
                 Divine Truths in the Book of Mormon 

    Anyone visited by a Mormon Missionary has heard the Elder's 
testimony concerning the Book of Mormon:  That he knows this book is 
the Word of God and that the founder of the Mormon Church, Joseph 
Smith, Jr., translated it by the gift and power of God.  Further, the 
prospect is encouraged sincerely to study the Book of Mormon and "The 
divine truths it contains." 
    The Book of Mormon indeed does contain a number of "divine truths", 
first set forth in the Bible, the most important of which are: 

1. GOD IS SPIRIT 

    Alma 18:28 (p. 242) - "Believest, thou that this Great Spirit, who 
is God, created all things". 

2. TRINITARIAN VIEW OF GOD 

     3 Nephi 11:27 (p. 422) - "Verily I say unto you, that the Father 
and the Son and the Holy Ghost are one."  In addition, three close 
associates of Joseph Smith who gave testimony of the authenticity of 
the Book of Mormon, close with words: "And the honor be to the Father, 
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, WHICH IS ONE GOD. Amen." 
(emphasis added)  This endorsement is found in the front of every Book 
of Mormon and further documents the Book of Mormon's acknowledgement 
of the triune nature of God. 

3. GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE 

    Moroni 8:18 (p. 517) - "For I know that God is not a partial God, 
neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity 
to all eternity." 

4. NO SALVATION AFTER DEATH 

    Mosiah 3:25 (p. 141) - "And if they be evil they are consigned to 
an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause 
them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery 
and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore 
they have drunk damnation to their own souls." 

5. ONLY TWO DESTINATIONS AFTER DEATH 

    Mosiah 16:11 (p. 166) - "If they be good, to the resurrection of 
endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection 
of endless damnation." 

6. SALVATION BY CHRIST"S WORK - NOT MAN'S 

    Helaman 5:9 (p. 369) - "...remember that there is no other way nor 
means whereby men can be saved, only through the atoning blood of 
Jesus Christ, who shall come, yea, remember that he cometh to redeem 
the world." 


    The Book of Mormon also emphasizes the need for spiritual rebirth.  
For example Alma 5:14 states "And now behold, I ask of you, my 
brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye 
received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this 
mighty change in your hearts?" 
    Much of the major theology set forth in the Book of Mormon is 
indeed in harmony with orthodox Christianity.  However, many who are 
visited by the LDS Missionaries are unaware that the present theology 
of the Mormon Church is very different from their own Book of Mormon. 
Further, not only are today's major doctrines different, they are in 
total opposition with this work of Joseph Smith, Jr., for which he 
claimed divine inspiration. 

    Mormon theology is not contained in, but rather contradicted by 
the Book of Mormon.  The members of the Mormon Church now turn to 
newer publications and revelations for their beliefs.  A brief 
examination of some of these will document the contradictions. 

1. Mormonism today teaches "The Father has a body of flesh and bones 
as tangible as man's" (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22). 

2. Joseph Smith, later in his life, flatly denied the Trinity: "Many 
men say there is one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are 
one God!  I saw that is a strange God anyhow - three in one, and one 
in three!"  He further concludes that the Father, Son and the Holy 
Ghost are not one God, but rather three Gods (History of the Church 
6:474, 476). 

3. The LDS Church no longer adheres to the unchangeable nature of God, 
but rather states:  "God himself was once as we are now and is an 
exalted man... We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all 
eternity.  I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you 
may see".  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). 

4. Bruce R. McConkie announces on page 73 of his work, 'Mormon 
Doctrine':  "The Lord has ordained baptism for the dead as the means 
whereby all his worthy children of all ages can become heirs of 
salvation in his kingdom." 

5. Mormonism today informs its members that all mankind will occupy 
one of three heavenly kingdoms.  The highest is the Celestial Kingdom 
(which itself contains various levels).  This kingdom is reserved for 
all faithful Mormons and could lead to Godhood for the male members 
there.  The middle Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, is for those who 
did not accept the gospel according to Mormonism, but who lived an 
honorable life.  The lowest or Telestial Kingdom still contains 
murderers, adulterers, liars and thieves.  (Doctrine & Covenants 
section 76).  Hell in Mormonism is usually thought to be only a 
temporary state of suffering, which can be terminated through self-
atonement.  In summary, all will be resurrected and receive some 
degree of glory, according to Mormonism. 

6. Mormons believe not in the infinite atonement of Christ, but rather 
that "redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through 
obedience to the requirements of the Gospel, AND A LIFE OF GOOD 
WORKS."  (emphasis added) (Talmage, Articles of Faith pgs. 478-479) 

    These changes and contradictions contained within these easily 
available LDS Scriptures leave no doubt as to the human, man made 
origin of Mormonism. 
    While Mormons regard the Bible as the Word of God, the Bible is 
actually placed lower and superseded by their other Scriptures, which 
in addition to the Book of Mormon include the Doctrine & Covenants and 
the Pearl of Great Price.  This devaluation of the Bible is found 
within the LDS Articles of Faith, in the Pearl of Great Price, where 
it is stated that Mormons "believe the Bible in so far as it is 
correctly translated." 
    God's word, the Bible, has definitely stood the test of time, 
whereas in its short existence the Book of Mormon has not.  The Bible, 
has been used by and confirmed by archeology, - the Book of Mormon has 
not.  The Bible, has through recent ancient manuscript discoveries, 
been demonstrated to have been transmitted and translated accurately, 
where the Book of Mormon contains nearly 4000 textual changes from the 
first edition in 1830 to the present editions used today, and has 
received further changes in the new 1981 "Triple Combination" edition. 
    The presence of "Divine Truths" within the Book of Mormon is 
merely a result of Joseph Smith, Jr. incorporating much of the Bible 
into his work.  (see 'The use of the Bible in the Book of Mormon by H. 
Michael Marquardt).  Thus, the Book of Mormon must be regarded as 
fiction, not as inspired Scripture. 
    Changes within Mormonism and the Book of Mormon make it clear that 
Mormonism is not from God.  God's word does not change.  Jesus Christ 
is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and His Word 
shall never pass away (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35).  The Jesus Christ 
who shed his blood on Calvary's cross to save you is not the Jesus of 
present-day Mormonism.  Jesus invites all people to experience a 
spiritual rebirth and to receive the free gift of eternal life by 
trusting in him alone for salvation. 

    Write to us and let us share with you more information concerning 
our Risen Saviour Jesus Christ and how you can receive Him. 


 PERSONAL FREEDOM OUTREACH 

 Route 3 Weir Lake Rd., Kunkletown, PA. 18058  (215) 381-3661 
 P.O. Box 26062, Saint Louis, MO.  63136  (314) 388-2648 
 P.O. Box 30073, Phoenix, AZ.  85046  (602)867-0538 
 P.O. Box 15081, Santa Ana, CA.  92705  (714) 832-9385 



X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X

 Another file downloaded from:                               NIRVANAnet(tm)

 & the Temple of the Screaming Electron   Jeff Hunter          510-935-5845
 Burn This Flag                           Zardoz               408-363-9766
 realitycheck                             Poindexter Fortran   510-527-1662
 Lies Unlimited                           Mick Freen           415-583-4102
 My Dog Bit Jesus                         Suzanne D'Fault      510-658-8078
 New Dork Sublime                         Demented Pimiento    415-566-0126

   Specializing in conversations, obscure information, high explosives,
        arcane knowledge, political extremism, diverse sexuality,
       insane speculation, and wild rumours. ALL-TEXT BBS SYSTEMS.

  Full access for first-time callers.  We don't want to know who you are,
   where you live, or what your phone number is. We are not Big Brother.

                          "Raw Data for Raw Nerves"

X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X
