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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Mormon religion (Mormonism), whose followers are known as Mormons and Latter-day Saints (LDS), was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have receiv...
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Seth Freeman
Supporter
The quickest and most efficient way to immediately tell if a group, such as the Mormons are a cult is to look at their treatment of Jesus. Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. As a result, Satan will always attack our beliefs about Jesus. While a mystery, Scripture is clear that Jesus is God. Jesus had both a human nature and a Divine nature. The quickest and easiest way to see if a group should be classified as a cult is to ask them if they believe that Jesus is God. The moment a group denies the Divinity of Christ, you know you have a problem, probably a cult. Satan is the master manipulator. So with Mormonism, you can see how it seems to be very similar to Christianity, but when you actually take the time to examine their core theological beliefs, you'll find dozens upon dozens of heretical beliefs.
Emo Tenorio
Supporter
In my humble opinion Mormonism is indeed a cult, abet with very nice manners, built on works and a rejection of our Lord's completed work on the Cross. The core weakness of their false doctrine is the insecurity and fear of not being worthy to make their cosmic cut and thus suffer outer darkness. The variants of Mormonism would require much verbiage to explain the different precepts of each one, but all have common threads in the books of Galatians and Jude. Consider that no archaeologist has ever found any object to prove the book of Mormon, no cities have ever been located no scriptures or inscriptions, no person, place, name, artifacts or nation. Nothing to demonstrate that the book of Mormon is anything other than myth or invention has ever been found, we have only the testimony of one very colorful Joe Smith! In the Lord's freedom and light.........warrior on
Chris Bray
Supporter
To cover all that Mormons believe would take an in depth study, but there is an easy way to answer the question based on scripture. The bible tells us Jesus is the only way by which we may inherit eternal life. Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Mormons would disagree with this verse because they believe without Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion, there would be no true Christianity. They believe Christianity became corrupted in the early centuries and the true faith was lost. It was restored through Joseph Smith. Logically speaking, this would make salvation possible only through Joseph Smith, another name under heaven by which men can be saved...the Mormon will deny this claiming they too believe Jesus died for our sins, but the fact is if true Christianity was corrupted, and needed to be restored and that restoration came by Joseph Smith, then Jesus is no longer the central figure in salvation, Joseph Smith is. This is a brief, to the point answer to demonstrate how the Mormon belief system rules them out from being Christians. There are many other strange teachings they uphold too you can read about in books you can check out at the library. Many of these books are written by former Mormons who are now true Christians.
Ron Ray
Supporter
Yes, Mormonism or more properly "The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints" is a cult. The other offshoots of Mormonism are also cults. This would include the Fundamentalist LDS and the warmer fuzzier RLDS. This religion changes the nature of Jesus Christ, claims that Satan was his brother, claims that God the Father was once a man who was elevated to God status by His Heavenly Father, claims that God has a wife, claims that we are all of God's spirit children as products of He and His wife, claims the Bible is fallible, claims that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth, claims that through elevation in the Mormon church and being deemed worthy is the true path to the highest heaven, claims through Brigham Young that humans lived on the moon and on the sun, does not allow their faith to be tested and shuns anyone who speaks in contradiction to their beliefs. A living Mormon also believes that they can be baptized for someone else and through that act baptize that person into heaven. Ironically, the Mormon religion was started by a con man (Joseph Smith) who was convicted of money digging (fraudulent scams) in New York. Smith only declared that all other Christian denominations were abhorrent after he had been refused admission to every single one. Smith was known to be a sexual deviate who preferred young girls and openly practiced polygamy. His deviant practices got him and his clan driven out of New York and Ohio. Eventually Part of Smith's clan broke off and started their own faction. The succeeding series of events eventually led to a gun battle in which Smith and his brother were killed in a gun fight at the hands of former followers.
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
Yes Mormonism is a cult. They believe that they will all become as God, equal to Him able to create their own worlds, universe or what ever just as God has done.
Andy Mangus
Supporter
Yes, it is a cult! In fact, it is one of or the best modern day examples of "man-made religions" that God warns us about in The Old Testament and New Testament. Man made religions all stem from man being tempted to be, do, listen, notice, participate-in, or strive to learn about a "god" from none other than SATAN himself via his countless forms of deception which (we ALL KNOW...began in The GARDEN OF EDEN...! And, THE ONE AND ONLY WORD OF GOD IS given to us via ONLY ONE book, which includes 2 parts: THE OLD TESTAMENT and THE NEW TESTAMENT. (i.e. ***Even a small child before being able to read can easily understand these very simple truths. Take me for my best example: I was understanding at Sunday morning and evening worship services a lot of what my Sunday school teacher was explaining, teaching, etc.-and- the preacher in the church sanctuary which was after Sunday school class.) These very early in life "God's teachings, lessons, principles, guidance, etc., were ingrained in my earliest memories due to the fact that my parents went to church every single Sunday morning and evenings unless major bad weather, sickness, etc,. Virtually nothing prevented my parents from taking my older brothers and I to church services. ((i.e. my mother was breast feeding me in the babies nursery room behind one way glass and with speakers to hear the worship singing when I was 4 1/2 weeks old!). So, from the earliest mental images and memories I can recall numerous testimonies, baptism's, etc. These included my grandfather preaching on 15-25 occasions and any number of Sunday church services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Broken Bow, Oklahoma in which he was the preacher. And, there were summer time revival services as well. ***For me, to be blessed by the fact that I was born and raised in a very strict Christian home is to me --as I look back into my earliest memories--the pinnacle of any of life's blessings I have received! ***The night of my receiving JESUS CHRIST, as my personal Lord and Savior: in 1979; is the precise pinnacle moment that my life changed for all eternity and the single most definitive understanding of *WHAT THE TRUE meaning of what JOHN 3:16 meant for MY eternal LIFE"! "Praise GOD that HE provided a SAVIOR"! And, HIS name is JESUS CHRIST! -Andy-
David Huffman
Supporter
Yes it is a cult. I find the most significant proof text in scripture that lays out the exclusivity of Christianity is in Galatians. Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— Gal 1:7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Though it may sound noble to some that Joseph Smith was correcting corruption from early church power mongers, the faith, the truth, were never lost as they were preserved in scripture. Church history is replete with reformers from the 1500's, much earlier than Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith's version of Mormonism, the original, is quite perverse. The practice of polygamy and bigamy were a staple of his behavior. It is a requirement even today that the young men go on two year missionary trips. In Joseph Smiths' day he took it upon himself to visit the wives who were out on apostolic trips. What a thoughtful man. We ought to keep in mind that these are a deceived people. Their theology is inconsistent and incoherent. While the name Jesus Christ is a part of their banner there beliefs about who he is are contrary to scriptural description of Him. They are a lost people in need of salvation and compassion. So while this question may ultimately be about what is truth (remember Pilate), there can be no doubt that we are commissioned to give them the truth in love. There are significant similarities in the three big religions considered by Christians to be cults. They all have single leaders who claim to have received special angelic instruction and special writings all indicating the "true" understanding. Charles Russell Tayes founded Jehovah's Witnesses, Joseph Smith, and Muhammed the founder of Islam, What did Paul write? Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. If their claims were true it means that by apostolic authority Paul has cursed the Mormon created angel Moroni, and I think Muhammed and Tayes credited Gabriel. In any case, if accurate, those angels are then anathema (cursed). And so then are those who fall under that leadership, they are cursed and without redemption. Beware, you who think all religions are just a variation of the truth. Only one can be true.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Is Mormonism a cult? What do Mormons believe? The Mormon Church certainly can be considered a cult because it claims to be Christian, while simultaneously espousing teachings that are clearly outside the historical purview of the Christian faith. A cult is typically a cohesive, insular group centred around a charismatic leader, ideology, or belief system. Their radical teachings of Joseph Smith that denounced the orthodox view of the Godhead and how humanity is saved, not to mention Smith's insistence that only his church has divine favour (D&C 1:30 - 'Doctrine and Covenants'). Mormonism was founded and led by a dominant figure, Joseph Smith, who was born in America in 1805. Even today, Mormons believe their church is led by a living prophet and apostles who receive ongoing revelation from God. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word, and all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him. We must remember the warning of Jesus, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matt. 71.5) The apostle Paul also spoke out about those who twist the truth: "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Tim. 4.4). "Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Tim. 4.1). Paul advises us today: "Stand firm and hold to the teachings…" (2 Thess. 2.15). There is a need today to teach and proclaim the truth of the Gospel. 2 Timothy 3:16. ESV: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness." Note the phrase - "Inspired of God". - Not by Man! What do Mormons believe? Central Beliefs & Theology The Godhead: Mormons believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three separate and distinct physical beings, united in purpose. The Plan of Salvation: Life is viewed as a purposeful progression. Members believe that humans existed as spirit children of God before this life and that, after death, individuals go to different kingdoms of glory depending on their faith and earthly actions. Exaltation: Through Christ's atonement, faithful individuals can reach the highest tier of the celestial kingdom, return to live in God's presence, and ultimately progress toward becoming like Him. Modern Revelation: The church is led by a living prophet and apostles who receive ongoing revelation from God. The Book of Mormon: Regarded as another testament of Jesus Christ, it details the history and spiritual teachings of ancient Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Doctrine and Covenants: A collection of modern revelations and declarations given to Joseph Smith and subsequent church leaders. Pearl of Great Price: A selection of translated writings and historical accounts by Joseph Smith. The Law of Tithing: Members are encouraged to donate 10% of their income to the church to support its operations and charitable efforts worldwide. Eternal Families: Central to their doctrine is the belief that marriages and families can be "sealed" (bound) together in temples for eternity, rather than just "until death do us part." Planet Building: Devout members believe that faithful individuals can eventually become gods and goddesses, inheriting, populating, and ruling over their own planets. Vicarious Baptism: Mormons practice "baptism for the dead." Living members act as proxies to be baptised on behalf of their deceased ancestors—and sometimes even historical figures—so they have the opportunity to accept the faith in the afterlife.
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