Mormonism

Does It Pass God's 3-Question Test for Truth?

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God's Method For Determining Truth

The Bible includes three major ways to determine if a person or religion speaks for God. If the person or religion fails any one of God's three questions, he and his message are disqualified. However, is it valid to test Mormonism against the standards God gave us in the Bible?

The Bible is one of Mormonism's Standard Works (authoritative writings). (Some Mormons have reservations about the quality of the Bible's translation.) Additionally, Mormon leaders have claimed that the teachings of Mormonism agree with the Bible. Therefore, it is correct to apply biblical tests to Mormonism. Brigham Young, the second Mormon Prophet, confirmed this in the following quote.

Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test…. With us the Bible is the first book, the Book of Mormon comes next…. There is no clash in the principles revealed in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants…. (Discourses of Brigham Young, selected and arranged by John A. Widtsoe, 1978, page 126)

Mormon Apostle LeGrand Richards stated, "We appeal to the Bible to prove that the truths received through the restoration of the gospel are in accord with its teachings." (A Marvelous Work And A Wonder, 1976, page 1) Apostle Bruce R. McConkie said the following.

… the Book of Mormon - a volume which contains the fulness of the gospel, the same gospel which is in the Bible…. Mormonism is Christianity; Christianity is Mormonism; they are one and the same, and they are not to be distinguished from each other in the minutest detail. (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd edition, Bruce R. McConkie, 1966, pages 512-513, emphasis in original)

Mormonism claims to be a later revelation of truth from the same God who inspired the Bible. Since God and truth do not change, all revelation of truth must be evaluated by established prior revelation of truth. Mormonism must be evaluated by the prior revelations contained in the Bible. Based on the preceding quotes, Mormon leaders knew and accepted this rule. Let us take their advice and see how the teachings of Mormonism compare with those of the Bible.

The Bible test

God provided a three-part test to use for determining if a person or revelation is truly from Him. When attempting to determine if a person or religion truly speaks for God, the first question we must ask is, "Does the person or religion teach a different God than the God of the Bible?" (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Second, we must ask, "Has the person or religion given any revelations which failed?" (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Finally, we must ask, "Does the person or religion teach a different method of salvation than taught in the Bible?" (Galatians 1:6-9).

If the person or religion that claims to speak for God fails any one of these three questions, he is not from God. We must reject his teachings. In the next chapters, we will evaluate official Mormon doctrines using God's three-part test.

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Mormonism, Does It Pass God's 3-Question Test for Truth?

Attention: The material in this book attempts to accurately describe official Mormon doctrine in certain important areas. Therefore, quotes are included from several authorized sources of Mormon doctrine. However, this book does not claim to be authorized by or endorsed by the Mormon Church.

Copyrights of quoted Mormon materials belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) or the copyrights are under their control.

Quotations from the Bible are from the King James Version.

If you have questions or comments, please check the Frequently Asked Questions page or check the links to Related Sites.