A Comparison of the LDS Articles of Faith with the Bible - Part 2 by Lloyd Sharp

Article 4: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

There are two major problems with this article. The first has to do with the Mormon concept of who Jesus Christ is. After all, faith in a false Christ does nothing but offer false salvation.

The Mormon Jesus is a created being. His creation took place by intimate relations between God the father and a Heavenly Mother. The teaching of a Heavenly Mother is taught to be an "unspoken Truth" in Mormonism (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.516). Mormon apostle James Talmage eluded to this when he wrote "Jesus Christ is the Son of Elohim [God the Father] both as spiritual and bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh." (Talmage, A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.466, italics and inserts added)

The LDS church also teaches that Lucifer is the spiritbrother of Jesus! Former LDS prophet Spencer Kimball wrote that "Long before you were born a program was developed by your creators.... The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim [God the Father], perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah [Jesus]." (Teachings of Spencer W.Kimball, p.32-33, inserts added)

"The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.193)

The false Christ of the LDS church does not measure up to the almighty Jesus portrayed in the Bible. Rather than being created Jesus is eternal (John 1:1,14; Revelation 1:8). Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1:1-2, 14; Colossians 1:15; 2:9). As God, Jesus created all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16) including angels. Lucifer is an angel, specifically a cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). He is not and never was related to Jesus Christ.

Secondly baptism in the LDS church is different from what the Bible teaches. According to the LDS church a person must be baptized or they cannot be saved. Joseph Smith proclaimed, "Many talk of baptism not being essential to salvation; but this kind of teaching would lay the foundation of their damnation." (Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.361)

Only those who are baptized can obtain true salvation, or godhood in Mormonism (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.670). Nor can you receive the Holy Spirit until you are baptized (Gospel Principles, p.124-125 1988 ed.). It is important to understand that Mormons are baptized into a church (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:17), not into Christ as the Bible teaches (Romans 1:3).

Nor does the Bible teach that baptism must come before receiving the Holy Ghost. While in Caesarea Peter preached the gospel and all who heard received the Holy Spirit before being baptized (Acts 10:44-47).

Article 5: "We believe that a man must be called by God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

The ambiguity of this article is misleading. While the Bible teaches that a person must be called of God to preach the Gospel (Romans 10:15), prophecy and the laying on of hands is not a mandatory prerequisite for this in the Bible.

The same problem arises with the issue of "the laying on of hands by those who are in authority." There is very little mention of the laying on of hands in the Bible. Indeed most of the greatest prophets such as Noah, Moses, John the Baptist and Isaiah never mention this happening to them. Would the LDS church suggest they did not have the proper authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof? And what of "those who are in authority?" The Bible tells us that "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12, italics added)." Would the LDS church suggest that the Bible is incorrect and that faith in Christ alone is not what is needed to be a child of God and have all the privileges that such a position holds?

In our next newsletter I will continue our guide through the LDS Articles of faith.

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