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Is the RLDS Church Christian?

 

 

 

 

“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

 

                                                                – Book of Mormon[1]

 

 

“For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”        

              – Romans 10:3

 

    From the inception of the Latter Day Saint movement, concerned Christians have been alarmed by what they believed were the heretical teachings of Joseph Smith and his successors. We have, in the preceding chapters, examined the church in the light of seven distinctive traits common to pseudo-Christian cults. Here is a summary of our findings.

 

·        Rejection of Biblical reliability

Biblical Christianity is grounded in the belief that the Bible is the authoritative word of God, all-sufficient for Christian faith and practice. Joseph Smith taught that the ‘plain and precious things’ were removed from the Bible as it passed through the hands of “ignorant translators, careless transcribers, and corrupt priests,” necessitating additional scriptures for this day and time. Thus, the RLDS fits the first trait of a pseudo-Christian group by rejecting the reliability of the Bible. “All scripture [Bible] is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:l6–l7).

 

 

·        False prophet

From the extensive material presented in chapter five, it is clearly evident that Joseph Smith, who may have appeared to be an honest, righteous Christian leader to many of his followers, actually gave numerous false prophecies, was actively involved in the occult and led many of his followers into sexual immorality and illegal activities. The RLDS Church fulfills the second trait of a pseudo-Christian group by adhering to the teachings of Joseph Smith who has been proven to be a false prophet. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:l).

 

·        False teachings concerning God

Joseph Smith’s view of God alternated between monotheism and polytheism during the course of his life. Though he originally promoted belief in one God, as seen in the Book of Mormon, he later taught that a man could progress to become a god, that all gods progress from one degree to another, and that God himself was once a man who progressed to His current exalted state. This fulfills the third trait of a pseudo-Christian group, which is teaching false doctrines concerning God. “This is what the Lord says…I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6-7).

 

·        False teachings concerning salvation

Joseph Smith’s gospel denies the Biblical teaching of the moral depravity of mankind (the sin nature) and disregards the fact that our righteousness—the very best we can do—is as “filthy rags” in God’s sight. Hence, both the institutional church and the restoration branches teach that it is by grace plus works that we are saved. This results in a self-salvation, which RLDS earn by substituting baptism and the laying-on-of-hands for a true born again experience and eliminates the need for Jesus’ finished work on the cross. And so the church becomes their ‘savior’ in place of Christ. The RLDS church thus fulfills trait number four. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

 

·        Non-Biblical “scriptures” 

The RLDS church continues to promote the Inspired Version of the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as divinely inspired scripture. It teaches that these books contain special truths that other Christians do not have. These added ‘truths’ constitute what the church considers to be the fullness of the gospel. Not only do many of the teachings in these books contradict the Bible but they also contradict each other. Because the RLDS belief-system is filtered through Joseph Smith’s contradictory revelations the RLDS are left with a distorted view of the Biblical gospel. Therefore, the RLDS church meets the criteria for the fifth trait of a pseudo-Christian group by utilizing scripture other than the Bible. “Every word of God is flawless…Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar” (Prov. 30:5-6).

 

·        A different Jesus

When the Jesus of the Book of Mormon allegedly visited the American continent after his resurrection, he killed all the unrighteous lost sinners before they had a chance to hear his preaching and accept the gospel. In contrast, the Jesus of the Bible came to “seek and save those which were lost.” Also, the founding event of the Latter Day Saint movement was Joseph Smith’s first vision in which he claimed to see God the Father and Jesus Christ at the same time. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the image of the invisible God! (Col. 1:15). Obviously, the RLDS church believes in a different Jesus than the one portrayed in the Bible, and therefore fulfills the sixth trait as a pseudo-Christian group. “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached…you put up with it easily enough” (2 Cor. 11:4).

 

·        The “one true church” syndrome  

Joseph Smith declared that the Lord gave him power to restore the only true church to the earth in 1830. He claimed this was necessary because there had been a complete apostasy of the early Christian church after the death of Jesus’ apostles, resulting in its removal from the earth. Both the Bible and the history of the Christian church refute this idea. The RLDS church clearly fits the seventh trait of a pseudo Christian group by claiming it is the one true church. “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen” (Eph. 3:21 KJV). 

Christian Leaders Assess the RLDS and Other Mormon Cults

      From the above information it is evident the RLDS church fits the description of a pseudo-Christian cult. This conclusion is not ours alone. Consider what respected Christian Leaders say about the restored gospel of Joseph Smith and the church that he founded.

 

·        “The evidence of both history and theology in New Testament revelation rules out the Reorganized Church as Christian and rightly classifies them as a non-Christian cultic system.” –  Walter Martin[2]

 

·        “An examination of Mormon theology reveals it is a ‘different gospel’ (Gal. l:6-7). Terms often sound right, but most have been redefined.”  – Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministry

 

·        “Like many of the cults, Mormonism admits the inspiration of the Bible but also recognizes additional inspired literature, which plays a more central role in the life of the movement.”  Adrian Rogers, Love Worth Finding Ministries

 

·        “Contrary to Scripture, the Reorganized Church believes that Christianity was completely overrun by apostasy (Matt. 16:18, 1 Tim. 4:1). They also maintain that Joseph Smith was a prophet—that he was sent by God to restore the church; that he had to re-institute the apostolic and prophetic offices, along with the Old Testament priesthoods, and that he also had to convey additional revelation from God (which is what the Book of Mormon is supposed to be)…. Both biblical and historical evidence directly controvert these positions which, of course, makes Christian fellowship with members of the Reorganized Church virtually impossible. Because the division caused by such mistaken beliefs is so severe, we can only classify the Reorganized Church as heretical.” – Hank Hanegraaff, “The Bible Answer Man,” and president of Christian Research Institute[3]

 

·        “Joseph Smith was a charlatan and a false teacher.” – John McArthur, Grace to You Ministry

 

·        “Mormonism in all its forms departs radically from the faith of the New Testament…. Joseph Smith, as well as those who followed him, were actively making up their religion as they went along, and were obligated to change doctrines, change history, and change documents to cover their tracks. Mormonism’s history announces clearly that it is false and should be rejected.” – Chuck Swindoll, Insight for Living Ministry

 

·        “We believe that the characteristics of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are cultic in nature. A cult is any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith. Cults often teach some Christian truth, mixed with error which may be difficult to detect. They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their ‘special revelations’ to the Bible as equally authoritative. They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality ‘by grace through faith alone,’ but practice instead a salvation by works. Some of these groups are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, Scientologists, and others.”  – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

            These well-known Christian leaders agree that it is the aberrant teachings of Joseph Smith that place all factions of Mormonism outside genuine Christianity. 

The RLDS Predicament  

      Like trying to force a piece of a puzzle into the wrong space, the RLDS church is attempting to fit Joseph Smith’s gospel into Biblical Christianity. This is evident in a statement by prophet Grant McMurray concerning his church, “We will articulate a clear and compelling Christ-centered theology of peace and justice, grounded in the scriptures, faith, and tradition of the Restoration movement.”[4] McMurray’s statement goes to the very heart of the RLDS problem: A Christ-centered theology and the Restoration tradition are irreconcilable.

      Author and historian Roger Launius concurs with McMurray that the RLDS church should continue to embrace certain elements from its past.

 

“Even after the demythologization of the Restoration, I believe that there are distinctive points that matter and have value for our modern world…. The 1990s are a decade of decision for the Reorganized Church. Its leaders must decide finally, after a generation of theological reformation and misunderstanding and resultant disruption, what its role in the world of the future is to be and to build a consensus for that role among both the membership and the larger society. At the same time, a complete divorce from the past is impossible and, I believe, undesirable. A new construct of past and present is necessary, one which will enable the Reorganization to define itself and its mission. This redefinition of the Reorganization’s role can meaningfully accent traditional distinctives such as the Book of Mormon, the idea of continuing revelation, and the Zionic quest. What could emerge is a stronger, more dynamic Restoration church.”[5]

 

      Contrary to Launius’s assessment, we submit that the only solution for the RLDS church, if it truly wants to be accepted as a Christian denomination, is to completely divorce itself from its past. Why? Because it is Joseph Smith and his unorthodox teachings including but not limited to 1) the Book of Mormon, 2) continuing revelation and 3) the Zionic quest) that forever separates the RLDS church from true Christianity.

      Many RLDS members, and especially those in the leadership, desire to be accepted by, and involved in, such organizations as ministerial alliances. However, they become frustrated, when rejected by Christian pastors who are aware of Joseph Smith’s heretical teachings. This frustration is evident in the following excerpts from a 1996 editorial in the Saints Herald. The author refers to Christian pastors who opposed RLDS membership in a local ministerial alliance.

 

“Increasingly, RLDS ministers…are confronted by…intolerance and a refusal by some clergy to engage in any kind of dialogue, especially in areas dominated by fundamentalist religions. Compounding the problem is the variety of so-called ‘cult buster’ books, tracts, and videos found in many Christian bookstores. What has happened to diversity, dialogue, open-mindedness, tolerance, respect, and inclusiveness in North America’s religious community? For whatever reason, RLDS ministers attempting to join with others in clergy associations and interfaith alliances can no longer expect to be received with open arms or even inquiring minds…. In addition to an increasingly secular world skeptical of religion, there is a mean-spiritedness in pockets of the Christian community.”[6]      

            It should be remembered that it was RLDS founder Joseph Smith, who declared all protestant ministers ‘corrupt’ and all protestant churches ‘wrong.’ It is ironic that the RLDS church is now trying so desperately to be a part of the larger Christian community which includes the very churches whose creeds Joseph called ‘abominations.’ Though Joseph’s heresies are obvious to biblically literate Christians, RLDS leaders still apparently do not comprehend that it is the distinctive teachings of Joseph Smith that keep their followers from being accepted by the Christian community at large. When his teachings are judged by the objective standard of Christianity, the Bible, they simply do not measure up.

 

“When we examine the institutional church’s move toward a more “Christian” theology and practice, we find that this move is superficial in nature. Although the hierarchy appears to have genuinely abandoned some traditional RLDS distinctives, they have not been replaced with Biblical teachings, but rather with doubt and denial of principles cherished by Biblical Christianity. Instead of transferring its dogmatism from error to truth, the official Reorganization has chosen to abandon dogmatism in favor of [a liberal Protestant mindset], denying nearly all doctrinal absolutes. Into this newly acquired liberal theology the hierarchy has infused a New Age philosophy, with ecology, human diversity (including acceptance of homosexuality) inherent human worth and other prominent New Age themes being aggressively promoted in official RLDS programs and publications. Thus, when we compare the Reorganization, (whether the traditional variety or the liberal variety) with the Bible, the church comes up lacking. Its foundation, its doctrines, and its alleged greater conformity with Christianity all fail to measure up to the Bible’s standards.”[7] 

      To be recognized as a Christian denomination, the RLDS church must acknowledge the fact that Joseph Smith was a false prophet. Then it must renounce the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version as scripture and accept the Bible as its only source of doctrinal authority. It must also reject its fictitious priesthood system and its quest for a mythical Zion. And finally, if the RLDS are to be considered Christian, they must preach the Biblical gospel of grace alone.

Perhaps the RLDS church would benefit by considering the ongoing transformation in the Worldwide Church of God. This organization, founded in 1934 by Herbert W. Armstrong and recognized by mainstream Christianity as a pseudo-Christian cult, is taking the bold step of facing the facts about its past. Church leaders are now embracing the simple gospel as found in the Bible and are making the necessary changes in former church doctrines which were not Biblically sound. Yes, this controversial decision split the church and their income dropped significantly, but Worldwide Church of God members have the security of knowing they are following the will of God as expressed in the Bible, rather than following the teachings of misdirected men. Our hope is that the RLDS church will consider following this courageous example.

 

Conclusion:

 

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1)

 

This verse from Psalms illustrates the foundational problem of the RLDS church. The Lord built His house (church) 2,000 years ago and it still stands today. Joseph Smith came on the religious scene in 1830, bringing a different gospel, a different Jesus and a different spirit (2 Cor.11:1-4). He constructed his house (church) without the Lord as the builder, and consequently from that time until this, both Joseph Smith and his followers have labored in vain, and will continue to labor in vain to establish their elusive goal of  Zion—the kingdom of God on earth.

      The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (I Tim 4:16). Adhering to correct doctrine saves people. Joseph Smith did not adhere to correct doctrine and therefore his ‘gospel’ cannot save. RLDS should earnestly consider the fact that to be sincere, but sincerely wrong in the understanding of the gospel, results in an eternity without God. The RLDS are, for the most part, sincere and zealous in their efforts to spread the “restored gospel” and they sincerely believe they are serving God, but the fact is they are not, for God does not endorse any religion that teaches contrary to truth. 

      Today, the church remains in a state of flux, as its leaders continue to hold on to a diluted form of Joseph Smith’s restored gospel with one hand and liberal Protestantism with the other. As a result they are left with what the Bible calls “no gospel at all” (Gal. 1:7).      

      Jesus Christ is the culmination of God’s revelation to man. The message of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection is the central theme of the entire Bible. This good news about Jesus is the true gospel. All cults, by emphasizing their own peculiar doctrines, obscure this profound truth. Sadly, this is what the RLDS church has done.               

      The question was asked at the outset of this book, “Is the RLDS church Christian?” The information that has been presented shows clearly that the restored gospel of the RLDS church  is not the same as the Biblical gospel. Therefore, when the question is asked, “Is the RLDS church Christian?” the answer must be “No.”