Mormon Doctrine

Mormon Doctrine questions and answers

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Q: Mormon Doctrine.?
If anyone would sincerely talk about Mormon Religion and their Doctrine I would like that. Please no bashing or anything negative. Be prepared with facts not second or third hand information. I am a Latter-Day Saint Theologian.

A: As a true believer I'll put it this way, I don't believe that God stopped speaking just because His book went to print!!

Q: In what edition was the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants first published together?
Could you also tell me what editions of the BOM are currently in the public domain? I know the 1920 is, what about 1948?

A: Here's a concise publishing history of the Book of Mormon: http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/book_of_mormon/book_of_mormon.html I don't see a 1948 edition, but that list might not be comprehensive. It's not clear in your first question whether you're referring to the Book of Mormon and D&C being published together in the same volume, or whether you're just asking if there was a time when the two books were published simultaneously. This Wikipedia page might have what you're looking for: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_and_Covenants

Q: I am looking for a specific illustrated children's book about Mormon doctrine from the 60s-70s. Any guesses? ?
The book is not Church produced. Probably out of print but who knows the author/ISBN number? I really really want it but haven't seen one since my mission.

A: Could you give us some more details? There were and are tons of children books on LDS doctrine through such dealers as Deseret Book and the church. Perhaps a main point, type of artwork, author, etc.

Q: How does "Mormon" doctrine contradict the Bible?
I'm puzzled by the claim that the things taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka: Mormons) contradicts the Bible. I'm LDS and I use both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. How can what we teach contradict the Bible when we use the Bible to teach it?

A: Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. http://www.towertotruth.net/mormon/witne... I encourage all mormons to ponder these questions... 1. Why does the Mormon Church still teach that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God after he made a false prophecy about a temple being built in Missouri in his generation (Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5)? 2. Since the time when Brigham Young taught that both the moon and the sun were inhabited by people, has the Mormon Church ever found scientific evidence of that to be true (Journal of Discourses, 1870, v.13, p.271)? 3. Why did Brigham Young teach that Adam is “our Father and our God” when both the Bible and the Book of Mormon (Mormon 9:12) say that Adam is a creation of God (Journal of Discourses, Apr. 9, 1852, vol.1, p.50)? 4. If Brigham Young was a true prophet, how come one of your later prophets overturned his declaration which stated that the black man could never hold the priesthood in the LDS Church until after the resurrection of all other races (Journal of Discourses, Dec. 12, 1854, 2:142-143)? 5. Since the Bible’s test to determine whether someone is a true prophet of God is 100% accuracy in all his prophecies (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), has the LDS Church ever reconsidered its teaching that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were true prophets? 6. Since the current LDS prophets sometimes contradict the former ones, how do you decide which one is correct? 7. Since there are several different contradictory accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision, how did the LDS Church choose the correct one? 8. Can you show me in the Bible the LDS teaching that we must all stand before Joseph Smith on the Day of Judgment? Mormon Scripture 9. Can you show me archeological and historical proof from non-Mormon sources that prove that the peoples and places named in the Book of Mormon are true? 10. If the words “familiar spirit” in Isaiah 29:4 refer to the Book of Mormon, why do familiar spirits always refer to occult practices such as channeling and necromancy everywhere else in the Old Testament? 11. Why did Joseph Smith condone polygamy as an ordinance from God (Doctrine and Covenants 132) when the Book of Mormon had already condemned the practice (Jacob 1:15, 2:24)? 12. Why were the words “white and delightsome” in 2 Nephi 30:6 changed to “pure and delightsome” right on the heels of the Civil Rights campaign for blacks? 13. If God is an exalted man with a body of flesh and bones, why does Alma 18:26-28 and John 4:24 say that God is a spirit? 14. Why did God encourage Abraham & Sarah to lie in Abraham 2:24? Isn’t lying a sin according to the 10 commandments? Why did God tell Abraham and Sarah to lie when 2 Nephi 9:34 condemns liars to hell? 15. Why does the Book of Mormon state that Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10) when history and the Bible state that he was born outside of Jerusalem, in Bethlehem? 16. If the Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, as Joseph Smith said, why does it contain over 4000 changes from the original 1830 edition? 17. If the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the everlasting gospel”, why does the LDS Church need additional works? 18. If the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the everlasting gospel”, why doesn’t it say anything about so many important teachings such as eternal progression, celestial marriage, the Word of Wisdom, the plurality of Gods, the pre-existence of man, our mother in heaven, baptism for the dead, etc? 19. Why do you baptize for the dead when both Mosiah 3:25 and the Bible state that there is no chance of salvation after death? 20. Since the word grace means a free gift that can’t be earned, why does the Book of Mormon state “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23)? 21. Does the LDS Church still regard the Pearl of Great Price as Holy Scripture even after several prominent Egyptologists proved it was an ancient funeral scroll? 22. Why does the Book of Abraham, chapters 4 & 5, contradict Alma 11 in stating that there is more than one God? 23. Why does Doctrine and Covenants 42:18 say there is no forgiveness for a murderer when 3 Nephi 30:2 says there is forgiveness for him? 24. If the Adam-God doctrine isn’t true, how come Doctrine and Covenants 27:11 calls Adam the Ancient of Days which is clearly a title for God in Daniel chapter 7? 25. Why does the Book of Mormon contain extensive, word-for-word quotes from the Bible if the LDS Church is correct in teaching that the Bible has been corrupted? 26. Why do the Bible verses quoted in the Book of Mormon contain the italicized words from the King James Version that were added into the KJV text by the translators in the 16th and 17th centuries? 27. If the Book of Mormon was engraved on gold plates thousands of years ago, why does it read in perfect 1611 King James Version English? Bible Questions 28. If marriage is essential to achieve exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry (1 Corinthians 7:1)? 29. Since the Word of Wisdom teaches us to abstain from alcohol, why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23)? 30. If obeying the Word of Wisdom - which tells us to abstain from caffeine, alcohol and tobacco - is important for our exaltation, why did Jesus say that there is nothing that can enter a man to make him defiled (Mark 7:15)? 31. If Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and Elohim is referred to as God in the Old Testament, can you explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to me: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD (Jehovah) our God (Elohim) is one LORD (Jehovah)? 32. Why does the Mormon Church teach that we can be married in heaven when Jesus said in Matthew 22:30 that in the resurrection men neither marry, nor are they given in marriage? 33. How can worthy Mormon males become Gods in the afterlife when God already said that before him no God was formed, nor will there be any Gods formed after him (Isaiah 43:10)? 34. If God had a father who was a God, how come Isaiah 44:8 says that he doesn’t know him? 35. If God was once just a man who progressed to becoming a God, how do you explain Psalm 90:2: “…even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God”? 36. How can God be an exalted man when Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man? 37. Why does the Mormon Church teach that Elohim had sexual relations with Mary to produce Jesus when both Matthew and Luke teach she was a virgin (The Seer, January, 1853, p.158)? 38. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus paid for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane when 1 Peter 2:24 says it was on the cross? 39. Why did Bruce McConkie write that a man may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood of Christ (Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p.93) when the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)? 40. Why does the LDS Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when 1 Corinthians 15:46 says that the physical body comes before the spiritual? 41. Since Jesus statement, “Be ye therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48) is in the present tense, are you perfect right now? Do you expect to be perfect soon? According to Hebrews 10:14, how are we made perfect? 42. Why do Mormons say the sticks in Ezekiel 37 represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon when Ezekiel 37:20-22 tells us that the sticks represent two nations, not two books? 43. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers when both the first chapter of John and Colossians teach that Jesus is the Creator of all things, including Lucifer? 44. Why do worthy Mormon males hold the Aaronic priesthood since Hebrews 7:11-12 clearly teaches that it was changed and superceded by something better? 45. If your leaders are correct about the complete falling away of the true church on earth, was Jesus in error when he said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18)? General 46. If having a physical body is necessary to become a god, how did Jesus become a god before he had a body? 47. Do you think the LDS Church will reconsider its teachings that the American Indians are descendants of the Jewish race now that DNA evidence has proven that they are actually descendants of the Asian race? 48. If polygamy was officially re-instituted by the Mormon Church, how would your wife feel about you taking another woman? 49. Since the LDS Church teaches that there was a complete apostasy of the true church on earth, does that mean that the 3 living Nephites and the Apostle John went into apostasy also? 50. Why are Mormon Temple ceremonies secret to the public when the Old Testament temple ceremonies were open to public knowledge?

Q: Is it part of Mormon Church Doctrine to thumbs down and to report questions that are asked about their church?


A: Not doctrine but practice. Mormons continually squelch many forms of "dissent" and disagreement with their religion. I know. Over my years, I have worked for several public libraries, and I was told that mormons regularly check out anti-mormon books and keep them "checked out" permenantly, They are supressing opposition. And take a look at the Book of Mormon. It has been ... "corrected" ... like 40-some times now? And with each revision, they are required to "consider" that all previous editions of the B.O.M. simply do not exist, regardless of the contradictions between different versions. Censorship? I think SO! But it is not their doctrine, bit is their practice. Have a blessed day.

Q: LDS / Mormon : How do you look past the discrepancies in the Church, it's leaders, and it's doctrine?
Honestly. Growing up Mormon I believed in the church but when I started to see the problems in it, it eventually led to my decision to leave the church. I honestly think it would be easier to be a Mormon knowing by being righteous, doing what is taught by the doctrine, and believing in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost I could ensure my eternal happiness. But I simply can't, I can't get past the cover ups, and discrepancies? How do you do it? Can any of you explain the method, be it prayer, or study, or ignorance, surrounding yourself with other people that will re-affirm your beliefs. What is your method that helps you look past the problems in the LDS church?

A: True believers don't think there are discrepancies or cover-ups. They're convinced it's lies, misconceptions, and "anti-mormon propaganda." It isn't as though they know of the problems and consciously figure out a way to look past them, they don't believe the problems exist in the first place. Just my opinion. I'm with you, I can't get past what to me is the obvious fact that Joseph Smith was a lecher.

Q: According to the Mormon scripture Doctrine and Covenants 89, you may drink mild drink made of barley.?
When I saw this I right away though, beer. Beer is not strong nor week, it is mild. Beer contains barley, is that what that means?

A: Beer of the old west was vastly different from beer of today. For a long time, mild wines and beers were used instead of water because the small amount of alcohol served to kill off bacteria, which was prone to growing in water that people had no way to purify. But that is why we believe in modern prophets to lead and guide us. They can clarify such passages for our day and time. And our modern prophets have told us to abstain from ALL forms off alcohol, as there are plenty of other options now (purified water, juice, etc.).

Q: Your opinion of Mormon doctrine?
Have any of you studied Mormon doctrine? How does it line up with the Bible, and only the Bible? -- none of their other books?

A: I studied Mormon teachings. Joseph Smith was mislead by the devil and invented an American born religion that contradicts the truths of Christianity like the Trinity. God is one and his teachings are one.

Q: What is your opinion on the Mormon "Curse of Cain Doctrine" about African Americans?
From 1848 to 1978, blacks were not allowed to obtain the priesthood within the Mormon church, supposedly because they were descended from Cain and carried his curse of black skin (Moses 5:22, Pearl of Great Price). It is thought that those that had fought less valiantly during the War in Heaven between Jesus and his brother Lucifer (Satan) in the pre-existence were brought to Earth carrying the mark of Cain and were born as negroes (Mormon Doctrine, p.527, 1966 ed.). Blacks could not have the priesthood and were to be servants to the other races, according to God's commandment. In 1978, the priesthood-ban was rescinded, but in 1997, when asked whether in retrospect the church had been wrong about the policy, the prophet answered "No, I don't think it was wrong. It, things, various things happened in different periods. There's a reason for them." (Australian TV Program COMPASS, Aust. Broadcasting Company, Nov. 9, 1997) Should this be viewed as sacred beliefs or as racial bigotry?

A: Most churches have a past history of discrimination (Catholics discriminated against Jews and Muslims in the middle ages, southern Protestants discriminated against African Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries, some Muslims have discriminated against "infidels" in recent years, etc). Unfortunately, in the past (before I was born), Mormons taught some of the same things about blacks that Southern Protestants taught (Curse of Cain/Ham, etc) and so did not allow blacks to hold leadership positions in the church. Unlike Southern Protestants, however, Mormons never segragated their congregations and always taught that blacks could go to heaven. However, all that changed decades ago. Modern Mormonism is very much opposed to discrimination of any kind. Ironically, many who discriminate against us (professional anti-Mormons) hypocritically accuse us of being discriminators! The Mormon Church is not a racist church. I'm Mormon, and my wife is black. We were married in a Mormon temple, where the officiator told us that God approved of our marriage. My wife is treated well at church, as are the other African American members of our congregation. I've had a black bishop in several different Mormon congregations of which I've been a member. Many anti-Mormons, however, intentionally misrepresent Mormon teachings in an attempt to discredit Mormonism. I've written about this type of discrimination on my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com/brief_critique_anti-mormon_propaganda.php . Pay careful attention to the video at http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video62.php . To learn more about racial diversity in the Mormon church, visit http://www.allaboutmormons.com/racial_diversity_mormon_church.php . Also, to see videos of black Mormons, visit these sites: http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video44.php http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video76.php http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6VOBVDcSec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8V0oh2lNA0

Q: Mormon doctrine question--why is there going to be polygamy in the celestial kingdom?
This is not an attack on Mormonism, I am an inactive Mormon because of this issue (mainly). I don't feel like it makes sense that a man should have more than one wife ever, even in the celestial kingdom, even if more women will make it there than men. Please don't answer if you're not Mormon and you just want to attack Mormonism.

A: Well, the concept of godhood and poligamy go hand in hand...It's by having multiple wives and repeatedly impregnating all of them that the planet is populated. Of course, take a planet like, oh say earth for instance, there are probably at least 100,000 babies born every day...That's got to be a lot of wives!

Q: Is it bad to be a Mormon and Have your first Kiss before your 16?
Please no Anti Mormon comments, I'm just really curious, Is it Mormon Doctrine to not date before your 16 or is it "recommended"?

A: First of all kissing before you are 16 is up to you... I think I kissed for the first time at about 13 - but still didn't date til I was 15 1/2. Dating at 16 is advised, counseled - not COMMANDED.

Q: Are there two Mormon doctrines on the internet; the Mormon doctrine and the anti-Mormon doctrine?
Like those two competing websites; one distinctly pro-LDS maintained by active Mormons and one distinctly anti-LDS maintained by active ex-Mormons…don’t you think the Mormon religion provides such an excellent example of the dynamics of religion in the modern era?

A: No; there are not too different Mormon doctrines on the Internet !

Q: Do Native Americans appreciate the Mormon doctrine calling them ‘cursed by God’?
Their doctrine says something about two races of Hebrew people in ancient America; one was fair and delightsome and the other had dark skin because they were cursed by God...they can't have been cursed too much because the dark skinned ones killed all the fair and delightsome ones...this stuff makes my head hurt.

A: I am sure they appreciate the doctrine is so close to their own teachings. Before the destruction, Spider Grandmother sealed the more righteous people into hollow reeds which were used as boats. Upon arriving on a small piece of dry land, the people saw nothing around them but more water, even after planting a large bamboo shoot, climbing to the top, and looking about. Spider Woman then told the people to make boats out of more reeds, and using island "stepping-stones" along the way, the people sailed east until they eventually arrived on the mountainous coasts of the Fourth World. The true Pahana is the "Lost White Brother" of the Hopi. Pahana or Elder Brother left for the east at the time that the Hopi entered the Fourth World and began their migrations. However, the Hopi say that he will return again and at his coming the wicked will be destroyed and a new age of peace will be ushered into the world. It is said he will bring with him a missing section of a sacred Hopi stone in the possession of the Fire Clan, and that he will come wearing red. Traditionally, Hopis are buried facing eastward in expectation of the Pahana who will come from that direction.

Q: What is the Mormon justification for changing their doctrine that blacks are inherently inferior to whites?
I am an African American spirit-filled believer. I am interested in learning when and how Mormonism changed to embrace blacks in leadership. Also, is it true that the doctrine teaches that God lives with multiple wives on a planet and they are birthing spiritual children? Please forgive my ignorance, but I don't know if this WAS true or is still perceived as truth.

A: Political pressure is the answer to your first question. Yes, it is true - 2nd question. It's very important to dig beneath the respectable front of the LDS religion to get at its foundational doctrines. I recently asked a question on their take on the Trinity doctrine and discovered that they appear to be hiding behind the bona fide doctrine whilst promulgating a version that is an utter travesty of the orthodox teaching. Their doctrines on Jesus being Jehovah but being created by a different god, who in turn had his own father god lies at back of this birthing of spiritual children. Don't remain ignorant! Find out! Keep asking questions!

Q: Who can prove the Mormon Doctrine is wrong using the Bible or common sense?


A: this one is simple./....because the founder(Joesph Smith) said that he was giving gold plates from god that he translated as gods word, and then destroyed so that no one else could read them or translate them....he was crazy and thought that he is god, which is scary. Comman sense would say that hte plates hes talking about doesnt make any sense and that he was lying about it..... also I dont believe jesus existed anywhere, but they claim that jesus lived somewhere in north america.... or something to that affect..