other in heaven.  We are their spirit children, born to them in the bonds of Celestial marriage.”

Joseph Smith taught that we are co-eternal with God.

• REBUTAL.  If we are co-eternal with God as Joseph Smith taught, then we have existed as long as He has, which does away with the theory that people were procreated as spirit children.  J.S.’s teaching contradicts itself.

God has a Body of Flesh and Bones, Like Man (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:2)

• REBUTAL – Jesus told the woman at the well that God is spirit (John 4:24).  Jesus Himself is God

(“I and the Father are one” – John 10:30), but Jesus is God in the form of a man (Flesh and bone).  Jesus was God in bodily form, while He was incarnate here on earth.  But, Jesus’ incarnate is not what Joseph Smith had in mind when he said God has a body of flesh and bone.  He was referring to the Heavenly Father.  God the Father is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent…not a body.

The Preexistence of the Human Race

People were once spirit children of the heavenly father Elohim.  Later to be born in human form to parents on earth, hopefully later to be returned to heaven in their spirit bodies for eternity.  This idea is misinterpreted from Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”

Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses 3:5-7 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1977)

•  (Summary) “everything is made spiritually before it is made physically.”

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 235.

• (Summary) “The choicest spirits today are coming to earth to inhabit modern day LDS families”
• REBUTAL – God having knowledge of us doesn’t mean that we existed.  My plan or dream of backing a cake doesn’t mean the cake exists before I’ve baked it.

“Mormon” – Mormon was a prophet who lived here on earth and kept a record of the people in the Americas.        The church got its name from the Book of Mormon, named after him.

People are Elohim’s spirit children

Achieving Celestial Marriage, Manual No. CDFR 60/61 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976), pg. 129-130.

• (Summary) “God is an exalted man who once lived on an earth and underwent experiences of morality…His marriage partner is our mother in heaven.  We are their spirit children, born to them in the bonds of Celestial marriage.”
• REBUTAL – We know from Genesis that God created man from the dust of the ground and that he told man to be fruitful and multiply.  We know people are created by God in the womb.  Nothing suggests that we existed before our conception.  (SEE REBUTAL REGARDING JEREMIAH 1:5 IN Preexistence)

Polygamy

Doctrine and Covenants, section 132 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1977).  (Summary) “we may have the opportunity to have plural wives in the Celestial Kingdom”.  This “scripture” had directed Smith and Young to be polygamous as with thousands of others.  Mormons may say that even great leaders of the Bible had multiple wives; Abraham (Sarah & Hagar), Jacob (Rachel and Leah), David (multiple wives as king, 2 Samuel 12:8), and Solomon (700 wives and 300 concubines, 1 Kings 11:3).   

• REBUTAL – God tolerated such behavior with Kings and leaders of the Israelites, but it never suggests that it was His will.  Deuteronomy 17:15-17, “be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses…He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.”  1 Kings 11:3, “Solomon’s wives led him astray.”  Also, 1 Timothy 3:2 talks about church leaders having only one wife.  Mormon Church leaders saw to it that they were to take many wives.  Today the Mormon Church will take a non-polygamous stance, except Mormon Fundamentalists which are a separate branch of the Mormon Church which hold more strictly to the early Mormon doctrine and teaching of the prophets which said you must take multiple wives if you want to enter into heaven.

Jesus and Lucifer were equals and brothers.  A counsel to determine who would be savior of earth was held at which point Jesus and Lucifer were in attendance, as well as Joseph Smith as one of the choice spirits.

Pearl of Great Price, and Book of Abraham 3:23-28.  (Summary) “God called a counsel of all the leading spirits to determine their destiny.”

Come Unto Christ, Melchizedek Priesthood Manual (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1984/1988), pg. 139-145.  (Summary) “Joseph Smith was a choice spirit represented at the great heavenly council.”

• REBUTAL – “Son” in referring to Jesus is an anthropomorphic statement.  John 3:16 refers to Jesus and being God’s only begotten Son…no heavenly brothers exist.  Also, Romans refers to angels as God’s creation, not equal to the Lord Jesus…Lucifer of course is identified as an angel in Isaiah 14 and Revelation 12.  Jesus also claimed to be God multiple times.

Origin of Satan, Demons, and People of Black Skin that Mormons Call “Negros”

Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham 3:28, Book of Moses 4:1-3, Doctrine and Covenants 29:36-37.  (Summary) “Satan, after having been denied the opportunity as savior of earth, he rebelled, and a third of the angels were cast out of heaven with him…sent to earth in spirit form (bodiless).  Those angels who were cast-out became demons and Lucifer became Satan.  Those who were neutral to the division in heaven were condemned to have black skin, called “Negros.”

• REBUTAL – Satan convinced a third of the angels (Revelation 12:4) with the same doctrine that he later convinced Eve and Adam with, and later Joseph Smith and others.  The angels fell because they chose to believe Satan’s lie, following Satan as his angels (Revelation 12:7-8).  Of course, nothing is said of people with black skin, but Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”

Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses 5:16-41; 7:8-22.  Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, “Negros skin was marked through the lineage of Cain.  It was so they could be recognized as those who couldn’t hold the priesthood.”

Mormon Doctrine, pg. 526-527.  1978, the ban or curse on Negros was lifted by the Mormon church stating that Lord had forgiven them their preexistent punishment; now they too can be Mormon and hold the priesthood.  Quote from Bruce R. McConkie, “It doesn’t make a particle of difference what anybody said prior to June 1^st, 1978.” 

Baptism of the Dead

Mormons believe that Negros that died while living under the doctrine that rejected them can today have the chance to be saved through baptism of the dead, as well as any other white Mormon that might have died unworthy.

• REBUTAL – There is no opportunity for those who have died to repent or experience a release from hell or acceptance into heaven.  This decision must be made before death.  The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man from Luke 16:19-31 suggests that there is no repentance or way to change your situation from hell or heaven once you’ve died.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”  Revelation 20:11-15 says that at judgment if your name is not in the book of life you are thrown into the lake of fire.

The Birth of Jesus

Mormon Doctrine, pg. 546-547; 742.  (Summary) “Jesus was begotten by an immortal father in the same way that mortal fathers beget children.  Jesus was conceived and born in the normal and natural way.”  Mormons are taught that Jesus was born through the Virgin Mary, but meaning that Mary was a virgin when Elohim impregnated her.

• REBUTAL – Jesus being the Son of God is an anthropomorphic statement first off.  The Bible says that Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, not by natural means.  Matthew 1:18, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”  Isaiah 7:14 foretells Jesus virgin birth, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Jesus was Married and Polygamous

Mormon Apostle Oron Hyde and Prophet Joseph Smith both taught that Jesus took multiple wives and that some of the leaders of the Mormon Church are direct descendants of Jesus.  Joseph Smith believed that in his bodily life on earth he too was one of these descendants.  Mormons might not hold to these teaching today, but it is what their founders believed and taught.  

• REBUTAL – Ephesians 5:25-27, speaks of the church as the bride of Christ.  Revelation 21 speaks of the New Jerusalem; the Christian Church in a state of great prosperity and purity.  There is nothing remotely circumstantial or implied anywhere in scripture that Jesus Christ was married while on earth, or fathered kids.

Burning in the Bosom

Moroni 10:4 “if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  To a Mormon, truth is confirmed, although not noted in the Book of Mormon, through a “burning in the bosom” …a literal physical sensation in their chest.  When historical or theological problems are facing a Mormon, or anytime their faith is being challenged, the appropriated action for a Mormon to take is to withhold judgment of Mormonism, until he or she has read the Book of Mormon and received, by prayer, a special revelation (a burning of the bosom) from the Holy Spirit…thus confirming the truthfulness of scripture.

• REBUTAL – This defense mechanism appeals to the Mormon leaders because the evidence for Mormon truth doesn’t exist and this teaches the congregation to not need to search for truth.  In fact, early prophecies, documents, and scriptures are suppressed from viewing to any Mormon except top officials.  The burning of the bosom is an experience that can’t be confirmed, gauged, or measured by challengers.  This leads the Mormon to disregard the need to present evidence in the churches defense.  Simply stating, “A burning in the bosom confirms this to be true” is their testament of faith in Mormonism.  This requires Mormon followers to have a blind faith in their religion, without ability or necessity to appeal to evidence. Mormons frequently appeal to James 1:5 for this, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”, especially given that their founder, Joseph Smith, claimed that this was the verse and method he used for finding the truth.  Christians aren’t to rely on feelings for any confirmation of truth or evidence for the Spirit.  We are to rely on faith based on evidence.  1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  Archeology has never disproven anything Biblical, it only continues to validate people, places, events, money, manuscript accuracy, etc.  The Smithsonian Institute (a secular institute) regards the Bible as a historically accurate piece of literature.  It disregards the Book of Mormon because no person, place, coinage, or event mentioned in the book has ever been validated with archeology.

All Christian Creeds and Churches are an Abomination

(During his “divine revelation” in the woods, J.S. is inquiring of God about the Christian Church) Pearl of Great Price, J. Smith 2:18-20 “…I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.  I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”  He again forbade me to join with any of them.”

• REBUTAL – As far as Joseph Smith receiving a revelation that is divinely inspired and different from the divine revelation of the Bible…2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Matthew 5:17-18, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”  In reference to the prophecy of the book of Revelation, it says in Revelation 22:18-19, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.  And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”  1 Corinthians 2:4, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”  Ephesians 4:14, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”  Therefore be careful of any man that claims that the Word of God is not complete or sufficient (no matter how clever the teaching).

Joseph Smith Sits on the Judgment Seat with Jesus and Elohim; Only Through Joseph Smith’s Approval Can Anyone Enter the Celestial Kingdom

Come Unto Christ, Melchizedek Priesthood Manual (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1983/1986), pg. 139-145.  (Summary) “Joseph Smith holds the key to this dispensation – he is its head and will be throughout all eternity…nobody will go to the Celestial Kingdom without his express approval.”

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 135, part 3, “Quote” – Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.

• REBUTAL – Ephesians 5:23, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”  Philippians 2:10-11, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  All authority is given to Christ.  There are elders mentioned in Revelation 4:4, twenty-four sitting on thrones around a central throne.  There is no clear explanation given as to who the elders are or if they are representative of specific people or tribes or authorities.  Certainly nothing is suggested anywhere in scripture about any particular human being given any authority to determine who passes into heaven.