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 Thank you kindly Mr. Michael, I would love to have those quotes, I'm facinated by so many beliefs existing within a religion.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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Dear Mr. Michael,
Hello, my name is Sang Cho, I am a 16 years old. Just recently my Mormon friend Todd, turned 16. He said that he really does like me but he cannot date me. Something about his family and church disapproving. I think he said that it was because he is not to date just one person continuously. Is that true? And if so, is there any way around it? Could it be that he can't date me because I am of a different religion? (I am chinese so I come from a buhdist religion) Thank you so much for your help!
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Hi Sang Cho,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon.
I am not aware of any LDS (Utah Mormon) rule or belief that states that they should not date one person continuously.
On the other hand they and most churches (mine included)discourage dating those of different religions. This is mainly due to the conflicts and potential divorces that often arise in mixed faith marriages. It is difficult enough for a same faith marriage to last and having different religions can cause a lot of problems. Some mistakenly believe that they can eventually convert their partner to thier faith but this rarely occurs. If a couple with different faiths are dating and are considering marriage I would strongly recommend that they study the scriptures and agree to join the religion that best follows the scriptures before marriage. This may be impossible between a Christian and Buhdist faith as they do not recognize each other's books as scriptures.
With the Utah LDS Mormons this is an especially difficult issue because of their belief in Celestial Marriage (also known as Temple Sealings). Thier belief is that when a righteous couple who are MEMBERS and are married or sealed in their temples... are married in this life and the next for eternity. They also believe that this will entitle them to the 3rd level of the highest glory and be as Gods who shall then populate their own planets with spirit children. They believe that Jesus Christ was once a mere human as we and through Celestial Marriage evolved into a God along with his wife, a Heavenly Mother.
In reality this belief comes from old world pagan religions and the beliefs of the Masons, a secret society. This belief is not once ever mentioned in either the Bible or Book of Mormon and is even in many ways strongly taught AGAINST. The Utah Mormons do not really follow the teachings of their own Book of Mormon!
In the LDS Mormon faith Celestial Marriage is the acme of their religion... their very most important doctrine. A member cannot be sealed (and thus cannot become a God) unless their spouse is also a baptized member (and is willing to totally foresake their old religion) and is also sealed with them. In the Utah church those of mixed faith marriages are considered 2nd class citizens and in some cases are shunned or even counselled to get a divorce. Both Bible and Book of Mormon strongly condemn divorce and remarriage except in the case of adultery (or death) and then only the innocent party may remarry.
The very reason why I left the Utah faction is because of this very doctrine... it is patently false and an abomination to God. Both books repeatedly teach there is only one God who is eternal, perfect and utterly unchangeable (never evolved) and that man is not a God. Jesus plainly taught that in the next life the WORTHY shall inheret the kingdom of heaven and NOT be married but be as angels (not Gods) in heaven.
If you like, I can send specific quotes from both Bible and Book of Mormon that oppose this LDS doctrine. I seriously doubt you will be able to change the mind of this guy you wish to date... I've debated with them for years and years and not made one convert. The Utah LDS religion is much like a cult and it is very difficult to convert them once they have been indoctrinated.
Best Regards,
Mike
Answer Hi Sang Cho,
I will be happy to supply the scripture quotes that you requested. I will break them down by subject as follows:
1. Polygamy. The Utah LDS church used to practice polygamy (having many wives). They currently disavow the practice but will still defend their early leaders who used to do this. The Book of Mormon strongly opposes this:
Jacob 2:23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
Mosiah 11:2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.
Ether 10:5 And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.
2. Celestial Marriage. The Utah people believe that God changes and was once a man who evolved into a God through Celestial Marriage and that a sealed man and woman can also be as Gods or Heavenly Fathers and Mothers. This is completely absent in the Book of Mormon and even taught against in many ways in both books:
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Mormon 9:19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Mormon 9:9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?
Mark 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
3. Baptism for the Dead. The Utah Mormons believe in Baptism for the Dead... another temple rite where a living person can be baptized in the name of a dead person thereby offering salvation for the dead. However the Book of Mormon strongly opposes this:
Alma 34:33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.
Moroni 8:18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.20 And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption.21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—23 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.24 Behold, my son, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law.
That is just a sampling of the many scriptures that condemn these Utah Mormon doctrines. There are many other lesser doctrines as well that the scriptures oppose that I could include but didn't want to make this message too long. I hope this helps answer your questions... feel free to ask others if you like.
