BY ADAM MILLER

ILLUSTRATION BY MARK HERRON

Its cradle was the imagination of a discontented, New York farm boy tinkering with magic and storytelling. It was founded in 1830 when the farm boya then grown Joseph Smithpublished The Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has grown to deceive five million followers in North America. And, while the LDS church has changed since the days of Smiths claims of prophecy and the alleged discovery of ancient golden plates, the lies of Mormonism continue to blind an increasingly large number of people each year (LDS membership world-wide has increased from seven million in 1990 to more than 11 million in 2000).

Mormons are often heavily involved in their communities, many are successful in business and one of their key appeals is their close-knit family life, says Tal Davis, interfaith evangelism manager, North American Mission Board (NAMB). Outward success may be drawing many into this counterfeit faith.

This is why its more important than ever for Christians to stay on mission in their relationships with members of the LDS church. Though followers of this cult may claim to be Christians, though they claim to follow Jesus Christ, they worship a different god than the One we call Savior.

Man-made deity
The Bible tells us that Jesus atonement has reconciled humankind to God and that through faith and acceptance of this atonement, we may become Gods children. But Mormon teachings insist that Jesus atonement was for the fall of Adam into mortality in the Garden of Eden in order to restore immortality for all humanity. 

According to the LDS manual Gospel Principles, it is up to each of us to do our part and to become worthy of exaltation (attaining godhood). This directly contradicts Christs assurance that it is by grace you have been saved through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

But the Mormon belief in works certainly correlates with their version of the Trinity. According to LDS teachings, God the father is an exalted or deified man who had a human relationship with one of his heavenly wives who gave physical birth to Jesus and, yes, his spirit brother Lucifer. So, from the start, LDS teachings show a false version of the gospel, portray three gods instead of one and propose a useless form of salvation.

And, while scripture confirms that Jesus is God and that there is only one God through Whom all things are made (1Corinthians 8:6), Mormons are taught that they too can become exalted beings, even gods, through following church mandates such as temple marriages, baptisms for the dead and other ceremonial activities. By doing all this, they hope to reach the celestial kingdom, the highest of what they propose as three levels of heaven (telestial, terrestrial, celestial).

New doctrine, new revelation
How can Mormons claim to worship Jesus Christ and be so far from the truth of the gospel? It is because LDS doctrines and teachings change with the whim of church officials and are not bound within the teachings of the Bible.

Trying to define Mormon doctrine is like trying to nail jello to the wall, says Richard Seedorf, a former temple-worthy Mormon, who is now a North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionary to Mormons in Wyoming and other places with heavy concentrations of Mormons such as Nauvoo, Illinois, and Salt Lake City, Utah. They have redefined the nature of God and Jesus Christ. They have created totally new beings and tacked on the same names.

The LDS church refers to four books as official doctrine: the King James Version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants (revelations that Joseph Smith claimed he received from Jesus Christ including obsolete unfulfilled prophecies and doctrines on polygamy and celestial marriage) and the Pearl of Great Price (writings Mormons claim were written by Abraham and Moses but not included in the Bible). And while these books may rest on nearly every Mormons shelf, followers rely heavily on the church doctrine as told to them by whomever is the current LDS president claiming to act as Gods mouthpiece.

The interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it doesnt contain any of the doctrine of the LDS church today, says Richard.

Because Mormons follow the teachings and new revelations from the LDS president, the old texts deemed as official doctrine receive less attention in daily life, making the word official a mere technicality in Mormon practice.

For example, until 1978, African Americans and others of the same descent were not allowed in the LDS priesthood. Because many LDS churches in other countries were filled with people of African descent, the LDS president that year experienced a new revelation that made obsolete the old doctrine banning this ethnicity from the priesthood.

Other teachings such as the sanctity of plural marriages or the blood oaths taken in temple proceedings have been either publicly denied, swept under the rug or changed in practice to sound more acceptable to todays culture. 

When he was a Mormon, Richard Seedorf began discovering errors when he tried to make sense of the more obscure doctrine. For example, the church once taught that Adam is God (a teaching of former LDS president Brigham Young) and that polygamy was mandated by God.

Missionaries go two-by-two
Most people who come in contact with Mormon teachings through their missionariesfew converts adopt the beliefs on their ownare offered the sugar-coated, Christian-sounding version.

Consequently, potential converts are led astray by the idea that they will be joining the true church of Christ, says Tal Davis.

While this doctrine has hooked many in the centers of their pride, the sharp flame of the truth of the New Testament gospel has burned it away.

Tal says many Mormons, including missionaries, lack knowledge about their own doctrine. Traveling in pairs, these neatly groomed missionaries knock on doors, and this could be an opportunity for Christians to share their faith. Richard Seedorf says he was softened to the gospel after someones comments spurred him to research the LDS beliefs, even though he was told that to do so was forbidden.

To share Christ with Mormons is to show them the falsity of their beliefs and the truth of the gospel.  

However, shedding light on the darkness of the LDS church does not mean arguing to prove something. It means sharing the truth in love.

Here are some ways you can prepare and share the gospel so that your Mormon neighbor or friend will understand not only the truth of the gospel, but the love as well.

Learn the basics about Mormonism beliefs and culture
Mormons use a number of sources from which they form their doctrine, but the crucial point to remember when speaking with an LDS member is that they are not Christians because theirs is a works-based religion and Christianity is based upon faith in Jesus Christs redemptive power.

Mormons also believe in three separate gods forming a godhead, whereas scripture shows the supremacy and deity of Christ as one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

While this article is a beginning to understanding the Mormon cult, its a good idea to seek your pastor or mentor at your church for more information on how to equip yourself.

You can also download NAMBs detailed belief bulletins for further study by visiting www.namb.com/ interfaith/beliefbulletins.

Know where you stand as a believer
Though Mormon teachings are shrouded in Christian-sounding vocabulary, their works-based theology is far different from biblical doctrine. If you dont know where you stand with scripture, youre treading on dangerous ground when sharing with missionaries and other Mormons well entrenched in the LDS church. 

Get to know them
Whether youre sharing with your next door neighbor or a stranger in Salt Lake City, its important to get to know the person youre trying to reach. Reactions vary by degree according to church involvment. Get to know their background and their involvement in the church.

Ask: Did you grow up in the church?

If not, ask: How did you become part of the LDS church?

Also ask: Have you been through the temple? Only the most faithful Mormons may enter any of the churchs 113 imposing edifices worldwide, so, if the answer is yes, I have been through the temple, you know you are speaking to someone who is deeply entrenched in the religion.

Give them something to chew on
Mormons must know you respect them and their conviction in what they believe. Instead of beating them over the head with how wrong they are, you might comment on the business success and strong families of many Mormons.

This could lead to a discussion in which you could uphold the importance of diligence in serving God while explaining that faith, not works, is the only means of reconciling to God.

Be creative with what you learn about Mormonism, and always commit your conversation to God so that your motives and your speech may glorify Him and attract the person youre trying to reach. 

Pray for Mormons to know Christ

Perhaps the most important consideration in sharing the gospel with anyone is approaching with a prayerful heart. Prayer prepares the listeners heart for the gospel, and prepares your heart for sharing the love, truth and hope found in Jesus Christ.

Adam Miller is associate editor of On Mission.