Glenn Beck's Faith

This blog will be about Glenn Beck’s Faith. It will show a comparison of the faith that Glenn Beck claims with that of the Christian Faith. In this blog I challenge Glenn Beck’s teaching that we all need to focus on faith. As a Christian I believe that our faith is only as good as the object upon which it is placed. Glenn Beck seems to think that the god of his faith is the same God of the Christian faith. I strongly disagree with this ideology and it is my intent to examine the two faiths side by side.

I would like to state very clearly that it is not my intent to be disrespectful to Glenn Beck in any way. I do admire him for his work on both the radio and television. I think he has very good insight when it comes to the research he does. The only exception is when he tries to make Christian faith and Mormon faith to look the same. It is because of this that I will be creating this blog.

Feel free to check back on this site as often as you like. I will be getting it updated and started within the next few days.

On August 25, 2011 Glenn Beck made the following statement after playing some audio of a liberal media person stating that Glenn is Christian: “A person on the left admits I am a Christian. A lot of Christians wont even admit that.” So the question we need to ask ourselves is, “Is the liberal leftist right?” Seems funny that they seem to be wrong on so many things, but on this Glenn thinks they are right. Another question to ask ourselves is, “If the leftist media person is correct then why do so many Christians not agree?”

Many people think that Mormonism is just a type of denomination much like Baptist, Methodist, or Pentecostal. Denominations are Christian groups that are united in the essential doctrines of faith but separated on the non essential doctrines. An example of essential doctrine is the statement that Jesus saves us 100% by the price paid on the cross. A non essential doctrine example would be on how a person is baptized. Emerson or sprinkling. We could debate the importance of how a person is to be baptized, but ultimately baptism does not save you so it is considered an important but not essential doctrine. Any church that claims to be Christian but does not hold to essential doctrines of the bible is not Christian.

I won’t say if Glenn Beck is Christian or not. Sometimes he makes statements that makes me wonder. Other times he makes statements that take away the doubt. My opinion is that he is just another moral relativist who just thinks we all need to get along. Theology seems not to matter to him and he seems to not understand the importance of theology. Theology defines who God is. Without it we have no understanding of true faith. Theology is the basis for doctrine. Doctrine defines the truth of God. Truth cannot contradict truth. So through a look at Christian doctrine and Mormon doctrine we can see if the two faiths equate to being the same. If Glenn Beck holds to true Mormon doctrine, then by that I would join those who say that he is not a Christian.

I have written a lot on this blog on the differences between the two faiths. I encourage you to read through the archives if you want a more detailed understanding as to how Mormonism is different from Christianity. I will make a few statements from the Mormon church showing where they say they are not Christians. Then I will show the differences in the way they define who Jesus the Christ is compared to what true Christianity claims Jesus the Christ it.

First of all according to Mormon doctrine they are the “true faith” and all other Christians are apostate.

Joseph Smith stated that God told him: “they [other churches] were all wrong ; and the Personage who addressed me said that their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt ” (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:19).

Joseph Smith continues: “for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible ” (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:12). “What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world” ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith , p.270).

Questions put to Joseph Smith: “‘Do you believe the Bible?’ [Smith:]‘If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does , for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do ‘. When asked ‘Will everybody be damned, but Mormons’? [Smith replied] ‘Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.” ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith , p. 119).

Brigham Young stated this repeatedly: “When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness ” ( Journal of Discourses 5:73); “The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God” ( Journal of Discourses 8:171); “With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world” ( Journal of Discourses 8:199); “And who is there that acknowledges [God's] hand? …You may wander east, west, north, and south, and you cannot find it in any church or government on the earth, except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” ( Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.24); “Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity” ( Journal of Discourses 10:230).

Orson Pratt proclaimed: “Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the ‘whore of Babylon ‘ whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them , unless they repent” ( The Seer , p. 255).

Pratt also said: “This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now” ( Journal of Discourses , vol.18, p.44) and: “But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be …But there has been a long apostasy , during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance” ( Journal of Discourses , 18:172).

President John Taylor stated: “Christianity…is a perfect pack of nonsense…the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century.” ( Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.167); “Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom .” ( Journal of Discourses , 10:127).

President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ , just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness.” ( Doctrines of Salvation , p.266). “For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness , until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation …Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the ‘Christian’ churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men” ( Doctrines of Salvation , vol. 3, p.282).

More recent statements by apostle Bruce McConkie are also very clear: “Apostasy was universal…And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel” ( Doctrines of Salvation , vol 3, p.265); “Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general” (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); “a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom” ( Mormon Doctrine , p.132); “virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit” ( Mormon Doctrine , p.269); “Gnosticism is one of the great pagan philosophies which antedated Christ and the Christian Era and which was later commingled with pure Christianity to form the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the early days of that era.” ( Mormon Doctrine , p.316).

President George Q. Cannon said: “After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon . The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom , though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon ” (Gospel Truth, p.324).

President Wilford Woodruff stated: “the Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord , and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called” ( Journal of Discourses , vol. 2, p.196).

According to Mormon teaching the Christian church is not of God but rather of the Devil. Is Glenn Beck a Christian? If he is, then according the his faith he is an apostate. The differences of Mormonism and Christianity is seen by their doctrinal views on who Jesus is. Below I list out both views with supporting verses.

Mormon Doctrine:

Writing for the Mormon magazine Ensign, BYU professor Clyde J. Williams said,

“The perfect relationship between the atoning grace of Christ and the obedient efforts of mankind is powerfully stated by Nephi: ‘We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do’ (2 Nephi 25:23). Furthermore, we are invited to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.’ When we deny ourselves ‘of all ungodliness,’ then and only ‘then is his grace sufficient’ for us (Moroni 10:32)” (“Plain and Precious Truths Restored,” Ensign, October 2006, p.53).
Apostle Bruce McConkie wrote, “And unless men have the agency to choose to do good and work righteousness—and, in fact, do so—they cannot be saved. There is no other way” (The Mortal Messiah 1:406).

The Christ of the Mormon faith is just one of God the Fathers many sons. He is the spirit brother of Lucifer and one of our many brothers. They believe that what makes Jesus more special than any other son of God is that he achieved his position as God before coming to this world. Jesus of Mormonism only partially saves us. We must do good works to finish the deal.

12th Mormon President Spencer W. Kimball wrote,

“Long before you were born a program was developed by your creators … The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim, perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah.” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 32-33).

In a pamphlet published by the LDS Church First Presidency, it says:

“Jesus Christ is the Son of Elohim both as spiritual and bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh, and which body died on the cross and was afterward taken up by the process of resurrection, and is now the immortalized tabernacle of the eternal spirit of our Lord and Savior” (“The Father and The Son; A Doctrinal Exposition by The First Presidency and The Twelve,” June 30, 1916. Reprinted in Articles of Faith, p. 421).

President Spencer W. Kimball said,

“One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation” (12th Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.206; also cited in The Book of Mormon Student Manual, religion 121 and 122, 1996, p.36).

Christian Doctrine:

Christian doctrine is opposite of Mormon doctrine on who Christ is. According to the bible Jesus is God in flesh. He was 100% God and 100% man. He humbly came to earth to live the perfect life and to die on the cross for our sins. His death, burial and resurrection pay the complete price for all our sin. We are saved 100% by grace and grace alone. Salvation comes from professing Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is the creator of all things. He is not your spirit brother nor is he mine.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3)

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, (Colossians 2:9)

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In conclusion I will let the word of God speak for itself as to who Christ is”

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)

Glenn Beck is in Israel working on a world wide plan to have people support Israel. I do believe we need to be on the side of Israel and not against them. The problem is that Glenn Beck seems to miss the point when it comes to a complete understanding of Christian faith and how that works in relation to Judaism and the Muslim faith. Glenn likes to try and make them all work out as faiths with a common God and small differences on how to get to that God. Today Glenn made this apparent when he made the statement, “Three religions, three paths to God, all three founded in the same place on earth, Jerusalem.”

So we need to ask ourselves, “Do these three religions all worship the same God? And if so are they all on a path to get to that God?” The answer is very clearly, “No!” There is a philosophy in the world that just as all roads lead to Rome all paths lead to heaven. The problem with this philosophy is that truth cannot contradict truth. These three religions do have one thing in common and that one thing is Abraham. But, once you leave Abraham they take two different paths. Islam takes a path from the seed of Esau and Judaism takes seed from Jacob. Just as Esau and Jacob fought these two religions have fought from the beginning. The path of Islam denies the deity of Christ and therefore denies who God is. The path of Islam is not a path to God but rather a path away from God.

Judaism is the religion of God’s chosen people. It is a path to God. It is also a religion that is made complete with the coming of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled many prophecies when he became incarnate. His life ministry was to fulfill the promises of God’s word. Jesus makes it clear that not all roads or paths lead to heaven when he said, “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Take note, He did not say, “I am a way, a life, a truth…” He clearly use the word “the” to describe who he is. There is no other way to heaven but through the Father.

Jesus makes Judaism complete. He came first for the Jew then for the Gentile. His coming was to fulfill the promise of God to Abraham that he would be the father of all nations. Genesis 17:5 Paul restates this in Romans 4:9-12 that Abraham is the father of all who believe. Believe in whom? In Jesus. All people are saved from sin when they have faith in Jesus as the sacrificial lamb, only through him do they get atonement with God. Christianity is not a separate path from Judaism, but rather it is the continuing path. Jewish people who worship God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit worship him in truth. These Jewish people are called Messianic Jews or Completed Jews.

Christianity does not end with the Jewish people. Jesus said in John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Who are these sheep? Well if you are the good Mormon you believe they are the people living in the Americas during the time of Christ. But if you are a good biblical scholar and a Christian you know to read in context. In context Jesus answers as to whom these people are. He tells us that he came for the Jew and then for the gentile. The non Jewish people are the sheep of whom he spoke.

The reason I feel that Glenn Beck does not seem to understand this is because as much as he might love truth he is blind when it comes to religious truth as taught by the bible. Glenn often times tries to tie the Mormon faith with that of the Christian faith. He would love to have us believe that Mormon is just a type of Christian. The problem is Glenn is ignorant to what Mormonism teaches on this very topic. According to the Mormon faith, only Mormonism is the true faith and Christianity is an apostate faith. Below is a statement from the Mormon church concerning their view on Christianity:

According to the LDS Church manual Gospel Principles,

“One by one, the Apostles were killed. Because of the persecution, surviving Apostles could not meet to choose and ordain men to replace those who were dead. Eventually, local priesthood leaders were the only ones who had authority to direct the scattered branches of the Church. The perfect organization of the Church no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the destruction was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy” (Gospel Principles, p.105).

So what then is the truth concerning Islam, Judaism, and Christianity? Considering that truth cannot contradict truth we would have to say they are not worshiping the same God and they are not all three on a path to that God. There is only one way to heaven and eternal life and that is through the Son. Contrary to Mormon belief, Christianity is the path to knowing God. Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty. These words show the holiness of the trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. True worship of God must be done with this understanding.

Recently Glenn Beck did an interview with a man he refers to as, Pastor Hagee. This was an interesting interview and makes me wonder if Glenn is moving in a right direction. Ok, that last comment was sarcasm. Where many people might consider John Hagee a good man of God and a better direction for a Mormon to go, I do not. John Hagee has faith in as much of a false gospel as the faith of Mormonism. So, how can I say that? I can hear many now who are getting upset with what I just wrote. I know many of my Christian friends think John Hagee is a good bible believing man. So, in defense of my opening comments let us take a look at the ministry of John Hagee.

First let us examine John Hagee for his teachings on prosperity gospel. John teaches that poverty is a curse and that we overcome this curse by having faith. He believes that we gain wealth by giving and only through giving. So does the bible agree with such teaching? Luke 6:20 teaches that blessed are the poor… James 2:5 tells us that God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom… Mark 10:25 tells us it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into heaven. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Paul instructs those who are rich not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches but rather on God. He tells them to be rich in good works…

These verses are not saying that having wealth is bad, but they show that being poor is not a curse and that God does not promise wealth to all who have faith. The Bible teaches that material wealth is not the way we measure how righteous someone is or isn’t.

Next John Hagee teaches what is called the doctrine of positive confession. This is a foundational teaching of the faith movement. It is the concept that Christians an speak (positively confess) physical realities. This only happens when a person has enough faith. Hagee teaches, “There is a relationship between your soul and physical and financial prosperity.” He quotes Josh. 1:8 by saying, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth.” He continues to say, “That is the spoken Word of God. And then thou shalt prosper and have good success.”

So is this a biblical teaching? Does a believer have the power and ability to make things happen by speaking words of faith? The bible teaches not that we create through positive confession, but rather we pray and God does what God wills. Matthew 6:8-13 and 21:22 teaches us that God knows what we need before we ask, so therefore we ask for His will to be done. Whatever we ask in prayer, believing will be received. But keep in mind what we ask for is still done only through God’s will. 1John 5:14 tells us our confidence we have in God is that if we ask according to His will he hears us.

The area of concern that ties all this in with Glenn Beck is John Hagee’s view on the Jews. He teaches that they are saved without faith in Jesus. Hagee is a strong opponent of those who are anti-Semitic. The problem is his view of Antisemitism has led him to make a serious error in doctrine concerning salvation. He teaches that Jews are saved without conversion to Christianity. John Hagee believes that, “Trying to convert Jews is a waste of time.” He then goes on to state, “Everyone else, whether Buddhist or Baha’i, needs to beleive in Jesus but not Jews.” Hagee believes that, “Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced with Christianity.” He continues to teach this by saying, “The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses,” Hagee said. “I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption.“The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not,”

Is this what the bible teaches about salvation? I think not. Romans 10:19-21 shows Paul teaching that Israel had the responsibility to respond to the Gospel, but instead they rejected it. Romans 9:6 tells us that not all who are of Israel are of Israel. Romans 9:27 says that the remnant will be saved. Romans 10:9-15 tells that we are saved when we confess Christ and that faith is only through Christ…there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord saves them all.

I don’t want anyone to think I am anti-Semitic in my views. I have many good friends who are Jewish. What I am opposed to is anyone who would teach false doctrine stating that the Jews are not saved through faith in Christ. I have Jewish friends who are believers in the Messiah, Jesus who is the Christ. Their salvation is no different than mine. They are saved through faith in Christ.

I will not say that everything John Hagee teaches is false. His gospel teachings concerning non Jews may be right on…salvation only through faith in Christ. The problem comes from his false teachings. I would rather not spend my time listening to a man who is false in any doctrine essential to salvation. I would hope Glenn Beck would put more effort into studying the faith of the Bible and knowing the truth so when he encounters error like Mormonism or the false teaching of John Hagee he would run rather than embrace.

For those interested in reading a more in-depth article on John Hagee, the Christian Research Institute has a good article: http://www.equip.org/articles/pastor-john-hagee

It has been some time since I have posted concerning the Faith of Glenn Beck. It is not because I have run out of things to report on, but rather due to things in life keeping me busy. Since my last post I have received some criticism from a few people. They fear that I might be too harsh on Glenn. One friend has even suggested that I need to be careful that Glenn Beck doesn’t sue me for my comments. I seriously doubt that I have that to worry about. First of all, my comments are not false in any way. I would love to challenge Glenn to check my work and if he finds fault to send me a comment showing me where I am in error. If he does that I would gladly check my work and if I am in error I will post an apology and correction on here.

For those who think I am just being tough on Glenn in what I post about his Mormon faith, I ask that you read what I write and consider it for truth. I am open to any challenge to what I write on here. Truthfully I enjoy hearing Glenn Beck’s program on the radio. Most of what he has to say I think is worth hearing. My criticism comes from his lack of understanding of what Mormonism really teaches. He puts his faith in the Mormon church. Does he really know the truth of Mormonism? From what I hear on his program I seriously doubt he does.

Just a reminder, the purpose of this site is not to put down Glenn Beck, but it is a three fold purpose. First I post this for my Christian brothers and sisters who are unaware of where the Mormon Faith is in error and how it cannot be considered Christian. Second it is to help Mormons who really want to know truth find truth. Third, if ever Glenn should read my page, it is to give him something to think about. Consider it a challenge to his wanting to know truth.

Those who have criticized my blog often tell me that Glenn does not really have the faith of Mormonism. They tell me that when Glenn speaks of the gospel it sounds as good as what any Christian pastor would speak. At times I can almost agree with this, that is what bothers me most about the Mormon faith. They use a lot of terminology that we use. If you don’t break it down then you can be fooled with a false gospel. I have posted a few posts that show how the LDS church defines many of the terms that are common between both groups. If Glenn does not define these terms the same way they do, then good. But all the same he claims to have the faith of Mormonism.

Glenn Beck speaks of faith not just in Mormonism. He often times tries to make it seem that any faith in God is good and that all who believe in God are pretty much equal. This view is called Moral Relativism. The problem is truth cannot contradict truth. If one view claims to have truth is contradictory to another view: IE Mormonism v Christianity or Islam v Christianity, then both cannot be true. Either one is true and the other false or both are false. Just because someone says they believe in God does not mean they have faith in the one true God. Glenn seems not to understand this. He seems happy to say to have faith and how you define God does not matter, just as long as you have faith. Well, faith is only as good as the object on which it is placed.

I will be working on posting more often. I appreciate any comments people have to make concerning this topic. All I ask is that you please show respect if you comment back. Also consider what I write for truth. If you find error in what I say, please kindly show me where I am wrong. I use the Holy Bible as the source for determining truth.

January 20th

Is Glenn Beck my brother?

Glenn Beck made a day today of criticizing Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley for a statement he made while visiting a church. The governor made a comment to the congregation stating a Christian belief that only those who are Christians are brothers and sisters. Glenn shared his belief that all people are brothers and sisters no matter what their religious belief. So, are we all brothers and sisters spiritually or is Glenn Beck wrong.

At one point in his radio program Glenn debated this with a man who claimed to be Christian. The man was correct in his view that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Glenn however confused the issue with statements that are of the Mormon faith. It would have helped if the man who called in knew Mormon doctrine a bit better. If he had he might not have fallen to the wrong doctrine of Mormonism.

Who is right? Glenn Beck with his Mormon faith or the Christian perspective found in the bible?

Mormon Teaching

Glenn’s Mormon faith teaches that all people are spiritually pre-created in heaven by God through a sexual union with one of his many wives. In this sense God is our spiritual father and we are all his spiritual children. In this belief we are all spiritual brothers and sisters. Glenn argued that we are all of the same spiritual parents.

Each god, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and daughters. (Pratt the Seer, 1, no 3, pg 37)

Abraham 3:22–26

Seer Pg 159 “in order to become…’The Everlasting Father,’ it is necessary that He should have one or more wives by whom He could multiply His seed, not for any limited period of time, but forever and ever…”

“We were first begotten as spirit babies in heaven and then born naturally on earth” (Journal of Discourse, Vol. 4, p. 218).

The plan of the parent gods in Mormonism goes like this: “Life for you did not begin here on earth. You lived before you were born you will live on in the spirit world after your mortal life is ended.” “We all once lived in the presence of God the eternal father. In the world before your were a spirit child of his. With this divine parentage, your destiny, through righteous living, is to become like your Father in Heaven and return to his presence” (The Purpose of Life Pamphlet handed out at the Temple on BYU campus).

“In your life before birth, before the earth was created God presented a plan to his children for their advancement. You were free to accept or reject this plan of salvation. Those spirit children who accepted his plan were given the opportunity to live on earth; those who rejected his plan were not privileged to enter mortality” (The Purpose of Life Pamphlet handed out at the Temple on BYU campus).

Greek Philosophy

Where does this teaching of preexistence come from? “Before time began the soul was without a body, an archetype, the heavenly man pure in spirit in paradise, yet longing after the archetype, God. Some of the pure spirits descended into bodies and lost their purity” (Plato and the Stoics philosophy).

Christian Biblical View

A verse that is commonly used is Jer.1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” This verse is not talking about pre-existence. It is talking about God’s ordination and appointment of Jeremiah to be a prophet to his nation. Let’s look at the whole verse: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” This was God’s plan for Jeremiah, in the same way Eph. 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

The bible teaches us that we are not created until we are formed in our mother’s womb. We do not preexist as spirit beings. We become children of God when we have faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Until this happens we are children of the devil.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

1 Corinthians 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.

Galatians 3:26-27 (KJV) says, “For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children
of God—

1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

John 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Conclusion:

We do not pre-exist as spirits prior to our being born physically. God does not live in heaven where he is engaged in sexual relations creating spirit children. God is not married. We become God’s children through faith in Jesus. If Glenn Beck is truly of the Mormon faith then his faith is in a false god and he is a child of the devil. As a non Christian he is not my brother. It is my hope and prayer that someday he will be.

One of the most amazing things that makes the Bible different than any other religious book is its record of prophecy. The Bible has 100% prophecy fulfillment excluding the end time prophecies. Jesus on the cross fulfilled 107 prophecies. Many other prophecies about his life were fulfilled. Because of the Biblical record on prophecy we know we can trust the end time prophecies as well.

The Bible tells us a lot about prophecies and prophets. First it tells us that if a person claims to be a prophet he must be 100% accurate. Deuteronomy 18:22 – “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

A prophet of God is also faithful to God and his word. He will not lead you astray seeking other gods. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 – “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.”

Prophecy is to be tested according to truth. There is no private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:19 – “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

So what about the Mormon faith? Does it have prophecy? If so how accurate are the prophecies of the Mormon faith?

To answer this we need to understand that the Mormon Church considers Joseph Smith one of their many prophets. As a prophet everything he says is considered by them the word of God. So what prophecies did he make and did they all come to pass?

Here are just a few prophecies made by Joseph Smith:

1. President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. He then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending while journeying to Zion—our trials, sufferings; and said God had not designed all this for nothing, but He had it in remembrance yet; and it was the will of God that those who went Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene (History of the Church 2:182).

This prophecy has not been fulfilled and now cannot be fulfilled. This clearly is a false prophecy. It should have been fulfilled by 1891. So what is the church’s view on this. Other than ignoring it and hoping no one brings it up they tend to pass it off not as a prophecy but just Joseph speaking as a regular man. The church states that it is up to the listener to listen carefully and then discern with the spirit if the prophet is acting as a prophet or expressing his own views. Well…lets see… Here Joseph said that God commanded the meeting. It was made known in a vision and by the Holy Spirit. Sounds very much like he was speaking for God as a prophet. According to scripture such a prophecy makes him a false prophet.

2. Joseph Smith prophesied that the Civil War would start in South Carolina. It would involve nations world wide.

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;

2 And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place. 3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then a war shall be poured out upon all nations. December 25, 1832 Doctine and Covenants 87:1-3

Funny how many Mormons will try and defend this. They tend to completely skip over where the war would start. They also tend to skip over that the war would be shortly. I have heard many try defending this prophecy by saying that it would be wars not just the Civil War.

So where did the prophet come up with this prophecy? July 14, 1832, congress passed a tariff act which South Carolina refused to participate in. President Jackson alerted the troops and America expected war. But the war was not shortly to come to pass. The Civil War didn’t come until 1861, nor was the war poured out on all nations.

Joseph Smith spoke as a prophet…and once again we see failure in prophecy. According to God’s word, he is a false prophet.

3. To understand this next prophecy you must understand the Mormon use of the word, “Zion”. To them Zion is Far West Missouri. They left Zion on July 20, 1833. Now let us examine yet another prophecy made.

“And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;” Doctrine and Covenant 97:19

When Joseph Smith made this prophecy he was in Ohio. Unknown to him at that same time the Mormons were chased out of Zion. The Mormon Money became worthless and the Mormon bank fell. The nations of the earth never honored Zion. Also the New Jerusalem was never made.

Many Mormons try to explain that this prophecy was not about Missouri. They claim that Joseph Smith referred to Zion as a place to yet be built. The problem with such a claim is that Joseph Smith made it clear that West Missouri was Zion.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:2-5 “Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be created in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

Here we see the grave error of his prophecy. First of all the city was never built. Second it wasn’t dedicated by Joseph Smith. Third the time of a generation has passed so there is no hope that it will come to pass.

Conclusion:

The above are just three prophecies that make the Mormon Church based on the teachings of a false prophet. I could list out 10 more failed prophecies. In short I will list some of them:

1. An everlasting United Order (ceased to exist) D&C 104:1; 53 Failed
2. Salem, Mass would be given to the church D&C 111:4 Failed
3. The U.S. Government would be overthrown if they did not repent of the wrongs done to the Saints in Missouri. Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg 302. Failed
4. Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo House would always be a house for Mormons. D&C 124:59-60 Failed
5. A Mormon city in Iowa would be built and named, Zarahemla. Failed
6. Another Zion prophecy. This one has the Temple being built in Missouri. Failed
7. The thousand year reign of Christ would soon start. D&C 29:1-11 (180 years passed since) Failed
8. Here is a “Revelation” type prophecy…in a few days hence… D&C 88:87;93 Failed
9. Ask any Mormon friend about Oliver Granger. Chances are they never heard of him. So why does Smith say in Prophecy that his name would be held in sacred remembrance forever and ever? D&C 117:12
10. The prophecies and promises in Doctrines and Covenants would be fulfilled. D&C 1:37 Failed

A lot of excuses are made about these and other failed prophecies of the Mormon church. The book of Mormon is void of prophecies. The Bible stands alone as a book of God with 100% fulfilled prophecies. Next post I will show some of the prophecies in the Bible.

The next test of scripture is the area of congruency. The Bible is a collection of 66 Books. This collection is written over a 1500 year period by about 20 different authors. Each book is on the same topic: Who is God and how does man relate to God. The amazing thing is these books all agree 100% on this topic. No other collection of books compares to this.

The Book of Mormon when compared to the Bible has lots of areas of in-congruency. The Book of Mormon also when compared to the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price has many areas of in-congruency.

First to show an example in the Book of Mormon where there is inconsistency. 2 Nephi 5 tells of when Nephi landed in the New World and there were gems, gold and silver in abundance. Then they built a temple much like that of King Solomon, except no gold, silver or precious gems were used. Why didn’t they use them? The Book of Mormon tells us, “because they were not to be found upon the land.”

There are a lot of areas of inconsistency where the Mormon faith is in congruent. I was going to list out many of them on this post, but have decided to list some good websites that already do a decent job in this. The following sites are well worth looking at for in-congruency:

http://www.bible.ca/mor-contradictions.htm

http://packham.n4m.org/contra.htm

http://www.inplainsite.org/html/inconsistencies.html

The next area to test scripture is that of textual criticism. Textual criticism is a test of any text to see how much of the modern day version is like the original. The process is to take a modern translation and compare it with as many copies as close to the original to see where the text varies. A difference of 5% is a very remarkable variance for any text of antiquity. Most textual critics say it takes a difference of 6% or more to change the meaning of the text.

You can have a small percentage of change without changing the meaning. For example some modern texts of the Bible say that David slew 10,000 and more older texts say he slew 100,000. If you are comparing the two numbers as a math problem you might be thinking that is a huge difference. But in literary context both numbers hold a same meaning. The meaning is he killed a lot of Philistines. It is similar when you were a child and your mother said, “If I told you once I told you a hundred times.” Perhaps she might also have said, “If I told you once I told you a million times.” Both sayings mean the same thing. She has told you a lot of times.

The Bible holds a a 97 to 98 percent textual criticism to original text. That is an amazing number. Compare this to another writing of antiquity, The Iliad and the Odyssey. This book by Homer is studied in college. The text we read today is only 20 to 30 percent of the original according to textual critics.

Now that I have explained the concept of textual criticism and have told you the Bibles percentage. Let us take a look at the Book of Mormon. Since the original writing of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the text has been changed with over 3,000 changes. Some Mormons will like to claim that the changes are minimal and that it is only small changes such as spelling or punctuation. The truth of the matter is with over 3,000 changes in only 190 years the percentage of original text is very low. The changes are more than spelling and punctuation.

The other thing is according to Joseph Smith the translation is perfect as it was given to him. In fact that is one of the arguments of the Mormon church. Their claim is that the Book of Mormon is perfect as given to Joseph Smith and the Bible cannot be trusted because it is not correctly translated. If the Book of Mormon was given to Joseph Smith in a perfect way, then why would the Mormon Church need to change anything. With a little research on your own you can see the many changes in the Book of Mormon. The same also holds true with the other writings of the Mormon faith.

So far we have looked at 4 tests of scripture. Historical Truth, Archeological Truth, Congruency, and Textual Criticism. Next time I will look at the last test, Prophecy. This is in my opinion the strongest test and the most amazing when it comes to the Bible.

The Mormon faith asks that we examine their beliefs. For example Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation 1:188 states, “Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people then he should be exposed ; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an impostor cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried before the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures.”

There are 5 tests of scripture that when compiled will show that the Holy Bible is more than a work of man. I will put the Mormon faith to this test comparing the Bible with the Book of Mormon. The following five areas are the areas I will be looking at:

1. Historical Truth
2. Archaeological Truth
3. Congruency
4. Textual Criticism
5. Prophecy

When we look at the bible to see if it is truly divine in origin and not just another man made myth we can put the scriptures to a test. The end results are very amazing. No other collection of religious writings holds to this test. I will answer the Mormon challenge testing their faith.

First, lets look at the historical truth. This part of the challenge is what amazes me most about Glenn Beck. He truly seems interested in knowing historical truth yet somehow when it comes to historical truth of his own faith, he seems to miss. The Book of Mormon claims to be a history of the Americas pre Columbus. Yet no historian claims the historical information listed in the Book of Mormon as being true. When compared to the Bible this lack of historical truth should be of concern to any Mormon. The bible is full of a rich history which historians have been able to show as true. For example when the Bible mentions events such as the Israelite escape from Egypt, historians agree such an event happened.

The second test of scripture goes hand in hand with the first. The test of archeological evidence. The Bible mentions artifacts such as places, coins, animals, weapons, and many other things. Archaeologists have been able to uncover large amounts of these artifacts showing that the bible is true in archaeological evidence.

When you put the Book of Mormon to the same test it is completely lacking. The Book of Mormon mentions at least 26 major cities. It mentions the use of bronze tools, weapons, and other artifacts made of bronze. It mentions several animals, plants, and even silk. It speaks of a wealth beyond that of Egypt. SO where is the archaeological evidence to support this. When you look at the Book of Mormon through the eyes of an Archeologist you find it void of any proof. For example not a single city as described in the Book of Mormon has ever been found. Nor has any evidence of the wealth of those cities. In the Bible there are coins mentioned dating back thousands of years. Ten’s of thousands of these coins have been found.

The Book of Mormon mentions the use of bronze in tools and in bronze weapons. In order to make such tools and weapons there would need to be a smelt to make the bronze. Such an item would not be easily hidden. Archaeologists find such smelts throughout Europe and Asia, yet not a single one has been found in either North or South America. If bronze tools and weapons have not been found what are the chances of the use of steel. But according to the Book of Mormon steel was also used (1 Nephi 4:9).

The Book of Mormon mentions animals such as the Elephant (Ether 9:19) Horses (Enos 1:21, Alma 18:9, 3 Nephi 3: 1, Nephi 18:25) Donkeys (1 Nephi 18:25, Mosiah 5:14, 12:5) Cattle, Cow, and Oxen (Enos 1:21; 3 Nephi 3:22, 6: 1 Nephi 18:25) Pigs (3 Nephi 7:8)

It also mentions plants such as grain and wheat (Mosiah 9:9; Helaman 11:17) and the use of silk (Alma 4:6, Nephi 13:7, Alma 1:29)

The above mentioned things in the Book of Mormon are lacking completely in Archaeological evidence. There are many attempts by the Mormon church to try and dismiss this lack of evidence. Many Mormon apologists try to do away with this lack of evidence by making claims such as saying that the elephant mentioned in the Book of Mormon was the ancient Mastodon. The problem is, non of the people making such claims have archeological experience. The number one source of Archeology in America is the Smithsonian Institute. Below is what they have to say regarding the Book of Mormon and Archeology:

The Smithsonian Institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and The Book of Mormon.

“The Smithsonian Institution has never used The Book of Mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the New World and the subject matter of the book.”

Next entry I will look at the test of congruency. This test will show how the Book of Mormon is not congruent with the teachings of the Bible or even with the teachings of The Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.

So many people put so much focus on who God is as the Father and who he is as the Son, but when it comes to the Holy Spirit they tend to limit who God is as the Holy Spirit. Too often people refer to the Holy Spirit as “It” and not “Him”. The questions we need to ask are, “Who is the Holy Spirit according to Glenn Beck’s Mormon faith?” and “What does the Christian faith say about who the Holy Spirit is?”

Mormonism:

The Holy Ghost is “a personage of Spirit.” He does not have a body of felsh and bones, like the Father and the Son. (DC, 130:22)

He is “the influence of deity, the light of Christ, or of Truth.” (Smith, GD, p. 60)

He “can only be in one place at one time” although he “emanates from Deity” like “electricity, or the universal ether…which fills the earth and the air, and is everywhere present.” (McCOnkie, MD, pp. 359, 753)

He is a God separate from the other two Gods, The Father and the Son. (MD, p. 270)

Christian:

The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the God Head. Thus being one God existing as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1 tells us the Spirit hoovers over creation.

When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, ever the Spirit of truth,… he shall testify of me. (John 15:26)

Here we see the Spirit is sent to believers. He gives comfort. He testifies of Jesus. These are things that a person does not a thing.

When he comes he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:18)

When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you in all truth. (John 16:13)

The Comforter, who si the Holy Spirit, …he shall teach you all things. (John 14:26)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

Be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 3:16)

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. (Romans 8:9)

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:14-16)

These verses show us that the Spirit is a person. He fills each believer as part of their life. He guides us, he

teaches us, he testifies on our behalf, and he brings us comfort.

Conclusion:

Clearly the Holy Spirit of the Christian faith is not the same Holy Spirit of Mormonism. He is not a God by himself, but rather he is God.

Keep in mind that our faith is only as good as the object upon which it is placed. Over the past few posts I have shown the differences between the god of Mormonism and the God of the Holy Bible. Clearly they are not the same God. Glenn Beck tells us we need to unite in faith praying together to God for the sake of our country. As a Christian we should not have anything to do with joining together in faith with those who do not know the one true God.

The Mormon faith asks that we examine their beliefs. For example Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation 1:188 states, “Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this
world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people then he should be exposed ; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an impostor cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried before the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures.”

Next time I will post some answers to this challenge. I will show that Joseph Smith was a false prophet, that the Book of Mormon is full of errors and contradiction when tried before scriptures. Over the next several posts we will expose the Mormon faith of Glenn Beck and refute it to be false.

The words in the title of this section were quoted from Jesus when He spoke to his disciples. They are words we need to consider as we examine the Faith of Glenn Beck. This post will show the Biblical Christian answer to that question and compare it to the Mormon answer.

Okay, we have seen that their is a difference between the God of Christianity and that of Mormonism. Glenn Beck

stated on one of his broadcasts that he believes that Jesus is God become man to die for our sins. I wonder if he considers Jesus to be the one true God and part of the trinity as described in the Christian faith. Or does he consider Jesus as Mormonism does, as one of the gods but not God. Does he deny the concept of the trinity as his faith Mormonism does? Below is a comparison of the two faiths:

Christian View:

Jesus always existed as God (John 1)

When, as his mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the

Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)

Behold the virgin shall conceive , and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us) Isaiah 7:14)

God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in

the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 1:16)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. (1:18)

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirt of holiness, by resurrection from the dead.

(Romans 1:4)

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain. (1 Corinthians 15:17)

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede

for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

This same Jesus …shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven. (Acts 1:1; John 14:3; 1

Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Jesus of Mormonism:

Among the spirit children of Elohim, the firstborn was and is Jehovah or Jesus Christ, to whom all others are

juniors (Smith, CD, p. 70).

By obedience and devotion He attained to the pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, even in his preexistence state (McConkie, MD, p. 192).

Jesus Christ was the executive in the work of creation, aided by Michael (or Adam), Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses,

Peter, James, John, Joseph Smith, and others (McConkie, MD, p. 169).

He was born of the virgin Mary. Elohim is literally the Father of the Spirit and of Jesus Christ, and also of the body (Talmage, DC, p. 466).

He is essentially greater than all others, by reason of His unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and an immortal, or resurrected and glorified Father.

He died on the cross, rose again, and is coming again in power and glory to set up his kingdom on earth (Talmage,

DC, p. 472).

Conclusion:

The Jesus of Mormonism is not The God of the Universe, but rather a god. He is a spirit child of the god of this world. He was one of many who participated in the work of creation. He was born as a result of the Father having union with Mary.

The one thing that seems to be in agreement is that he died on the cross, rose again, and is coming again… The question is what does it mean that he did this? In other words what reason did he die? What does his dying accomplish?

Before we look at the answers to this question let us look at the comparison of the Holy Spirit. We will look at this next time.