UNMASKING THE MYTHS OF MORMONISM Ever since the introduction of The God Makers film in January 1983, several first time viewer reactions have become quite common. Most people have been shocked by the hidden Mormon doctrines laid bare by this film. And why not?? After all, it would be more than naive to expect the multi-million dollar public relations mill of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) church to really "tell it like it is." Describing them as the "meat of the gospel, " such teachings as the nature of the Gods, secrets of the temple ceremony, and adding Joseph Smith as an additional mediator are kept hidden from the uninitiated. The primary purpose of this "Data Sheet" is an examination of strange and/or obscured doctrines of Mormonism. Therefore it has been pretty well restricted to the discussion of theological issues. If for no other reason than lack of space, the listing of complicated statistical data concerning the family life practices in the Mormon dominated state of Utah (i.e. divorces, suicides, etc.) and/or "personal" experiences in Mormonism owned or controlled financial empires has long been based upon educated guesses made by non-Mormon financial analysts, and hard for anyone to "prove." Our printed format is quite simple and easy to use. The doctrinal allegations are listed in much the same order as they were made in the film itself. With no further commentary, right underneath each heading is one or more supporting quotations. In most instances, there are many more quotations that could be cited but are not, because of lack of space. Keep in mind that virtually all these listed quotations are from LDS "General Authorities" and/or reliable Mormon books! TEMPLE MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL ---------------------------- Only through Celestial marriage can one find the strait way, the narrow path. Eternal life cannot be had in any other way. (Spencer W. Kimball, Church News, 11/12/1977) Our exaltation depends on marriage...we can be exalted as God is now and receive a fullness of joy...we can at some future time, increase our family by having spirit children...We must be obedient to every covenant that we make in the temple of the Lord. He has said that if we are true and faithful we shall pass by the angels to our exaltation. We will become gods. (Gospel Principals, Page 231, 2344 & 236) GOD THE FATHER WAS ONCE A MAN ----------------------------- God was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man...I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away and do away the veil, so that you may see...It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God...and that he was once a man like us. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, Page 3) THE PLANET KOLOB ---------------- Kolob means "the first creation." It is the name of the planet "nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God." (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 428) MORMON JESUS IS A DIFFERENT JESUS --------------------------------- ...since the Messiah came to earth to work out his own salvation, as well as make salvation available to all men - we are justified in concluding that he himself needed baptism...The Lord Jesus, being a man, required baptism, even as other men. There is no other way. (Bruce McConkie, The Promised Messiah, Pages 482, 485) The sacrament is an ordinance to remind us of Christ. The bread represents the body of Christ that he gave so all men could be resurrected. The water represents the blood Christ shed in Gethsemane where he atoned for the sins of all men. (Discussion "I", The Uniform System for Teaching Families, Page 56) It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus than is worshiped by the Mormons or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Bernard P. Brockbank, The Ensign, May 1977, Page 26) COUNCIL IN HEAVEN ----------------- The contention in heaven was--Jesus said there would be certain souls that would not be saved; and the Devil said he could save them all, and laid his plans before the grand council, who gave their vote in favor of Jesus Christ. So the Devil rose up in rebellion against God, and was cast down, with all who put up their heads for him. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, Page 8) NEGRO CURSED IN PRE-EXISTENCE ----------------------------- Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness, he became the father of an inferior race. A curse was placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures. Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a black skin and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way To Perfection, Page 102) You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, Page 290) Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 10, Page 110) ADAM IS GOD THE FATHER ---------------------- How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which I revealed to them, and which God revealed to me - namely that Adam is our father and God...Then he (Adam) said, "I want my children who are in the spirit world to come and live here. I once dwelt upon an earth something like this, in a mortal state, I was faithful, I received my crown and exaltation. I have the privilege of extending my work, and to its increase there will be no end. I want my children that were born to ME in the spirit world to come here and take tabernacles of flesh." (Brigham Young, Deseret News, 6/16/1873) GOD HAD PHYSICAL RELATIONS WITH MARY ------------------------------------ Even the Father himself honored that law (i.e., "to multiply and replenish the earth") by coming down to Mary, without a natural body, and begetting a son; and if Jesus begat children, he only "did that which he had seen his Father do." (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, Page 210) Only Begotten...Only Begotten Son...the Only Begotten of the Father... These name-titles all signify that our Lord is the only son of the Father in the flesh. Each of these words is to be understood literally. Only means only; Begotten means begotten; and Son means son. Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the SAME way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers. (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 546-547) God the Father is a perfected, glorified holy Man, and immortal Personage. And Christ was born into the world as the literal son of this Holy Being; he was born in the same personal, real and literal sense that any mortal son is born to a mortal father. There is NOTHING figurative about his paternity; he was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events. (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 742) JESUS WAS MARRIED ----------------- Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee...we say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into relation whereby he could see his seed before he was crucified. (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, Page 82) I discover that some of the Eastern papers represent me as a great blasphemer, because I said in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha and others were his wives, and that he begat children. (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, Page 210) JOSEPH SMITH STANDS IN JUDGEMENT -------------------------------- NO SALVATION WITHOUT ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet...then this knowledge is of the most vital importance to the entire world. No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, Page 189-190) No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up scene of all things, every man and woman MUST have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, Page 289) If we ask who will stand at the head of the resurrection in this last dispensation, the answer is -- Joseph Smith, Junior, the Prophet of God. He is the man who will be resurrected and receive the keys of the resurrection, and he will seal this authority upon others, and they will hunt up their friends and resurrect them. (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, Page 116) So hear it all ye ends of the earth; if you ever enter into the kingdom of God, it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond and free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned without Joseph saying so. (Brigham Young, Conference discourse on October 8, 1854) LDS THANK GOD FOR JOSEPH SMITH ------------------------------ The Saints, the Saints, his only pride! For them he lived, for them he died; He lived, for them he died; Their joys were his, their sorrows too. He loved the Saints; he loved Nauvoo. Unchained in death, with a Savior's love, He pleads their cause in the court's above. He pleads their cause in the court's above. The Seer, the Seer! Joseph the Seer! O how I love his memory dear! The just and wise, the pure and free. A father he was and is to me. Let fiends now rage, in their dark hour - No matter, no matter, he is beyond their power. No matter, no matter, he is beyond their power. (John Taylor, LDS Hymn #296, The Seer, Joseph, The Seer, Verse 3) Praise to his memory, he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins. Plead unto heaven while the earth lauds his fame. Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again. (William W. Phelps, LDS Hymn #147, Praise To The Man Who Communed With Jehovah, Verse 2) Our sacred hymns are both prayers and praises to the Lord. Let us ever cherish them as an essential part of our lives. The Lord Himself regards the hymns of the saints as prayers to heaven...As we remember the part the Prophet Joseph Smith took in the work of the Restoration, should we not sing with enthusiasm "Praise to the Man who Communed With Jehovah"...Using these faith-promoting hymns will make better Latter-day Saints of us all...(Editorial, Church News, 8/28/1983) JOSEPH SMITH'S BOASTS --------------------- I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did a work such as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 408-409) God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children of Israel, and he will make me to be GOD to you in his stead, and Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it! (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Page 363) JOSEPH SMITH DESCENDED FROM JESUS CHRIST ---------------------------------------- ...learn that those men who are chosen to direct and counsel you are near KINDRED to God and to Christ, for the keys, power, and authority of the kingdom are of that lineage. (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Volume 4, Page 248) Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life. (Joseph Smith, quoted in Life of Heber C. Kimball, Page 322) MORMONS MUST BE PERFECT ----------------------- The forsaking of sin must be a permanent one. True repentance does NOT permit making the same mistake again. (Spencer W. Kimball, Repentance Brings Forgiveness, Page 7) We also have to forsake the sin and never repeat it, not even in our minds...In order to remain forgiven, we must NEVER commit the sin again. (Mormon Missionary Discussion "F, " Uniform System for Teaching Families, Page 35, 36) In other words, if there is one divine law that he does not keep he is barred from participation in the (Celestial) kingdom, and figuratively guilty of all, since he is denied all. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Volume 3, Page 26) ABSOLUTE TRUST IN ANYTHING "MORMON" ---------------------------------- SAINTS SAFE IN FOLLOWING CHURCH AUTHORITIES. No man ever went astray by following the counsel of the authorities of the Church. No man who ever followed the teachings or took advise or counsel from the one who stands as the representative of the Lord ever went astray. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, Page 243) When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan--it is God's plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. (Ward Teacher's Message, Deseret News, 5/26/1945) TOTAL APOSTASY OF CHRISTIANITY ------------------------------ 19. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were and abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt... (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith--History 1:19, Page 49) The gates of Hell have prevailed and will continue to prevail over the Catholic Mother of Harlots, and over all here Protestant Daughters;...the apostate Catholic church, with all her popes and bishops, together with all her harlot daughters shall be hurled down to Hell... (Orson Pratt, Pamphlets by Orson Pratt, Page 112) This Church is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth...there is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 670) Elder Bruce R. McConkie, and apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called the doctrine of salvation by grace without works, "the second greatest heresy" of Christianity during Brigham Young University's opening devotional Tuesday. The first great heresy, he said, pertains to the nature of God, the doctrine of the Trinity. (The Herald Newspaper, Provo, Utah, 1/12/1984) TEMPLE CEREMONY MOCKS CHRISTIAN PASTORS --------------------------------------- Adam: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth! Lucifer: I hear you. What is it you want? Adam: Who are you? Lucifer: I am the God of this world. Adam: You, the God of this world? Lucifer: Yes! What do you want? Adam: I am looking for messengers. Lucifer: Oh, you want someone to preach to you? You want religion do you? I will have preachers here presently. (A "preacher" dressed in black, now enters the scene) Lucifer: Good Morning Sir. Preacher: Good morning. A fine congregation! Lucifer: Yes, they are very good people. They are concerned about religion. Are you a preacher? Preacher: I am. Lucifer: Have you been to college and received training for the ministry? Preacher: Certainly! A man cannot preach unless he has been trained for the ministry! Lucifer: Do you preach the orthodox religion? Preacher: Yes, that is what I preach. Lucifer: If you will preach your orthodox religion to these people and convert them, I will pay you well! Preacher: I will do my best. Lucifer: Here is a man who desires religion. He is very much exercised, and seems to be sincere. (The action returns to "Adam") Preacher: I understand you are inquiring after religion. Adam: I was calling upon Father. Preacher: I am glad to know that you were calling upon Father. Do you believe in a God who is without body, parts and passions, who sits on the top of topless throne, whose center is everywhere and whose circumference nowhere; who fills the universe, and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart. Who is surrounded by myriads of beings who have been saved by Grace, not for any act of theirs, but by His good pleasure? Do you believe this great Being? Adam: I do not? I cannot comprehend such a Being. Preacher: That is the beauty of it!! (The above account was transcribed from the February, 1984 audio recordings made by a Mormon in the Provo LDS temple which was later published under the title, Unfruitful Works of Darkness, Tape 1) SUN AND MOON INHABITED ---------------------- Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon? ...when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, Page 271) NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE -------------------------- After nearly 150 years since the Nephite record was first published by Joseph Smith, we Mormons have been unable confidently to pin down the location of a single city, identify even one route they traversed, or sketch an accurate picture of any segment of the life they lived in their American promised land. In many respects, the Book of Mormon remains a sealed book to us because we have been incapable of placing it in its specific setting. (Prof. John L. Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, Page 0/3) The bare facts of the matter are that nothing, absolutely nothing has ever shown up in any New World excavation which would suggest to a dispassionate observer that the Book of Mormon, as claimed by Joseph Smith, is a historical document relating to the history of early migrants to our hemisphere. (Michael Coe, Dialogue: A Journal Of Mormon Thought, Summer 1973, Page 46) - Bob Witte EX-MORMONS / CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE P.O. BOX 530 ORANGEVALE, CA 95662 For more information see below: This file has been brought to you by the ministry of the; Southern Maryland Christian Information Service BBS, (SMCIS) (301) 862-3160 HST P.O. Box 463 California, MD 20619 Sysop: Buggs Bugnon