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 Hey thanks for answering my questions.
I understand you don't agree with some of the LDS churches doctrine. But why do you disagree with teachings such as baptisms for the dead. It is breifly mentioned in the bible in 1 Corinthians 15. I'm not well educated when it comes to the bible, but basically asks them why they are doing baptisms for the dead if the dead rise not.(speaking of resurrection) And what do you mean by a changing god? God doesn't change. I wasn't aware that the LDS church believed such a thing. He said it himself he's the same yesterday today and forever.
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Followup To
Question -
You said that your church is organized exactly the same as the primitive church in the Bible. My question is, why isn't your church founded on a foundation of prophets and apostles like the church used to be? (Ephesians 2:19-20) If you have no prophet and apostles, who is it that holds authority and recieves revelation from God to lead his church?
And just out of curiosity, you also mentioned you believed in the Book of Mormon. Wouldn't that mean that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God? And that the Book of Mormon was a fruit of the prophet Joseph Smith? Do you think Mormons are wierd?
Answer -
Hi M,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note that I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon.
Our church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ... that is the same foundation that the prophets and apostles were built on. The Church of Christ has Apostles as the overseers of the church. We do not have one prophet as the head. Many in our church, primarily Elders and Apostles have had the gift of Prophecy and Revelation given to them from time to time. In the scriptures even women and children have been given the gift of prophecy. It is Jesus Christ who leads our church, not one man in the position as a pope or supreme commander.
Joseph Smith could be technically labeled as a prophet but really he was more of a translator than a prophet. He himself makes no claim as authoring any portion of the Book of Mormon. Research shows conclusively (at least in my mind) that the Book of Mormon was written by several authors of Hebrew decent. Many critics often point out the poor English grammar found in the Book of Mormon but fail to realize that the grammar is excellent Hebrew grammar.
Do I think Mormons are weird? Well, I don't know if I would say that. There are many points of their beliefs that I strongly disagree with. Doctrines such as the past practice of polygamy, the current beliefs of Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, the First Presidency, a Changing God, Man becoming a God, Etc. are all utterly absent from the Book of Mormon and in many ways are even taught against in the Book of Mormon. You see the very reason why I left the Utah faction is BECAUSE I believe in the Book of Mormon (and Bible). Doctrine for Doctrine the Bible and Book of Mormon agree without exception. The LDS Utah faction in many ways disregard the teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon and instead blindly follow the teachings of those whom they call prophets.
Joseph Smith fell into this idolotrous trap. Really the only prophecy of his that I know of that ever really came to pass was the one fortelling of his own demise because of his pride and yielding to the temptations of the world.
Do I believe God used Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon and restore the Church of Christ? Absolutely. Do I view him as an infallible pope who never made a mistake? No. Many in the Bible such as David and Solomon started out humbly and God used them, even to write scripture, but later they gave into the temptations of the flesh and it destroyed their lives and reputations. David penned the Psalms yet had 100s of wives and concubines and murdered Uriah to steal his wife. Solomon penned the Proverbs but also had many wives and concubines and brought into Israel strange wives with their idolotrous religions which led to Israel's complete apostasy and ruin. Evangelicals will decry the mistakes of Smith but wouldn't think of tearing out Psalms or Proverbs from their Bibles.
In summary I believe Joseph Smith was used by God, possibly as a prophet, but fell and he and the church paid dearly for it. Due to Smith's mistakes I believe God allowed him to be killed and the church scattered by her enemies (even in this land of religious freedom)... much like what happened to Israel time and time again when they apostatized. Even in the Old Testament there are a couple of cases of true prophets apostatizing, Balaam for one who was rebuked by a dumb ass, another that was eaten by a lion.
Today their are some 100 factions that believe in the Book of Mormon, the LDS faction being by far the largest.
Regards,
Michael Kelley
Answer Hi M,
I will answer your questions below in **, Mike
You sent: Hey thanks for answering my questions.
I understand you don't agree with some of the LDS churches doctrine. But why do you disagree with teachings such as baptisms for the dead. It is breifly mentioned in the bible in 1 Corinthians 15. I'm not well educated when it comes to the bible, but basically asks them why they are doing baptisms for the dead if the dead rise not.(speaking of resurrection)
**Mike replies: The section in 1 Cor 15 is poorly translated. Throughout the entire chapter Paul is speaking specifically about the Corinthian's lack of belief in the resurrection. That is the entire theme of Paul's message. Other Bible translations say something to this effect "Why are you baptized for the hope of the dead if you do not believe in the resurrection?". What Paul was really trying to say is why are you even being baptized if you do not believe in the resurrection? More importantly however is what the Book of Mormon teaches. This doctrine is not once mentioned or alluded to ever, and is even taught against. In Moroni 8 the ancient prophet Mormon is commanded directly by God to teach that infants, little children and adults who never knew the law need no baptism and it is a solemn mockery before God to suppose they do. After all how many innocent adults, infants and little children have died without baptism... would one suppose they go to hell just because they were not baptized? The Book of Mormon plainly teaches that only those who are accountable, who knew the law of will of God and disobeyed knowingly are in need of repentance and baptism. There are many places in the Book of Mormon that teaches this very plainly. The LDS doctrine of Baptism for the Dead teaches that the ignorant or innocent must also be baptized by proxy baptism yet they fail to account for the countless millions who have died in infancy or in ignorance who they could not possibly know their names and be baptized in their place.
You sent: And what do you mean by a changing god? God doesn't change. I wasn't aware that the LDS church believed such a thing. He said it himself he's the same yesterday today and forever.
**Mike: Right, God is unchangeable... both Bible and Book of Mormon strongly and repeatedly teach this... not even a shadow of variableness. The Book of Mormon teaches that if God were to change He would cease to be God. The LDS church believes that through Celestial Marriage we can become Gods and populate our own planets and they believe that Jesus was a mere human as we were in some past life and through Celestial Marriage became a God. They also believe God can change His mind and this is reflected in their Doctrine and Covenants many times. The original revelations that Joseph Smith received were compiled in a book called the Book of Commandments and later, to accommodate their changing beliefs and desires, altered these revelations and is now called the Doctrine and Covenants. They even changed the name of the early church from the original Church of Christ to "the Church of Latter Day Saints" to "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". The Book of Mormon simply calls it the Church of Christ. In reality the doctrine of Celestial Marriage and man and woman becoming Heavenly Fathers and Heavenly Mothers came from Masonic beliefs and was used as a trojan horse to bring in the abominable practice of polygamy. The Book of Mormon boldly terms polygamy as a whoredom and abomination before God, whose practicers shall be thrust down to hell, no exceptions, no excuses.
If you like I can provide specific scripture quotes to back up everything I have written. I like to always say... don't trust what I say, trust the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
Mike
P.S. If you need any follow up, please be a little patient, I am on the road and may not be able to access my emails all the time. Thanks!
