Mormonism and Methodism

Here are the notes for this Sunday's sermon.

9 Things I Would Say to a Mormon

1. I admire the Mormon’s commitment to strong families.

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. -Exodus 20:6 (NLT)

2. I admire the Mormon’s zeal for sharing their faith.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. –Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

3. I admire the Mormon’s perseverance.

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. -Psalm 37:24 (NLT)

I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature. –John Rockefeller

4. The Book of Mormon is much different than the Christian Bible.

With the exception of Brigham Young University, there is no institution of higher learning in the United States that tries to substantiate or support the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith used the King James Version of the Bible—not the original Hebrew and Greek—to write the “Inspired Version of the Bible.” He added (including a verse that predicted his own coming) and subtracted thousands of verses.

And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. –Revelation 22:18-19 (NLT)

5. The Mormon view of the Trinity is much different than the Christian view of the Trinity.

The Mormon view of the Trinity involves three separate gods. Other gods exist as well.

Christians believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. –Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be. –Isaiah 43:10 (NLT)

6. The Mormon view of Jesus is much different than the Christian view of Jesus.

Mormons believe Jesus progressed to the truth until He became God. Mormons do not generally worship Jesus or pray to Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is fully God. Christians also worship Jesus and pray to Jesus.

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. –Matthew 1:18

Fifty-four Bible verses contain the Greek word proskuneo (which means worship) in relationship to Jesus: wise men, angels, a leper, a ruler, an anonymous woman, the disciples, a blind man, angels, etc… all worshipped Jesus.

7. The Mormon’s Eternal Progression is inconsistent with the Christian nature of God.

Joseph Smith taught, “You have got to learn to become Gods yourselves…the same as all Gods have done before you—namely, by going from one small degree to another.”

Christian teaching emphasizes that God is the one God and He never changes.

I am God and not a mere mortal. -Hosea 11:9 (NLT)

I am the Lord, and I do not change. –Malachi 3:6 (NLT)

8. The Mormon view of salvation is much different than the Christian view of salvation.

Mormon requirements for salvation: 1) Baptism in the Mormon Church, 2) regular church attendance, 3) consistent good works, 4)attaining worthiness, and 5) engaging in temple work.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. –Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

9. The Mormon view of the afterlife is much different than the Christian view of the afterlife.

Mormons believe that all people end up in one of three kingdoms of glory:

The celestial – For faithful Mormons

The terrestrial – For non-Mormons who live moral lives and for sinful Mormons.

The telestial – For those who are carnal and sinful throughout life

Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn. –Matthew 13:30 (NLT)