Mormonism: The American Gospel The god Makers

Lesson 1 6 May 2012

Introduction to Cults
The Definition of a cult
Technical Definition: worship practices that define the beliefs and taboos of a particular religion Popular Definition: a religious group whose authority, teachings and practices deviate significantly from the Bible and historic Christian faith

Characteristics of a cult
The group is usually organized around a charismatic figure The group has an authority separate from or in addition to the Bible The group claims to be freeing itself from the oppression of the organized and historic Church The group claims either real or imagined persecution, especially by normative Christians The group is characterized by a closed mindedness to facts and rational thought and isolation of its members from dissenting opinions

Types of Cults
Prophetic and Eschatological cults Priestly authority and ritual cults Gnostic Cults

Mormonism
Joseph Smith Jr (1805 1844)
Born Dec. 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont to Joseph and Lucy Smith 4th child 1820 the vision of God and Jesus Christ 1823 the vision of Moroni 1827 finds the golden plates in the hill Cumorah and begins to translate the Book of Mormon May 15, 1829 initiates the Aaronic Priesthood 1830 publishes Book of Mormon
6 April: Establishes the Church of Christ later changed to The Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints September: Becomes The Prophet

1831: Moves to Kirtland, Ohio

In Kirtland: Establishes the secret rituals and polygamy

1836: Buys 63 acres in Missouri and claims territory

1838: Run out of Missouri and moves to Nauvoo, IL

1843: Become the political leader of Nauvoo 1844: Killed while attempting to escape jail along with brother

Mormonism
Brigham Young
Converted to Mormonism in Kirtland, Ohio and became a missionary and one of the Twelve Apostles Assumed the mantle of President and Prophet In 1846 announces the Mormons would abandon Nauvoo
Breaks with Emma Smith and son Joseph III they form the Community of Christ Reorganized Latter Day Saints in Independence, MO. Another group forms the Church of Christ, Temple Lot in Jackson Co., MO.

1848: Moves the Mormons to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah 1857: The Mormon War
The Mountain Meadows Massacre

June 23, 1877: Final settlement of Massacre with death of John D. Lee Settled Utah and assumed control of the territory Before his death, he would marry 57 women, the youngest 13 Died August 29, 1877

Mormonism
Source of Authority
The Four Sources
The KJV (rightly translated and interpreted) The Book of Mormon The Pearl of Great Price Doctrine and Covenant

Other Sources
The Sayings of Joseph Smith and other Prophets The writings of the Elders

The Book of Mormon

The Story of two groups who left the Middle East and came to the Americas
The Jaredites from the Tower of Babel in 2200 BC The Nephites from Jerusalem in 600 BC Concentrates on the war between the Lamanites and the Nephites

Claimed to be the most perfect book undergone extensive correction last update 1981 Reformed Egyptian Hieroglyphics Uses terms of Elizabethan English and Greek Has failed to be validated by geography or archeology

Mormonism
Organization of the Church
Current First President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson Two Counselors deputies to the President The Council of Twelve The First Quorum of the Seventy The Second Quorum of the Seventy with the Presiding Bishop and Patriarch Wards and Stakes
Ward: Run by a Bishop with two counselors Stake: Stake President (or Elder) and two counselors

Aaronic Priesthood: all males at age 12 and up Melchizedek Priesthood: selected at age 18 Emphasis: authority resides in the Priesthood Secret Rites and rituals

Mormonism
Theology
God is as Adam was The god of this planet is an exalted man with a physical body God the Father Elohim: The god of this planet with his wives and spirit children Jesus the Eldest son of Elohim born of a physical union between Elohim and Mary in order to gain his physical body Lucifer the youngest son of Elohim who refused a physical body and was thus cast out The Holy Spirit a personage of spirit much like an angel The Fall and sin: Adam fell that men might be (gods) Race: dark skin is indicative of being a son of Lucifer and Cain Salvation faith, baptism by immersion, obedience to doctrine, good works Atonement: Christ did not atone for sins on the cross, he made the way in the Garden The doctrine of the Blood Atonement Heaven 3 (celestial, terrestrial and telestial); paradise and hell

Mormonism
Practices
Polygamy
Instituted by Joseph Smith (no celestial kingdom without it) 1890: Wilford Woodruff follow the laws of the nation you are in

Mormon Good Works

Tithing: 10% of income due on 31 December of each year Baptism for the dead: Gets people out of a lower kingdom into a higher kingdom Care for the poor and indigent Clean living care of the body, no alcohol, tobacco or caffeine Missions Politics, business and entertainment

Marriage
Temple marriages to gain celestial kingdom Wives accompany their husbands Children: Spirit children into physical bodies

References
Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. ed. Ravi Zacharias, 2003, pp. 193 - 259 McKeever, Bill and Eric Johnson. Mormonism 101. September 2007 Roberts, R. Philip. Mormonism Unmasked. 1998 Scott, LaTayne C. The Mormon Mirage. 3rd Ed. 2009 www.probeministries.org www.cri.org