Expert: Sal - 5/13/2004

Question
My friend June, a catholic was told many strange things about mormons by her priest because she was attending mormon services. Can you please tell me what you know about the mormon faith? Thank you.

Answer
Dear Steven:

Your friend's priest is right: Mormonism has many strange beliefs. I will list some of them for you. If you would like more information on any of them feel free to ask and I will be happy to comply.

1)   The Great Apostasy-Mormonism teaches that a great falling away from God's truth occurred in Jesus' Church. This, they claim, happened at about 100 A.D. The truth of God was lost from then until Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, returned the truth of God to the world via Mormonism. This is believed even though there is not one passage that substantiates a total falling away. Many Bible passages contradict this Mormon belief such as Matthew 16:18, John 14:16, and Matthew 28:20, for example.
2)   The Book of Mormon is equal to the Bible as god's infallible, inerrant word. They believe this despite the fact that the Book of Mormon contains many errors. For example, it says that at the crucifixion of Jesus there was darkness for three days (III Nephi 8:23). The Bible says that the darkness lasted for only three hours (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
3)   Polytheism-Mormons believe in many gods.
4)   A good Mormon man can become god of his own universe.
5)   God has a physical body. They believe this despite the clear biblical evidence that God is pure spirit. “God is Spirit” (John 4:24).
6)   God was once just a man living on another planet.
7)   God is married and has spirit children with his goddess wife/wives.
8)   Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers.
9)   Jesus and Satan both presented God with plans on how to save Mankind. God chose Jesus' plan.
10)   God had sexual relations with Mary in order for Jesus to be born as an infant.
11)   Only Mormons can be saved.
12)   Baptism for the dead- Mormons believe that they can be baptized repeated for dead non-Mormons. This will make the dead non-Mormons Mormon.
13)   The Garden of Eden was located in or near Independence, Missouri.
14)   Adam and Eve, after their Fall, were banished to a valley in Spring Hill, Missouri.
15)   Polygamy-Mormons believe that God wants men to have more than one wife.
16)   Black skin is the sign that one is a cursed child of Cain.
17)   White skin shows that one may be a child of God.
18)   Black or brown skin will turn white after baptism into the Mormon Church (this belief has now been modified).
19)   Mormons do not believe in the Trinity.
20)   God cannot be in more than one place at a time.

These are some of the strange, unbiblical beliefs of the Mormons. If I can be of further help please do not hesitate to ask.

God Bless You,
Sal