From: muehlhau@en.ecn.purdue.edu (John Muehlhausen)
Subject: CHRISTIANITY vs CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 07:09:20 GMT


ATTN:  Mormons and other interested readers
-------------------------------------------

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to reply... This took a tad of
research to prepare.

First of all let me make clear that I am justified in exposing any Mormon
"secrets" simply because the Mormon faith claims to be the only road to
salvation.  Anything which is supposed to be "hush hush" is presented not
simply do divulge sacred traditions which have no bearing on the guts of
Mormon beliefs, but rather to show that these traditions (specifically
Temple activities) have a direct bearing on understaning the Mormon
religion.  Concepts will be presented which are simply not in the book of
Mormon.

Biblical justification (Ephesians 5:6-13):

   "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things
    the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do
    not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now
    you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of
    the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 
    trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  And do not participate
    in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for
    it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them
    in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the
    light, for everything that becomes visible is light."

It has been said that Christians should make their own religion appealing
rather than tear down the claims of others.  In this spirit I will parallel
the claims of Mormonism with Christian beliefs wherever possible.  The 
reason I am focusing on Mormonism is that one will be more likely to
accept the truth when shown just how shaky their current beliefs are.
I will try to avoid stating things dogmatically whenever possible.

My only objective is to show that Mormons are not Christian, and one must
decide between the two.

Mormon information:
   Radio program with Chuck and Dolly Sacket (sp?):
      Chuck active Mormon for 10 years with 9 consecutive Temple recommends:
         Veil worker in an LA Temple, worked in four different Temples
         150+ endowments, 250+ baptisms for the dead, and 1000+ Temple 
          ordinances "under his belt"
      Dolly:
         Genealogical research and participation in Temple ceremonies
      Members of "Ex-Mormons for Jesus"
      Information is 2 years old
      All 24 members of immediate family (four generations) left the Church
       of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints independently
   Personal conversations with fellow employees


Concept of God
--------------

My best understanding of Mormonism is that they believe God was once as we
are now, and still has a bodily form which is limited to being in only
one place at one time.  He lives in a physical reality just like us on a
planet whose name is close to the pronunciation "kolab" (from radio).
He does not dwell in the heart of the believer, nor is He with him at all
times.  He can only be responsible for the creation of the earth, as His
existence is limited by time and space, which excludes these from His
creation. (So how did they come to be?)  He has a wife which he has kept
hidden from us, who once was his wife in a "lone and dreary world" such as
our own.  He rose to His position by being a good believer on the world
where He came from under His "God".  This presents the problem of original
creator.  This cycle is limited by the fact that we know our universe had
a beginning.  What God did that?  Keep in mind that this issue could have
been ignored by Joseph Smith.  Because of His nature he does not have a
personal relationship with each of us.

The Christian God is everywhere and everywhen and knows all that
ever was, is, or will be.  In fact He always was and always will be.
His creation is our reality, complete with space, time, and all that we
know or imagine.  He is a loving God who desires a personal relationship with
each person he has created in His image (and in image only).

The most striking thing about this aspect of Mormonism is that God is made
in man's image, while in Christianity man is made in God's image.  Man
becomes God to save himself instead of God becoming man to save all of us.


Concept of Jesus
----------------

I am still confused as to who Jesus is in the Mormon faith.  A couple of
things are certain though: Jehovah (same person as Jesus?) was with God
during the creation, and he is definitely not the same person as God.
He is not responsible for our salvation.

The Christian Jesus is God as man and died to pay the penalty of death
for us.  "For the wages of sin is death"  He did this because it is
impossible for us to be sin-free.


Concept of the Holy Spirit
--------------------------

The "Holy Ghost" is something that the Mormon receives in the Temple, but
how he/it fits in with the rest of Mormonism is unclear to me.

The Holy Spirit is the third way in which God reveals himself to man
(Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  He is that aspect of God which is always
with us and leading us in our daily walk.


Concept of Heaven
-----------------

There are different levels of heaven in Mormonism.  Someone who rejects
Mormonism goes to "spirit jail", and only Mormons get to where God is
(wherever that is).  In order to get in one must repeat an incantation
learned in their endowment (see below).  How does one go from this to
running his own world?

The Christian Heaven is only described as a place where there will be no
more worldy cares and we will be shown all the mysteries of God's design.
No further description would be possible as it is not even of our reality
and therefore unimaginable.


Concept of Hell
---------------

In Mormonism, Satan and his minions reside in Hell.  No people go to hell
unless they screw up bad in heaven (some say that Satan worshipers go to
hell - or were demons to start with).

The Christian Hell is merely a separation from God.  This is the fate of
those who do not accept the free gift of salvation.  God cannot "keep"
imperfection, so those who were not made perfect through Christ are sent
from his presence.  Because God is with us even now, Hell is at least
worse than the "lone and dreary world".


Concept of Creation
-------------------

The following scenery and dialogue is from part of the Endowment ceremony.
It is from a film that patrons must view.  I am sorry if this is a touchy
issue as far as secrecy is concerned, but it is _very_ relevant.
      
Elohim is pictured as relaying instructions through Jehovah to Michael, who
carries them out and reports.  New instructions are relayed each day until
the job of creation is done.  Michael becomes Adam.  God and Jehovah come
down and put Adam to sleep, then make Eve from his rib.  Adam is instructed
to "be fruitful and multiply", but he is also instructed not to eat of the
infamous tree.  For some reason he must choose between these two, and he
chooses to eat of the tree after Satan convinces Eve to convince him, but it
was all in God's plan.  Adam fell (God's plan) that men might be (no 
reproduction without the fall?), and men are that they might have joy in
ruling their own world.  Adam and Eve are looking for Elohim and Jehovah
to come back, and Satan tells them to hide themselves in leaves (all patrons
don such costume now over Temple clothes).  Jehovah comes and kicks Adam and
Eve out into the "lone and dreary world".  Elohim makes clothing for Adam and
Eve, and the underwear that Mormons wear today is this same garment.
(see below)

In the lone and dreary world, Adam prays "Oh God hear the words of my mouth" 
(x3).  The language that this prayer used to be spoken in could be
translated as above or as "Wonderful Lucifer..." or "Oh false-god..." so it
is now spoken in english.  Nevertheless Lucifer answers this call in the 
movie: "I hear you, what is it you want" (Adam thinks its Elohim).
Adam says he is looking for a messenger from Elohim.  Lucifer brings what
is _obviously_ a 20th century Christian minister.  (BTW Lucifer wears higher
masonic garb w/emblems of power.)  Satan then asks if the preacher has been
to school for the ministry - yes.  Satan asks if he preaches orthodox
religion - yes.  Satan (still in disguise) offers to pay the preacher to
teach the patrons.  The following discourse takes place:

Preacher: (to Adam) "Do you believe in a God who is without body parts and 
          passions? who sits on the top of a topless throne? whose center 
          is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere? who fills the 
          universe and yet is so small that he can dwell in your heart? who 
          is surrounded by myriads of beings who have been saved by grace?  
          Not by any act of theirs, but by His good pleasure? Do you believe 
          in this great being?"
Adam:     "No, I cannot comprehend such a being." (Direct attack on
          Christianity because preacher is of Satan)
Preacher: "That's the beauty of it!"
Preacher: "Perhaps you do not believe in the Devil and in that great hell 
          the bottomless pit where there is a lake of fire and brimstone
          into which the wicked are cast, and where they are continually 
          burning but are never consummed."  (Inaccurate description anyway)
Adam:     "I do not not believe in any such place."
       
Peter, James, and John come down to see what is going on and report back to 
Elohim that the Preacher is teaching the precepts of men mingled with
scripture.  Peter, James, and John then cast Satan out of the presence
of Adam and Eve - Satan promises to buy up the rulers and popes, etc. and
rule in blood and horror.

The major consequence of this is that the Christian God is portrayed as
incomprehensible and therefore ridiculous.

For the Christian account read the first part of Genesis.

Concept of Salvation(s)
-----------------------

Mormons are saved by being good Mormons.  There is no guarantee that a 
Mormon will get into highest heaven, but the good ones will.  It is
necessary to go through the Temple ceremonies in order to get ones
secret name and the incantation to be let into highest heaven, so I will
attempt to describe the Endowment process in a moment.  Mormons must
also act as savior to the dead in order to receive salvation.  They do this
by going through baptism and endowment for the dead.  In order for _any_
dead non-Mormon to be saved they must have a living Mormon go through the
ceremonies and be visited by a celestial missionary from highest heaven.
For this reason I will also outline the process of baptizing the dead.
An interesting note is that millions and millions of ceremonies are
performed for the dead, costing mega-bucks, while not nearly as much effort
is put into saving the living.  It boils down to being saved by works.
Jesus is not in the picture.  BTW, tracing genealogies is specifically 
discouraged in the Bible.

The baptisms for the dead are performed in a font supported by 12 lifesize 
oxen which is very beautiful.  Two witnesses, the baptizer, and the patron
being baptized are present.  A Temple does between 100-200 baptisms per
hour.  Spirit encounters are often reported at the baptism of the dead,
but these may be conditioned responses or, more likely, familiar spirits as
warned against in Isaiah.  The whole Mormon experience is just that: an
experience.  Truths are known by experience and the followers are not
to question anything.  Mormons expect to be greeted in heaven by the dead
they have saved.  After the baptism the dead males are ordained to the 
priesthood and receive the Holy Ghost.

I will now attempt to describe the Endowment process, for it is required
for salvation.  (of the living or the dead)

First the patron removes all of their clothing except for a "shield" which
is a sheet with a hole cut in it that hangs down the front and back with
the sides open.  The worker washes the patron as follows by reaching around
the shield:
   
"Sister Smith, having authority, I wash you preparatory to you receiving your 
anointings [for and in behalf of Sally Jones, who is dead], that you may 
become clean from the blood and sins of this generation, I wash your head 
that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active, your ears that 
you may hear the word of the Lord, your eyes that you may see clearly and 
discern between truth and error, your nose that you may smell, your lips 
that you may never speak guile, your neck that it may bear up your head 
properly, your shoulders that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed 
thereon, your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine, 
your breast that it may be the recepticle of pure and virtuous principles,
your vitals and bowels that they may be healthy and strong, and perform 
their proper functions, your arms and hands that they may be strong and weild 
the sword of justice, in defense of truth and virtue, your loins that you 
may be fruitful and multiply and replentish the earth, that you may have joy 
and rejoicing in your posterity, your legs and your feet that you may run 
and not be weary, and walk and not faint."

Two workers then seal the washing, and the patron is led to the next room   
to be anointed (first part):
   
"Sister Smith, having authority I pour this holy annointing oil on your head 
[in behalf of Sally jones, who is dead] and annoint you prepatory to your 
becoming a queen and a priestess unto the most high God, hereafter to rule 
and reign in the house of Israel forever..."  (similar body parts)

The oil is poured on the patrons head and then touched to each part of the
body, after which two workers seal the anointment.

Then the patron is clothed in their holy priesthood underwear:

"Sister Smith, having authority I place this garment upon you [for and in 
behalf of Sally Jones who is dead], which you must wear throughout your life. 
It represents the garment given to Adam when he was found naked in the Garden 
of Eden and is called the Garment of the Holy Priesthood.  Inasmuch as you do 
not defile it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a 
shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you 
have finished your work here on earth.  With this garment I give you a new 
name, which you should always remember, and which you must keep sacred, and 
never reveal, except at a certain place that will be shown you hereafter.  
The name is Rachel."

One interesting note - all the "secret names" of all the males [females] on 
one particular day are the same across the board for all the Temples.  How
can it then have any real significance?  The patrons are led to believe
that their sacred name is theirs only, for they are not allowed to tell
anyone.  Supposedly Elohim calls forth the saved men by their sacred name
and the men call forth their wives by their sacred name on the morning of
the first resurrection.  (Wives tell their husbands their sacred name, so in 
effect the husband is responsible for the wife's salvation.)

The "holy underwear" has a masonic square and compass over each breast:
The square slit reminds the Mormon to keep the vows made in the Temple, and
the compass reminds that all truth is circumscribed into one great whole
and that apetites need to be kept in check.
There is a slit over the navel that reminds the Mormon of the need for bodily
and spiritual nourishment.  The knee slit reminds the Mormon that
"every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ".
In the early days of Mormonism cuts were made while the garment was still
on the individual, actually drawing blood, which sealed the blood oaths
taken later on.  The garment is worn 24 hours a day 365 days a year
but for bathing and other exceptions.  The Mormon must be buried in it, as
we shall soon see.  The "holy underwear" turns into a sort of magic 
talisman which protects one from all types of physical and spiritual 
dangers.  There is "power and magic" in the priesthood markings.
The connection to Babylonian religions is simply that they wore similar
underwear oftentimes to guard against similar things.  They also had secret
markings on them.
 
From here the patron watches the movie above and then goes to receive the
covenants (blood oaths).  I have been told that these are most secret
so I will only outline.  The patron receives the 5 laws, the 4 tokens, and
the 3 signs and penalties.  Of particular interest are the penalties that
go with the signs.

1) Having your throat slit ear to ear and your tongue torn out by the roots.
2) Having your chest cut open and your innards removed and fed to beasts.
3) Having your body cut asunder such that your guts flow out onto the ground.

So much for anyone revealing the secret signs!  There was a time in early
Mormonism where these punishments were actually carried out.

The veil ceremony involves talking to someone who is playing Elohim through
a veil, and doing various signs and things as learned above, and Elohim
gives the patron their key: "health in the navel, marrow in the bone, and the 
power in the priesthood"  Without this one cannot get into highest heaven.
In fact, Joseph Smith himself must sign each person's "papers" in order to
get into highest heaven!  The veil ceremony is supposed to be very close to
the ceremony for getting into heaven, so one must be buried in the holy
underwear.


Christians are saved by accepting Jesus Christ, the son of God, as Savior
and Lord of their lives.  One must realize that all have sinned and fall 
short of the glory of God, and need his free gift of salvation.  If one
truly accepts this simple fact then they will receive the Holy Spirit, and
their life will be characterized by the Fruit of the Spirit because Jesus
_is_ Lord of their life.


Books
-----

The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from reformed Egyptian
plates written by Mormon (and communicated by Moroni?).  Do these plates
still exist, or were they conveniently destroyed.  If they do, has an
independant translation been done?  Have they been dated?  Could the
Book of Mormon have been inspired, but by the wrong side?  The statements
about Joseph Smith's early life were from a booklet that I cannot find at
the moment.  Scratch those statements if you want.

Simply put, there is much more behind the Bible than any other historical
writing as far as credibility is concerned.  We can be sure that we have
at least a _very_ close translation of the original scriptures.  The
Christian God is capable of preserving His word...



Hope this gets some good discussion going!


John M.


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