educated Christains ONLY: I have a mormon friend and want to help her, she says...?

Question

she doesnt like her church, so i believe there is a foothold in place but i need some background info and a good way to come across with the message of christ, i care a lot about her and i want to show her the way, any help i so greatly appreciated

Answer 1

There are many questions that could be asked! (See the link below.) There are many areas where other Mormon "scripture" conflicts with the Bible. There is not enough room to list them all, but I would like to highlight a few.

Mormons teach that there are latter day revelations. The Bible says, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) Notice "the faith... WAS ONCE delivered." This leaves no room for latter day revelations.

Mormons teach that an angel gave Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon. They call it "another Testament". The Bible says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)

The Book of Mormon teaches that believers were called "Christians" in 73 BC. (Alma 46:15) The Bible says that the desciples were called "Christians first in Antioch". (Acts 11:26) This was about 41 AD.

The Book of Mormon talks about the church also in Alma 46:15. According to the Book of Mormon this was about 73 BC. About 100 years later though, Jesus said "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). This means that the church was yet to be established in the future. (It was established shortly after Christ rose from the dead. (See Acts 2.)

Mormons call young, unmarried men "Elders". The Bible says an Elder must be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6) and have children that believe (1 Timothy 3:4, Titus 1:6).

The book of Mormon teaches Jesus was to be born at Jerusalem (Alma 7:10). The Bible teaches Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1)

The Book of Mormon teaches that Melchizedek reigned under his father. (Alma 13:18) The Bible teaches his priesthood was without father. (Hebrews 7:3)

Mormons teach that one person can be baptized for another who has already died. Jesus taught "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16) "He... shall be saved". Not he is baptized and someone else shall be saved. We will each be judged by what we have done, not on the basis of what someone else has done. (2 Cor. 5:10)

The Book of Mormon teaches that at Christ's death, darkness covered the land for three DAYS. (3 Nephi 8:19-23) The Bible says it was three HOURS. (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44)

Mormons teach that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith translated it into English with the help of God. On the introduction page of the copy I have, there is a statement that "some minor errors" have existed in past editions that were corrected in this publication. If it were God's word and translated with the help of God, then how did it have any errors, no matter how "minor"?

Also, if there are or were minor errors, how can the book be trusted to be correct in the things that relate to showing us the way to serve God and how to be saved?

The Bible is the word of God and it is all we need for our doctrine, for reproof, to correct error, and to teach! (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I don't mean for these comments to be harsh, but there are many areas where the Bible does not agree with Mormon doctrine. I have given just a few examples and I have cited verses from the Bible and verses from the Book of Mormon so you can investigate it for yourself. If the Book of Mormon contains errors, which it does, then it cannot be the Word of God and it must be rejected.

Answer 2

There has been a lot of nonsense written in the answers above, so I will try to cut through it. My background is that of an evangelical Christian, my (now ex) husband was a minister, and I have qualifications in theology and Biblical Studies. I was area director for an anti-Mormon organisation for five years.

I am now a Mormon, and have been for over ten years. Praise the Lord, I finally found Christ's true and living church.

Let me also say that almost every part of Matt D's answer was as wrong as it could be, and shows how little people know about Mormons. I believed some of that nonsense too. But Mormons do believe in Christ, and they do rely on him as their Saviour. Perhaps, as in any church, you get some old folks who have missed the point in that respect and think they are somehow earning their salvation, but almost all the Mormons I know love the Lord Jesus Christ and strive to worship and serve Him in every area of their lives.

This probably goes for your friend too. You don't need to introduce her to Christ - she already knows him, or should do, if she ever really listened to the missionaries and meant the commitment when she was baptised. What she needs to know is which is His church, or where she feels closest to Him and can best progress spiritually.

Rather than just invite her to your church, why not meet her halfway and go to hers too? That way you can have a more open discussion about what she does and does not like about the LDS church. An Evangelical friend and myself did this, and we both found it a very interesting and enriching experience - I went to her church one week (lots of handraising and speaking in tongues) and she came to mine the next (lots of reverence and hugging).

Answer 3

Most Mormons who leave their church eventually settle on Atheism. It is the only belief system for which there is solid evidence. Mainstream Christianity has many of the same contradictions and misrepresentations as Mormonism. Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet just as Jesus Christ claimed to be the messiah. The only difference is that we have reliable documentation that Joseph Smith actually existed.

Both Christianity and Mormonism rely on books that are full of fictionalized metaphors that promote religious concepts. And both also have extremely violent and intolerant histories.

The best way to help your Mormon friend is to be a good friend and not worry about religion.

(I am technically an educated Christian so don't ignore my answer)

Answer 4

One good point about mormons is that they believe that the american indians are half jewish and half egyptian. This is the starting point of the book of mormon.

There is sound DNA evidence that this is false and that there is no jewish or egyptian DNA in the indian population.
I brought this up to 2 mormon missionaries and they tried to dismiss it, but I could tell it had an impact as it cut at the very heart of the beliefs of mormonism.

They believe that you can't be saved outside of the mormon church because of this special levitical priesthood that their elders are endowed with.(cultish control teaching)

The NT states that we are all priests and the way has been opened to all by the tearing of the veil in the holy of holies when jesus died on the cross, not just priests.

They believe that the church ceased to exist when the apostles died and was non-existent until joseph smith was given this special priestly power. This is easy to disprove when you read about timothy and other people that the apostles talk about in the NT that also preached the gospel.

There is a lot more on many good websites of former LDS members.

Good luck.

Answer 5

There are materials available to teach the gospel if you want to spend some time and do this in a way that she will best understand it. There are also a number of people who do this on a regular basis and are very good at it. One of them might give you an outline. I know a few of them and would be glad to suggest one of them (possibly near to you) if you want the information, email me. Have a great evening. Thank you for being so interested in assisting her in this. You are doing her a valuable service and fulfilling Matthew 28:18-21 which we are supposed to be doing. Have a great evening.
Eds!

Answer 6

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints believe in Christ, that's true, but their version of Christ is not the Christians' version. LDS believe Jesus was created and there for is not part of the trinity and is not equal with God and has not always existed. This is why they do not get included with the mainline Christian churches who all believe that Jesus was fully God and equal with God the Father and there for having no beginning or ending. This is a major departure from the Bible.

Answer 7

If you REALLY want to help her... then help her to like her church because the "Mormon" church is THE true church.

If you are just trying to convert her to your religion, I can't help you because as a Mormon I know that there is no argument that could be made to get me to leave the Church.

Answer 8

I would take the information that they have available at bcmmin.org and look at it. There is a lot of information there that you can ask questions about. The Priesthood is a good place to start - Jesus is our Melchizedek and Aaronic priest and His term is forever. There ever was only 1 high priest at a time and Jesus is it. The "restoration" of the priesthood in the LDS church shows that it is not a TRUE RESTORATION!!!!!

Answer 9

First off, she has already been introduced to Christ. Mormons are Christians. She probably doesn't like her church because it is typically three hours long (which was enough to keep me from going.) The best thing to do would be invite her to your church. A few friends of mine did that for me when I was attending a Mormon church. After visiting theirs, I realized that all churches were not for me and I decided to quit going.

When she mentions her church in a negative way again, simply say, well, would you like to come to my church one Sunday? From there, she can decide which route she wants to take.

Answer 10

You don't need to convince her that her church isn't true, but that your belief is better. I don't believe it gets anyone anywhere by trying to tear down someone's beliefs, even if they are wavering, but you need to convince her by example and by positive speaking. Invite her to join you in your religious activities, etc. I understand there are many things that are different and hard to accept in the Mormon faith, but that shouldn't be reason to show disrespect to anyone. We should respect all people of all faiths. Good luck.