The video continues by showing that the true church of Jesus Christ practices various activities.
Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Spirit
It says that the early church, established by Christ, baptised by immersion, and bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Mainstream Christianity has no problem with baptism by immersion or the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit.[1] The problem therefore lies in how Mormons understand these things.
Mormons believe that baptism is essential for exaltation and both baptism and the laying on of hands, must be administered by the proper authority i.e. by their leaders.
‘Baptism into Christ’s true church by proper authority opens the doors for exaltation in the eternal kingdoms of glory, exaltation to be earned by repentance, by living righteously, keeping the commandments of the Lord, and service to one’s fellowmen’[2]
The laying on of hands is the procedure revealed by the Lord for performing many priesthood ordinances, such as confirmation, ordination, setting members apart to serve in callings, administering to the sick, and giving other priesthood blessings (see D&C 42:44; Articles of Faith 1:4–5). Those having the proper priesthood authority place their hands upon the head of the person receiving the ordinance. In doing so, they serve as instruments through whom the Lord blesses His children (see D&C 36:2).[3]
If a person, who has previously been baptised in a different church, converts to Mormonism, they will need to be re-baptised by someone with the ‘proper authority’.
The video continues to claim the Mormon church as the true church because of its practice of divine healing and the fact that they have no paid ministry, but then comes the foundation upon which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands – the so-called great apostasy.
APOSTASY
Mormons teach that, after Jesus’ resurrection and the death of his apostles, the church lost its authority. They say that the church became totally apostate and remained so for over 1700 years.
‘Every Latter-day Saint knows that following the death of the apostles, Paul’s prophecy was fulfilled, for there were many ‘grievous wolves’ that entered the flock, and men arose ‘speaking perverse things’ so that the doctrines were changed, and the true Church of Jesus Christ ceased to be on the earth. For this reason, there had to come a restoration of the Church and a new revelation and a bestowal of divine authority. The Church of Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures are, therefore, not responsible for the changed doctrines and unscientific teachings of those times, when uninspired ecclesiastics controlled the thinking of people’.[4]
Claiming that the basic principles of the gospel became polluted, there was a need of restoration. This happened, according to the Mormons, in 1820 when God met with a young fifteen-year-old boy named Jospeh Smith.
IS IT TRUE?
Is it true? Did the church become totally apostate and in need of restoration? If correct, then Jesus was a liar.
In part one of this article, I mentioned Matthew 16:18:
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This is a difficult verse for Mormons because Jesus says that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. Who was telling the truth Jesus or Joseph? For certain, as mentioned in the Bible itself, false teachers would arise, but according to Jesus they could never completely overthrow His Church. Therefore, there was no need for the compete restoration they claim.
A CONTINUING REVELATION
The video claims that a restoration began in 1820, and it continues today through the church’s living prophets and apostles.
‘We Latter-day Saints have that new revelation. We have a new prophet and new scriptures also, which, added to the Bible, now point the way. This new revelation brought with it the true understanding of the nature of God and a restoration of primitive Christianity. That restoration is Mormonism. It came about through the ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun. He saw God and communed with him, even as did Moses’[5]
We can say with a certain confidence, that the church of Christ was never totally apostate, that there has never been a need for new revelation or new scriptures. The Bible is enough.
Their new revelation has not brought a new understanding of the nature of God, but rather a completely different understanding; one which is at complete odds with the God revealed in the pages of Holy Bible.
LED BY CHRIST?
The closing part of the video announces with great pride that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on the earth today, led by him who established it. I agree!
The Mormon Church is indeed being led by him who established it, but it was not established by God. This church is not the church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. It has a different gospel, a different Jesus and a different Spirit.
A thorough investigation of its origins and teachings, reveals that the question should not be ‘How can it not be true?’ but rather, ‘How on earth can it be true?’ Friends, it is not!
[1] Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy
Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
[2] Spencer W. Kimball, ‘The
Stone Cut without Hands’ Ensign May 1976, p.7
[4] Joseph Fielding Smith, Man,
His Origin and Destiny. P.467
[5] Mark E. Petersen,
Conference Reports, April 1964 p.19
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