Does Mormonism Attack
Other Religions?
Mormons do not like it when their Church is labeled a
cult by Christians. This bothers them and they want desperately to be accepted as
Christian by the Christian community. The Mormon church spends a great deal of time and
money on public relations with the aim of portraying a loving, family oriented,
non-condemning Christian denomination. But Christians react to this and cite the great
differences in doctrine between Mormons and Christians and continue to pronounce the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a non-Christian cult.
The battle continues and Mormons try to claim that they do
not go around condemning other religions like "anti-Mormons" do. They say they
are forgiving, tolerant, good Christian people who don't have anything against anyone.
They claim they are being more Christ-like.
Their desire for a good image is understandable. But the
question remains. Does the Mormon church condemn other religious systems? The answer is
definitely, "Yes." Let's look at Mormon writers and see what they have said.
Joseph Smith said . . .
(Regarding Joseph Smith's alleged first vision where celestial personages appeared to
him.) . . .) "My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the
sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get
possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood
above me in the light, which of all the sects was right — and which I should join. 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 an abomination in His sight: that those
professors were all corrupt . . ." (Joseph Smith, "History of the Church,
Vol. 1, page 5-6.)
"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," Compiled by
Joseph Fielding Smith, page 270.)
(In questions directed to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. . .)
First -- "Do you believe the Bible?"
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."
Third — "Will everybody be damned, but
Mormons?"
Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and
work righteousness." (Teachings, page 119.)
Brigham Young said. . .
"But He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith jun., who
afterwards became a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join
any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong." (Brigham Young,
"Journal of Discourses," Vol. 2, page 171. - 1855)
John Taylor said . . .
"We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense....Myself and
hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It
is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could
not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth
century."( Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, page 167 - 1858)
"Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in
any nation of Christendom." (J.D.", Vol. 10, page 127. - 1863)
James Talmage said . . .
"A self-suggesting interpretation of history indicates that there has been a great
departure from the way of salvation as laid down by the Savior, a universal apostasy from
the Church of Christ". ("The Articles of Faith," Deseret Book Company,
Salt Lake City, Utah. P. 182.)
Bruce McConkie said . . .
"With the loss of the gospel, the nations of the earth went into a moral eclipse
called the Dark Ages." ("Mormon Doctrine," Bookcraft, Salt Lake City,
Utah, page. 44.)
Joseph Fielding Smith said . . .
"Again, following the death of his apostles, apostasy once more set in, and again
the saving principles and ordinances of the gospel were changed to suit the conveniences
and notions of the people. 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," page 266.)
The Book of Mormon says. . .
"And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the
church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso
belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church which is the
mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1 Nephi 14:10).
"And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of
harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose foundation is
the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence. . ." (1
Nephi. 14:17).
The Doctrine and Covenants says . . .
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness
the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face" (Doctrine
and Covenants, 112:23).
When the Mormon missionaries come to the door and do their
"gospel" presentation, they mention an apostasy and the need for a prophet,
their prophet, to restore the true Teachings of Jesus. Of course, these ‘restored'
teachings are completely false.
Nevertheless, the Mormon church clearly condemns other
religious systems. Those Mormons who complain about poor treatment should familiarize
themselves with their teachers' words.
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