Is Mormonism Christianity or a cult?

[tom_roberts]

If you are familiar with the tv series Battlestar Galactica, you will get some of the gist of Mormonism. J Smith's and B Young's writings have been included in science fiction as well. One of the biggest oops was claiming a tribe of Israel made it to the USA many years prior to Columbus. Science has firmly trounced those claims of Mormons.

If allowed, I would encourage readers to go to CARM.org - Christian Apologitics and Research Ministry. Sound Bible answers to other religions/cults. Links to other sites are included as are materials to answer cults when they come to your door.


AH Carm
how i do love that site:)

[Drmare]

What do the Mormons believe about end times? Do they believe in a rapture?
I need help witnessing to my friend. This is harder for me than talking to an atheist! I am really struggling and time is running out. Please help me.

[StarryEyedLad]

What do the Mormons believe about end times? Do they believe in a rapture?
I need help witnessing to my friend. This is harder for me than talking to an atheist! I am really struggling and time is running out. Please help me.

Hi, Drmare!:wave
I got this from Wikipedia. Hope it helps you out!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_times


Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons, has taught that we are living in the last days.

Some Latter-day Saints believe that the earth does have a temporal existence of 7000 years, and that the present day is somewhere near the 6000th year. They do not speculate as to the time, day or year of the second coming, but watch for indications that the event is approaching.

Latter-day Saints believe that their church is led by prophets who receive inspiration and direction from God. A number of Mormon leaders have taught that the Earth is allotted seven thousand years of existence, and that the earth is nearing the end of the sixth such millennium. Mormon leader Orson F. Whitney stated that we are now in the "late Saturday night" of earth's existence, and that the seventh thousand years will be marked by Christ's second coming and the millennial kingdom, which will be Earth's sabbath and day of rest. The seven seals and seven trumpets of the Book of Revelation relate to the seven millennia allotted to Earth by Latter-day Saint theology.

Latter-day Saints are frequently counseled to watch for the "signs of the times" but not to fear them. The statement "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (from Doctrine and Covenants 38:30) has become somewhat of a mantra among the Latter-day Saints. Wars, pestilence, economic despair, natural disasters and more are all part of what Latter-day Saints see as signs of the times. In particular, a great earthquake is mentioned in all cases.

Other events that Latter-day Saints regard as important, and the dates some of them have purportedly occurred:

Priesthood authority, which had been lost in the great apostasy, to be restored (this happened in May of 1829).
The pure gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored, and taught in His church (this happened April 6, 1830).
Elijah would return and give priesthood keys (this happened on April 3, 1836).
The return of the Jews to Jerusalem and Israel, as dedicated by Orson Hyde on October 24, 1841 (first wave of Jewish immigration to Israel, or Aliyah (עלייה) started in 1881).
The building of a temple in Israel (has not yet occurred).
The building of a temple in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri (has not yet occurred, though the location is marked).
Temples will "dot the earth" (136 temples as of December 2006).
A meeting of priesthood leaders with angelic beings and Christ in Adam-ondi-Ahman (has not yet occurred).
Christ will appear in the Temple in Jackson County, Missouri (has not yet occurred).
Wars will be poured out upon all nations.
The nations of the earth will be gathered to fight Israel.(happening right now)
Wicked will be consumed by fire (some traditions allude to a nuclear holocaust, and some hold that this will be at the coming of Christ.)
The restored gospel will be preached in all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples (there are 53000 missionaries in 165 countries as of 2005).
Many LDS temples feature a statue of Moroni on the highest spire. Most of these statues face East, the direction from which Christ will come. The Salt Lake City temple has two large doors on the east side of the building, that are not used. Tradition holds that Christ will enter the temple through these doors, when He comes again.

After the coming of Christ to the mount of Olives, and the destruction of the wicked, the righteous will live on the earth in relative peace and prosperity during the millennium, under the leadership of Christ. Other churches still may exist during this time, and not all people living will be Latter-day Saints, but such people will represent the "more righteous" part of the peoples of the earth. Missionary work and temple work for the deceased (see Baptism for the dead) will continue during the millennium and missionary and genealogy work will be a main focus of Church members and other righteous individuals who live during the time leading up to the final judgement.

Joseph Smith produced an inspired rendition of Matthew 24, relating to the end times.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that at the beginning of the Millennial Era, Jesus Christ the Lord will appear in his Second Coming and usher in a thousand year era of peace called the Millennium, when Satan will be bound (Doctrine and Covenants 88:110). The wicked will be removed from the earth and the righteous will be "caught up to meet him," and a resurrection of the righteous who have died will occur--they will also "be caught up to meet him." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:96-97). During the Millennium, every man or woman to ever live on the Earth will be resurrected; those who were righteous will be resurrected at the beginning and be able to visit the earth to restore knowledge about family histories; the wicked will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium (D & C 76:85).

At the time of each person's resurrection, their Last Judgment will occur, during which all beings will be placed into one of three heavenly kingdoms; the Celestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom, and Telestial Kingdom. In the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith Jr., who is believed to be the translator of the Book of Mormon and first prophet, leader, and seer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, puts the kingdoms into levels of glory in symbolic comparison to the sun, the moon, and the stars. The sun being the brightest, is relative to the glory of the celestial kingdom, which is for those who obey the commandments, live righteously, become baptized. The moon, being the second brightest, is relative to the terrestrial kingdom, which is for those who are righteous in a sense, but do not constantly obey the commandments and/or are not baptized. The stars, being the least brightest, are relative to the telestial kingdom, which is for those who are wicked and commit major sins without repenting, including murderers. A very small group of people who reject Jesus Christ after receiving full and indisputable knowledge of his divinity, will go to what is called Outer darkness, which is where Satan will eventually be sent with his hosts of angels.(D & C 76:43-46)

While the exact time of Christ's return is not known, certain signs are accepted as pointing to his return:

The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, Isa. 2: 2-3.
The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel, Isa. 5: 26 (2 Ne. 15: 26-30).
The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not cause her light to shine, Isa. 13: 10 (Joel 3: 15; D & C 29: 14).
Men shall transgress the law and break the everlasting covenant, Isa. 24: 5.
The Nephites (ancient fallen people of the Americas, descended from Joseph of Egypt) shall speak as a voice from the dust, Isa. 29: 4 (2 Ne. 27).
Israel shall be gathered with power, Isa. 49: 22-23 (1 Ne. 21: 22-23; 3 Ne. 20-21).
God shall set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed, Dan. 2: 44 (D & C 65: 2).
War, dreams, and visions shall precede the Second Coming, Joel 2.
All nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle, Zech. 14: 2 (Ezek. 38-39).
The day cometh that shall burn as an oven, Mal. 4: 1 (3 Ne. 25: 1; D & C 133: 64; JS-H 1: 37).
Great calamities shall precede the Second Coming, Matt. 24 (JS-M 1).
Paul described apostasy and perilous times of the last days, 2 Tim. 3-4.
Two prophets will be slain and resurrected in Jerusalem, Rev. 11 (D & C 77: 15).
The gospel shall be restored in the last days by angelic ministry, Rev. 14: 6-7 (D & C 13; 27; 110: 11-16; 128: 8-24).
Babylon will be established and fall, Rev. 17-18.
Israel shall be gathered with power, 1 Ne. 21: 13-26 (Isa. 49: 13-26; 3 Ne. 20-21).
The Book of Mormon shall come forth by the power of God, Morm. 8.
Lamanites (Indigenous peoples of the Americas) to blossom, D & C 49: 24-25.
The wicked to slay the wicked, D & C 63: 32-35 (Rev. 9).
War will be poured out upon all nations, D & C 87: 2.
Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, D & C 88: 86-94.
Darkness to cover the earth, D & C 112: 23-24.

[StarryEyedLad]

Here's a little more:


Mormon Eschatology - In Mormonism, all Latter Day Saints are viewed as covenant, or chosen, people; they have accepted the name of Jesus Christ. Latter Day Saints do not dispute the "chosen" status of the Jewish people. In LDS doctrine all people who have ever lived will have the ability to enter into this covenant during the Millennium (yet future). Mormon eschatology holds that Jews, as a chosen people, will ultimately accept Christianity (See Jeremiah 31:31-34). Mormon doctrine teaches that Mormons are "The kin blood of the Jews." Every practicing LDS member receives a patriarchal blessing that reveals their linage in the House of Israel. This lineage may be blood related or through "adoption;" therefore, a child may not necessarily share the lineage of her parents (but will still be a member of the tribes of Israel). It is a widely held belief that most members of the faith are in the tribe of Ephraim or the tribe of Manasseh.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Witnesses

[Drmare]

Thanks for the information. I know how to witness about my faith, but am just stuck on how to start this conversation. Can you direct me to a website or help in specifically witnessing to a Mormon? The indoctrination runs deep.

[ATYCLB]

Thanks for the information. I know how to witness about my faith, but am just stuck on how to start this conversation. Can you direct me to a website or help in specifically witnessing to a Mormon? The indoctrination runs deep.

Drmare, this may be of help:
http://www.carm.org/lds/ldsresponse.htm

It's part of a larger examination of Mormonism found here:
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm

[Drmare]

:aha " trying to climb jello " is right!! That is a great link and will be a big help. Thanks so much for your help !!! :hat

[A BELIEVER]

Here'a an article on RR read it, please....

http://www.raptureready.com/rap40c.html

[linda]

Kent Crockett has several excellent articles on Mormons and how to witness to them. They place more importance on Joseph Smith than Jesus.

http://kentcrockett.com/bib.html

[Drmare]

Wow!! That will keep me busy! Thanks for the links.
:hug