THE ORIGIN OF DENOMINATIONS
Lesson Fifteen
MORMONS
(1830)
I. IT'S BEGINNING:
The founder of the Mormon Church was Joseph Smith, who
claimed to have had a series of visions beginning when he was a
boy of fourteen. In these "visions" he claimed to have seen
God, Christ, angels, particularly the angel, "Moroni." He
allegedly was told that all existing churches were wrong, that
he was to join none, and that the pure gospel and true church
would be re-established through him. Smith claimed the angel
Moroni appeared to him and revealed the hiding place of certain
"gold plates" on which was inscribed the gospel. With the aid
of Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, Smith is
supposed to have translated these plates into what is now
called the Book of Mormon. Interestingly, Smith claims that
these plates were taken away from him by the angel after he had
completed the translation of them.
The Book of Mormon claims to be an account of the ancient
inhabitants of the North American Continent and a history of
some of the Jews. Mormons claim continuous revelation. Other
books which they accept as inspired are the Book of Doctrines
and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, both written by
Smith, whom they claim was a prophet of God.
In order to make room for the Book of Mormon and these
other writings, Mormons accept the Bible only "as far as it has
been correctly translated." Thus, when contradictions arise
between the Book of Mormon and the Bible, it is because the
Bible has not been "correctly translated." (Book of Mormon, p.
22; 119).
Smith claimed that he was guided by God, word by word, in
the translation of the Book of Mormon. He stated, "I told the
brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any
book on earth, and the keystones of our religion, and a man
would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any
other book." (History of the Church, Vol. IV, p. 461). And yet,
there are literally thousands of changes that have been made
since the first edition came out. A few years ago, "Jack Free
of Ontario, Oregon, compared a first edition reprint of the
Book of Mormon with a current edition. He tabulated 12,349
changes!" (Church Origins, Bill Crews, p. 20).
The church had its beginning April 6, 1830 at Fayette, New
York, with six members. "In 1831, Smith and a small company of
converts moved to Kirtland, Ohio, but because of a scandal
which occurred there they moved to Missouri. Trouble breaking
out here, Smith and about fifteen thousand followers went to
Nauvoo, Ill. It was here that the doctrine of polygamy was
introduced, although Mormons had been accused before this of
unholy relationship with numerous women.
"Internal trouble arose at Nauvoo and public opinion ran
high against the Mormons. Finally Smith and his brother, Hyrum
were arrested on a charge of treason and lodged in the jail at
Carthage. Here a mob broke into the jail and shot the two
brothers. After Smith's death the Mormons split into several
divisions, one under the leadership of J. J. Strange, went to
Wisconsin, but died out upon the death of its leader; another
group formed the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints, but the main body, under the leadership of Brigham
Young, immigrated in 1848 to Utah. This, even today, is by far
the largest body of Mormons and has its headquarters in Salt
Lake City." (Churches of Today, Tomlinson, p. 84).
The Reorganized branch set up its headquarters in Inde-
pendence, Missouri. Each of these groups claims to be the
original one and each claims books of inspiration besides the
Bible.
II. IT'S ORGANIZATION:
"They have two orders of the priesthood, the Melchizedek
(the higher order) and the Aaronic (the lower). The Melchizedek
Priesthood holds the power of the presidency and authority over
various offices of the Church. Its members hold authority to
officiate in all the 'ordinances of the gospel.' From higher to
lower its offices are apostles, patriarches, high priests,
seventies and elders. The apostles are 'special witnesses of
Christ,' and there are only twelve of these at a time. The
patriarches or evangelists have the duty of blessing the
members; a presiding patriarch has the power to 'bless or
curse, to bind or loose on earth' and is a prophet, seer and
revelator. The high priests are for a standing presidency and
service. The elders have authority to bless children and take
charge of meetings (there are 96 in a quorum). The seventies
are travelling elders and are arranged in groups or quorums of
70; they work under the general direction of the twelve
apostles and are presided over by seven presidents of equal
rank among their number.
"The Aaronic Priesthood is said to guide the temporal
affairs of the church. Its offices in a descending scale are
bishops, priests, teachers and deacons. One may become a deacon
at age twelve (boys only); deacons are grouped in quorums of
12, presided over by one of the number serving as their
president. Teachers are grouped in quorums of 24. The priests,
who preach and teach, have 48 to a quorum.
"Local congregations are wards and each ward is headed by a
bishop. Wards are grouped together into stakes, and each stake
is headed by a high priest who in this capacity is called the
president of the stake. Many stakes also include missions,
which are not sulf-sustaining wards yet. The stake presidents
and ward bishops, along with the patriarches, high priests and
elders supervise the work within the various stakes and wards.
"The council of the twelve apostles, chosen by
'revelation,' supervises (under the direction of the First
Presidency) the whole work of the Church and ordains all
'ministers.'
"The presiding council of the church is the First
Presidency composed of three high priests, one the president
and two his counselors. Final and universal authority in
spiritual and temporal affairs rests in the First Presidency.
The president is regarded as 'the mouthpiece of God'." (Church
Origins, Bill Crews, pages 20-21).
III. SOME OF THE MAJOR DOCTRINES OF THE MORMON CHURCH:
1. That there are many Gods. Some Mormons may not understand
this teaching of Mormonism, while many do. "A general
assembly, quorum or grand council of the gods, with their
president at their head, constitute the designing and
creating power" (Key of Theology, page 52).
2. That the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it and
Doctrine and Covenants are on a par with the Bible.
(Articles of Faith, Art. 8).
3. That the Bible is not all of the Word of God. (Book of
Mormon, II Nephi 12:53-64)
4. That the Bible has scarcely a verse that is not polluted.
(Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, pages 204, 205,
218, Orson Pratt).
5. That God has a body of bones and flesh. "That which is
without body, parts and passions is nothing. There is no
other God in heaven, but that God who has flesh and bones as
tangible as man's." (Doctrine and Covenant, Sec. 130:22).
6. That the gods marry and bear children. "Each god, through
his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and
daughters" (The Seer, Vol. 1, page 37).
7. That Jesus was a polygamist. "....that there were several
holy women that greatly loved Jesus, such as Mary and
Martha, her sister, and Mary Magdalene; and Jesus greatly
loved them, and associated with them much.....if all the
acts of Jesus were written, we, no doubt, should learn that
these beloved women were His wives." (The Seer, Vol. 1, page
158, 159). NOTE: The practice of having many wifes was
condoned until the U. S. Government made it illegal.
8. That Joseph Smith was a prophet. "But, behold, verily,
verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to
receive commandments and revelations in this church
excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., for he receiveth
them, even as Moses" (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 28:2).
9. There can be no true church today without living apostles
and prophets.
10. That water in place of the fruit of the vine should be used
in the Lord's Supper.
11. Marriage is for eternity. (One Way, Ibid, pg. 17)
12. Mormons baptize for the dead. (One Way, Ibid, pg. 17)
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