AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question 1. Do Mormans believe in Heaven or Hell?
2. If a Morman marries a Christian would they be ex-communicated?
3. The Bible says in Rev 22:18 "and I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of 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 of this prophetic book, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. Why do Mormans believe this other book? Why not just believe God's word for what it says?
4. Do Mormans believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers?
5. What is the burning bosom?
Answer Hi Cheri,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon and Bible. In answer to your questions...
1. That is a tricky question, they are vague about it. They (the LDS) believe in degrees of glory as in Telestial (the worst but not a hell), Terestial (middle) and Celestial (heaven). The Celestial itself has 3 degrees where the "righteous" who are sealed or married in their temples shall inhereit the 3rd level of the Celestial kingdom and become "as Gods" eternally procreating spirit children and being "as Gods" over their own planet. Even the lowest degree of Telestial is not a hell as most Christians consider a hell. It was for this doctrine that I left the LDS Mormon church and joined a different Book of Mormon based church. The Book of Mormon itself repeatedly teaches only one heaven, and one hell (same as the Bible) and very specifically teaches only one God (unlike the LDS man becoming as Gods through celestial marriage). Jesus plainly taught in the Bible that in the afterlife the WORTHY shall neither be married nor be given in marriage, and shall be as angels or children of God. The Book of Mormon does not even remotely hint at this LDS doctrine or many other LDS doctrines and often condemns such doctrines.
2. No, many LDS have happy mixed faith marriages, however the couple cannot be sealed through celestial marriage. This places great pressure on the LDS member to convert the non-LDS partner so that they can become sealed and thus become Gods. It is the most important tenet in the LDS religion. Many mixed faith marriages with LDS fail for this reason. Often LDS members with mixed faith marriages are considered 2nd class citizens and are not promoted in the ranks of their ministry because they are not sealed.
3. The same thing is said earlier in the Bible:
Duet 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Duet 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Yet... Moses kept right on adding and adding, and all of the other Old and New Testament prophets and apostles. So what was God telling Moses? God was basically (in my words) telling Moses and all mankind "You, Man, do not alter, add or take away from the words that I, God, shall give unto you, however I am God, I can cause to be written more words as I see fit, I am not dead nor do I change". That is the same thing John in saying in the book of Revelation:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of THIS BOOK, If any man shall add unto THESE THINGS, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in THIS BOOK:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of THIS PROPHECY, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in THIS BOOK.
Clearly John is speaking of the Book of Revelation itself (this prophecy). The Bible (Greek word for Bible means book of books)as we know it did not even exist as a book until several hundred years later when a council of men decided which books to include and which to exclude. On the other hand God does not change (a strong Book of Mormon teaching) and if God spoke to men in times of past, He can do so again today and in the future. Some of the gifts of the spirit that the Bible teaches should exist in the New Testament church are the gifts of revelation and prophecy. Those who exercise faith and righteousness SHALL experience these gifts... it is an unalterable promise of God and I know of many including myself who indeed have experienced prophecy and revelation.
4. While I strongly disagree with the LDS Mormon (Utah faction) on many doctrines... I do not like to beat them up over things they do not really believe in. One or two past leaders of their church long ago taught something like this, but the vast majority today either are not even aware of this doctrine, or simply do not believe in it. I think the principle comes from their Celestial Marriage doctrine where we all are sort of brothers with Jesus who was once a man as we, and though polygamy (nuts!) or celestial marriage became Gods as we can (more nuts!).
5. It is a LDS tradition somewhat loosely based on a Book of Mormon passage about truth...
Alma 32:28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Really the truth does touch one's heart, and deep down they know it is true. The LDS misinterpret this though as some sort of revelation of the Book of Mormon being true. The Book of Mormon promises:
Moroni 10:4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
What the Book of Mormon is promising is NOT some nebulous "burning in the bosom" but a direct revelation from God that it is true. Most LDS have never experienced this. I did ask God if the Book of Mormon was true in simple faith and recieved a direct revelation it was true. This was not some vague heartburn but a direct communication with God in great glory and profound love and certainty. I cannot adequately describe the event. I also received a direct revelation that the LDS doctrine of Celestial Marriage was not of God and an offense to Him, and is the primary reason why I left that faction.
The Apostle Paul warns us to avoid an "Another Gospel", even if it comes from us (true apostles) or an angel of light. What Paul was referring to was avoiding a DIFFERENT gospel, something that teaches something OPPOSITE of the Bible. However doctrine for doctrine, the Book of Mormon is IDENTICAL to the Bible. Paul also teaches that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall every word be established... and that is the EXACT reason why God caused the Book of Mormon to come forth... to established the fact that the Bible is true, and Jesus is the Christ. Very unfortunately though... the largest Restoration faction (there are some 100 factions that profess the Book of Mormon) the Utah LDS Mormons that most people know about... do not follow the Bible nor the Book of Mormon. They profess it, and promote it, but in reality do not follow it's teachings in many ways. The objections you voiced is only the tip of the iceberg. The Book of Mormon strongly condemns many LDS beliefs (past and present) such as polygamy, baptism for the dead, a changing God and other practices. The very reason why I left the LDS is BECAUSE I believe in the Book of Mormon (and Bible) that they in large part have forsaken. It is much like how the Catholics profess the Bible but marginally follow it. Instead they follow the Pope and his whims, much like how the LDS follow their version of the Pope, what they call their Prophet or 1st President. It is not uncommon for apostates to not follow their own books.
It's a long story and hard to explain in one message. Feel free to ask other questions or for scriptural proof if you like.
