The founder of Mormonsim, Joseph Smith, claimed he saw a vision at the age of 14 years old. The official version of that vision says that he saw both God the Father and Jesus Christ.
I say "official version" because his story regarding this event has changed more than just a few times. That, however, is a topic of discussion for another time.
But this vision is the foundation of the LDS religion, or Mormonism, and the specifics of it form the core of their beliefs which all members adhere to.
As noted on the Christianity 101 page, if any belief violates one of the 5 fundamental tenets of Christianity it cannot be called "Christian". I would also add the obvious statement that if a belief is in contradiction to The Bible, it cannot be called Biblical.
This vision contradicts several Bible verses and it is the foundation of a major Mormon doctrine that violates one of the tenets of Christianity.
I say "official version" because his story regarding this event has changed more than just a few times. That, however, is a topic of discussion for another time.
But this vision is the foundation of the LDS religion, or Mormonism, and the specifics of it form the core of their beliefs which all members adhere to.
When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! - Joseph SmithIn this vision Joseph claims to have seen "two personages", which implies both were in human-ish form, and Mormons believe that's the correct interpretation. However there are a couple problems with this vision when compared with The Bible.
As noted on the Christianity 101 page, if any belief violates one of the 5 fundamental tenets of Christianity it cannot be called "Christian". I would also add the obvious statement that if a belief is in contradiction to The Bible, it cannot be called Biblical.
This vision contradicts several Bible verses and it is the foundation of a major Mormon doctrine that violates one of the tenets of Christianity.
The first point of contradiction between this vision and The Bible is that of seeing God the Father.
However, it is important to never contradict one verse when interpreting another verse. And that interpretation would contradict what God said to Moses before he passed by him on the mountain:
(John 1:18)The Apostle John penned that verse after he had been released from the prison island of Patmos. When he was still a prisoner on Patmos he penned the book of Revelation and recounted actually being in the throne room of God the Father, and looked upon him who "sat on the throne".
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
(Revelation 4:2-3)If the man who was there and had actually looked upon God and said "no man hath seen God at any time", then the truth is that there is no human shape to God that one could recognize. Jesus said as much also and stated nobody has seen his "shape".
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
(John 5:37)John explains why you cannot see his shape:
And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
(John 4:24)The official web site of the LDS church explains away that verse by saying the word "a" does not appear before the word "spirit" in the original language, which is Greek. They say it could be interpreted as simply describing one of his many attributes similar to other verses when he is called "love" and "light".
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
However, it is important to never contradict one verse when interpreting another verse. And that interpretation would contradict what God said to Moses before he passed by him on the mountain:
(Exodus 33:20)
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
The second point of contradiction is that of the "two personages". The only time God has taken on a human form is when "The Angel of The Lord" is mentioned in the Old Testament, and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
There is no mention in The Bible of him being two different human forms at the same time. The "two personages" implies, and Mormons truly believe, that God the father is a complete and separate entity from The Son, Jesus Christ.
But The Bible says that The Son is God, which is key to the doctrine of The Trinity - a major tenet of Christianity.
There may be Christians who are members of the Mormon church, but the LDS doctrine is clearly un-Christian.
There is more to this vision that will be covered in Pt 2 which will be posted next week. Please pray for, and reach out to your Mormon friends and start a friendly dialogue with them about this subject and show them the truth from The Bible.
There is no mention in The Bible of him being two different human forms at the same time. The "two personages" implies, and Mormons truly believe, that God the father is a complete and separate entity from The Son, Jesus Christ.
But The Bible says that The Son is God, which is key to the doctrine of The Trinity - a major tenet of Christianity.
(John 1:1)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(1 John 5:7)From the very beginning, in the first "revelation" given to Joseph Smith, we see profound and stark contradictions with The Bible. If this is the foundation that Mormonism is built on, then the rest of Mormon doctrine is un-Biblical and the Mormon faith can't be called Christian.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
There may be Christians who are members of the Mormon church, but the LDS doctrine is clearly un-Christian.
There is more to this vision that will be covered in Pt 2 which will be posted next week. Please pray for, and reach out to your Mormon friends and start a friendly dialogue with them about this subject and show them the truth from The Bible.
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