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Is the Jesus of the Book of Mormon (the Jesus that Joseph Smith preached) the same Jesus of the Holy Bible? Or is the Jesus of the Book of Mormon “another Jesus?” (II Cor. 11:,4). Does the identity of God, Jesus, and the nature of the gospel of salvation differ between the Mormon scriptures and the Bible? Speaking at the April 2002 General Conference, LDS President, Gordon B. Hinckley stated:
“As a church, we have critics--many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some substance to what they say. Our faith, our knowledge, is not based on ancient tradition...Our faith, our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet in this dispensation.”
CLICK HERE or HERE TO LISTEN TO HINCKLEY's CONFESSION. The late prophet of the Mormon church, Gordon B. Hinckley, stated that he did not believe in the Christian Christ, he believed in the Christ that Joseph Smith taught. By his own admission, Hinckley has conceded that the “faith” and the “knowledge” of the Mormon church “is not based on ancient tradition”, and therefore his church does “not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity.” The apostle Paul commanded us to “hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle”, and to “withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh... not after the tradition which he received of us.” (II Thess. 2:15; 3:6).
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,” exclaimed the apostle Paul, “or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel [‘another testament’], which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.... For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (II Cor. 11:,4,13-15). “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-9). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (II Tim. 4:3,4). The apostle Peter said, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them” (II Peter 2:1).
In an October 2007 interview Mormon Elder M. Russell Ballard stated that “religious truth is always confirmed by what you feel....”(Transcript of Interview). This is in direct contradiction to the scriptures. Acts chapter 17 says that when the apostle Paul came to Thessalonica he “reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:2). And verse 11 says that the noble Bereans “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 18:4 says, “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 19:8 says, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” Acts 28:23 says, “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” As the Ethiopian eunuch was returning home in his chariot, while reading the book of the prophet Esaias, the apostle Philip met him “and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:28-37). And when Jesus Christ himself confirmed the truth of the scriptures to his disciples he reasoned with them, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27). To confirm the truth of his word God does not give his people a good feeling. God reasons with his people to confirm the truth of his word.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:” (Isaiah 1:18)“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” the apostle Paul warned, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,... proud,... heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (II Tim. 3:1-5) (“the gospel of Christ... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16)). Paul said that “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Rom. 2:16). The Lord Jesus Christ said, “my words,.. the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). And “this Jesus,” exclaimed Paul, “whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:3). “And this is the word”, said Peter, “which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Pet. 1:25). And “this gospel”(Matt. 24:14), “the word which he commanded to a thousand generations”(Psa. 105:8), “the everlasting gospel”(Rev. 14:6), “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;” (Matt. 24:14).
The Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible, “the traditional Christ of Christianity”, is not the Christ in whom the Mormon church believes, as “prophet” and LDS President, Gordon B. Hinckley, stated in no uncertain terms. The apostle Paul said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17).
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Answer:
They all teach (taught) that they are (were) God's “representative” or “anointed” and that you cannot trust nor believe the Holy Bible; and that you must put your faith in their words, theologies, traditions, customs and rituals in order to please God and have everlasting life.
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