Heart of the Matter: Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity

Show #2 Angels – January 12th, 2009

And I’m your host, Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion..

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Examination of LDS Racism

We ended last year with an examination of LDS racism. I made the statement that most LDS believers over 35 or 40 years of age were taught racist doctrine within the Mormon church. Welcome, Senator Harry Reid. Reid is a first generation member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reid and his wife, who was born to Jewish parents, converted to Mormonism while Reid was a college student. This means he converted right about the time men like Mark E Peterson were spouting unbelievably racist rhetoric about blacks.

So recently a book by journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann called Game Change, which is about the 2008 election, revealed that Mormon Senator Harry Reid privately stated that he believed “Barack Obama was well suited to a presidential run because he is a "light-skinned" African American "with no Negro dialect . . unless he wanted to have one."

Now, I like to try and be fair. It is possible that Senator Reid actually meant this in a sort of pragmatic fashion. I don’t think that would necessarily be racist.

However, however, the man is a believer in the Book of Mormon and in Mormonism, which does teach racist doctrine relative to skin color . . . so, I think it only fair that be considered when trying to discern his intentions.

Side note if necessary: He stated in an interview with Brigham Young University's Daily Universe that "I think it is much easier to be a good member of the Church and a Democrat than a good member of the Church and a Republican." He went on to say that the Democrats' emphasis on helping others, as opposed to what he considers Republican dogma to the contrary, is the reason he's a Democrat. He delivered a speech at BYU to about 20,000 students on October 9, 2007, in which he expressed his opinion that Democratic values mirror Mormon values.

And with that, let’s have a prayer.

Angels in Mormonism and Biblical Christianity

Last week I revealed more of my innate ignorance by saying we were going to talk this week either about apostasy or apostles tonight. But I forgot about an important “A” word that needs to be addressed in the examination between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity… ANGELS.

Angels play a prominent role in the development of Mormonism and are explained and understood in ways that are not Biblical and certainly not embraced by the Christian world. The reason? Joseph plain as day authored “another Gospel,” as spoken of in Galatians 1. Even down to the topic of angels.

Understanding Angels

Why don’t we first look to the Word of God – the Bible – and see what it says about Angels.

The word Angel, in both the Hebrew and Greek, means a "messenger," and it is used to describe any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used, in scripture, to describe an ordinary human messenger.

(Job 1:14; 1st Samuel 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52)

For prophets (Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13)

For priests (Malachi 2:7)

And even human ministers of the New Testament (Revelation 1:20).

The term is also applied to non-human impersonal agents like “pestilence” (2nd Samuel 24:16-17 and 2nd Kings 19:35) and “the wind” (Ps 104:4)

Now remember, the general title of angel does not necessarily denote the heavenly angelic nature in

Understanding the Role and Nature of Angels

Scripture often refers to the office of a messenger for God. Even the pre-incarnate LORD Jehovah is described several times in the Old Testament as an "angel," or "angel of the Lord" due to His appearing in the office of a divine messenger. But tonight, we are going to focus more on the distinct application of the word Angel as it relates to heavenly beings whom God uses to do His will in the heavens and on earth.

Okay, in the Bible God does not say: "In the beginning I created angels in heaven this way, with these attributes, and this is how you relate with them." Because God didn’t do this, Joseph Smith decided he should, which we’ll discuss in a minute. The Bible does, however, provide us with ample incidental details about the subject. This is really important because where the Word of God gives us numerous puzzle pieces that come together in a wonderful picture to those who study it and search, Joseph Smith provided extra-biblical information which people assumed to be true . . . just because he said it.

Anyway, we know from the Bible that heavenly angels have a personal existence. This is plainly implied in such passages as Genesis 16:7,10,11; Judges 13:1-21; Matthew 28:2-5; and Hebrews 1:4. Angels are superior beings and they are very numerous – "Thousand thousands," according to Dan 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22,23. They are also spoken of as having different ranks in dignity and power, according to Zechariah 1:9,11; Daniel 10:13; 12:1; 1st Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9; Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16. We might not be incorrect to liken them to an army, with various ranks and purposes. Based on Hebrews 1:14 they are spirit, but also seem to be constructed in soul like Man, with a mind, will, and emotion.

Interaction of Angels with Humanity

Whenever angels come to speak to man it seems they always appear in human form (Genesis 18:2; 19:1,10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10). Now, imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures and created beings (Job 4:18; Matthew 24:36; and 1st Peter 1:12). Therefore, because they are finite creatures they can fall into temptation. And accordingly we read about "fallen angels." Often, in the context of an after-life discussion people will say, "Who wouldn’t accept God when they are dead, if they are standing there looking at Him?" And I always reply, "Look at some of the angels."

Why some angels fell we are wholly ignorant. We do know that based on scripture, they "left their first estate" (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7,9), and that they are "reserved unto judgment" (2nd Peter 2:4). Joseph Smith took the biblical term of "first estate" which is applied to heavenly creations like angels, and applied it to humanity – which is wholly false, corrupt, and unoriginal as the notion thrived among Greek mythology.

Characteristics of Angels

We know angels never die (Luke 20:36) and they possess superhuman intelligence and power (Mark 13:32; 2nd Thessalonians 1:7; Psalms 103:20). We know their strength is great, which could be a result of not being confined to a physical nature. (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 5:2; 18:21) We also know their activities are described as "marvelous." (Isaiah 6:2-6; Matthew 26:53; Revelation 8:13) Some possible angelic beings are named by their specific category, like seraphs and cherubs, who are winged, or fiery, or that always seem to “stand” or that were created to “worship at the throne of God, saying, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” forever. That’s wild, huh?

Matthew 28:2-7; Revelation 10:1,2 state that their presence on earth is often described as brilliant or magnificent, and they are called "holy" and “elect” in Luke 9:26 and 1st Timothy 5:21. When human beings are redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ scripture says they are "like unto the angels" (Luke 20:36) so it is quite possible human beings will appear as angels in the afterlife in terms of brilliant glory. Of course angels are not ever to be worshipped (Colossians 2:18 and Revelation 19:10).

There are no reports of angelic appearances to man till after the call of Abraham. And then from that time onward there are frequent references to their ministry on earth (Genesis 18; 19; Genesis 24:7,40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear and rebuke idolatry (Judges 2:1-4), they called Gideon (Judges 6:11,12), and consecrated Samson (Judges 13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel on down, the angels appear only in their behalf (1st Kings 19:5; 2nd Kings 6:17; Zechariah 1-6 and Daniel 4:13,23; 10:10,13,20,21). Then Jesus was born. And here we are introduced to what we…

The Ministrations of Angels

It sort of seems like Jesus brought them with Him to earth and they came with their King to do him service while He was here. In connection to Jesus they – predicted his coming in Matthew 1:20 and Luke 1:26-38. Minister to him after He was tempted in the wilderness and while in agony in the garden (Matthew 4:11 and Luke 22:43). They were all around His tomb. They also declared His resurrection and His ascension into Heaven (Matthew 28:2-8; John 20:12,13; Acts 1:10,11).

Since the finished work of Jesus, they now are “ministering spirits” to the “people of God” (Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 18:10; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23). We know that they rejoice over a penitent sinner (Luke 15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Luke 16:22) and they will be the ministers of judgment hereafter on the great day (Matthew 13:39,41,49; 16:27; 24:31) which seems to mean that it will be angels who grasp the hell-bound and cast them into the pit. SCARY.

Guardian Angels and Scriptural Interpretations

Some people believe, like the premise found in films like “It’s a Wonderful Life” that we all have been assigned specific “life-long” guardian angels to protect us. This thinking is taken from Hollywood and a couple passages in scripture like Psalm 34:7 and Matthew 18:10. And while God certainly does employ the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, there is no basis for the personal angel myth and all it tends to do is tempt humans with idolatry in some form or another. So there’s the biblical view.

In summary, angels are a creation of God, superior to human beings in power, might and ability, who govern the affairs of heaven and earth, and the final state of redeemed humanity is said to be “like them.”

Mormonism's View of Angels

Like most biblical Christian beliefs, Joseph Smith took “angels” twisted them up a bit, and made them fit his grand view of man and his eternal progression. Bottom line to angels in Mormonism: They are all human beings in some state of progression or another. They completely discount the biblical idea that angels are a completely different species created in heaven for heavenly purposes. This is illogical to the LDS mind that Man is the end-all of all God created. They seem to forget that God created fleas and microbes and barracudas and grey whales – all beings that will not ever become human. Oh well.

The Inferior State of Angels in Mormon Belief

Adding the LDS view of Man being the center of everything, the LDS also hold to the notion that angels are inferior to Man, whereas the Bible is clear that man is lower than the angels and only through the blood of Jesus will man ever hope to reach their glory.

Inferring the inferior eternal state of angels, listen to what Joseph Smith himself would happen to human beings who did not rise to the top of the Mormon celestial kingdom (by practicing polygamy) as found in their Doctrine and Covenants 132:16-17:

As stated, angelic visitations were foundational to the formation of the Mormonism. Joseph Smith claimed to have been visited by a half a dozen or more “angels” as the LDS define them – men in some state of their pre-existent or heavenly progression. All of them appearing in glorious white light; all of them bringing a message from the throne of an anthropomorphic God.

Now, we can assume one of a couple of things here with Joseph Smith’s claims to having these glorious visitors appear to him. First, he was making it all up. Second, he was telling the truth and he actually did have either all or at least some illuminated visitors, or third, no visitor ever came but he imagined that they had. Many critics take up the claim of the first route – that he was making it all up. That there was never any Angel Moroni, Peter, James, and John, John the Baptist, Nephi, etc. This is possible. Some critics take the third route, believing Joseph was an epileptic or mentally imbalanced and saw visions. Also possible.

But in the context of actual spiritual visitations, I wonder of the second possibility holds the most water – that Joseph Smith was, indeed, actually visited . . . by something claiming to be from heaven. I think this explanation is most reasonable for the following reasons: Joseph and Joseph Smith’s involvement with folk magic. Joseph’s explanation, as found in Doctrine and Covenants, of what to do when

The Influence of Magic and the Occult in Joseph Smith's Life

We have done entire programs on the Smith family's involvement in magic and the occult. Joseph Smith Junior and his father were the most involved. LDS defenders attempt to say Joseph’s connection to magic and the occult were merely the activities of a young man. Not so. Magic elements and the occult played a significant part in Joseph Smith’s founding and even establishing the Mormon faith. If you don’t believe me, go to www.utlm.org for FIRST HAND information. Or read D. Michael Quinn’s, “Early Mormonism and the Magic World View.”

The night the “angel Moroni” visited Joseph Smith was September 21. Joseph had been out seeking for buried treasure using the very seer stone he claims to have used to translate the BOM and had no luck. Why that night? It was the autumnal equinox, the night when all folk-magic people believed messengers would reveal the secret hiding places of buried gold in the earth. And guess who shows up? The angel Moroni. Joseph Smith kept his “peep stone,” his magic parchments, and his Jupiter talismans his whole life. When he was shot dead, they found the Jupiter Talisman on his body. This is occult stuff, my friends.

Doctrine and Covenants 129

Then there is Joseph’s revelation, still found in the LDS scriptures called Doctrine and Covenants 129, that tells about how to greet these visiting spirits. Listen:

SECTION 129 Doctrine and Covenants [One of 4 Mormon books of scripture] Instructions given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, February 9, 1843, making known three grand keys by which the correct nature of ministering angels and spirits may be distinguished. HC 5: 267.

1—3, There are both resurrected and spirit bodies in heaven; 4—9, Keys are given whereby messengers from beyond the veil may be identified.

1 THERE are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—

2 For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

3 Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory.

4 When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.

5 If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand.

6 If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear—

7 Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message.

8 If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.

9 These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.

So . . . here Joseph Smith tells the world, through this “instruction” which Mormons today consider scripture, on how to detect a truthful spirit visitor – offer them your hand! He says angels of heaven will shake your hand because they are resurrected beings and you will feel the grip. Then he says the other heavenly being, the spirit of a just man, will not offer you his hand because “it is contrary to the order of heaven to deceive,” but he will still deliver his message. So you can trust it. Then, he says, the old demon spirits will, because they are demons, try and trick you, and they will offer their hand, but you won’t feel it – and therefore you will know it is a demon!

Angel of Light

Unbelievable! I mean, what stops a demon from delivering his message who also refuses to shake hands?

Finally, the Bible states that Satan himself can appear as an “Angel of Light.” “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an ANGEL OF LIGHT.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

The Book of Mormon, Joseph’s early work that often concurs with the Bible agrees: “The angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil…that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an ANGEL OF LIGHT.” 2 Nephi 9:8-9

And Joseph Smith himself admitted that “ministering angels from Satan had appeared in the church as “angels of Light.” (TPJS page 214 1842) “There have also been ministering angels in the Church which

Examination of Claims on LDS Assertions

All this being said, it is really interesting that in the LDS scripture called the Doctrine and Covenants, in the “Explanatory Introduction,” page one, it reads: “In September, 1823, (remember, which date was the autumnal equinox, the most important day in folklore occult) and at later times, Joseph Smith received visitations from Moroni, an ANGEL OF LIGHT, who revealed the resting place of the ancient record from which The Book of Mormon was afterward translated.”

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The Mormon Strategy: Five Steps

From a blog called the MormonChapbook by a once LDS Mike Thomas. The Mormon has a tried and tested strategy for advancing and defending his faith and once you understand it you need never be impressed by Mormonism again. Here it is in five easy steps. (And yes, for those observant oldies out there, these are the “Five Boys” from the Fry’s Five Boys Chocolate Bar in reverse)

1. Assertion: It begins with the power of assertion, that simple act of “testimony” in which the Mormon earnestly and solemnly declares “I know the church is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God.” There is not a single fact or definable truth, nothing to discuss or inquire after, only the force of blind assertion best illustrated by the words of Boyd K Packer: “It is not an easy thing for us to defend the position that bothers so many others. But, brethren and sisters, never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Never apologise for the sacred doctrines of the kingdom. Never feel inadequate and unsettled because you cannot explain them to the satisfaction of all who might enquire of you. Do not be ill at ease or uncomfortable because you can give little more than your conviction.” (Ensign, April 1988) The Mormon cannot explain, cannot reason or demonstrate, there is no apologetic to convince, his position is indefensible by ordinary means and so he must simply declare that he knows.

2. Suspicion: When someone expresses doubt in the face of such firm yet empty assertion and in the absence of apologetic the Mormon will typically express suspicion as to their motives and what has influenced them; they've surely been got at. Their minds have been poisoned by "enemies of the church!" The curse of the Internet and anti-Mormon literature is invoked to explain the inexplicable. And how clever and insightful of him to spot this threat. To a Mormon reason demands that something is going on or how could anyone reject the force of testimony? “You’ve been talking to Mike Thomas!” Mormons speak about "those who leave the church but can't leave the church alone."

3. Accusation: When the Mormon hears that, far from being simply influenced by forces of opposition, this questioning of his faith is the product of personal research and study he responds with accusation: “You’re an anti-Mormon!” To a Mormon the only possible explanation for doubt is the insidious influence and growth of anti-Mormons. It is unthinkable that Mormonism could be wrong in any respect, ipso facto, the Mormon rests his case.

4. Assassination: As the questions come thick and fast and reason and biblical truth come raining down the Mormon turns to character assassination. Your sources are suspect, you are a dupe, your so-called friends in anti-Mormon ministry are mean and low and you a fool for listening to them. You are twisting the Scripture, quoting it out of context and giving it your own peculiar "interpretation."

5. Remonstration: When all else fails, the Mormon’s last line of defence is loud and whining remonstration, “Its not FAIR!! Why are you persecuting me? Why do you have to build up your faith by tearing down others’? We don't criticize your church."

CONCLUSION Next week . . . Apostasy?

LDS Narrative of Adam and Eve

On last Tuesday's show (January 5, 2010) you discussed some of the problems with the LDS narrative surrounding Adam and Eve. In September 2006, while attending a session in the Jordan River Temple, I came to the following understanding of why LDS doctrines are off base concerning Adam and Eve.

As the LDS version goes, Satan tempts Eve with the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…(Somehow the knowledge of procreation falls under the umbrella of the knowledge of good and evil, but I digress.) Satan tells Eve a lie by enticing her with the ability to become as the gods. She takes the bait and partakes of the fruit. Now her eyes are open and obeys Satan when he commands her to go and get Adam to partake of the fruit. Eve approaches Adam with the fruit and he refuses to partake stating that he has been commanded by "Father" not to partake and that he, Adam, intends to follow all of "Father's" commandments. Eve informs Adam that she has partaken of the fruit, she will be cast out of Eden, and as a result Adam will be left a lone man in the Garden of Eden and therefore he will not be able to obey the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth.

Contrary Doctrines and Misunderstandings

LDS doctrine makes some assertions about the Adam and Eve story that need to be stated in order to understand why the LDS version is folly. LDS doctrine states or implies that Adam and Eve were like innocent children in their "pre-mortal", Garden of Eden existence. Adam and Eve did not have the knowledge necessary to fulfill the multiply and replenish the earth commandment. Transgressing one of the "Father's" laws to fulfill another is part of God's plan for His children. Partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge meant separation from the presence of God (cast out of Eden). Polygamy is an eternal principal.

Examining Key Problems

Problem #1: After partaking the fruit, Eve would have gained the knowledge of the procreation process, yet Eve makes no attempt to explain that she NOW knows how to procreate as a result of eating the forbidden fruit. Why weren't her first words to Adam something like, "Adam, I have good news! You know how we've been sitting around this garden wondering how we are supposed to fulfill the 'multiply and replenish' command? I now know the answer and the answer came by way of eating this fruit!" Instead she uses the very weak approach of "here try some, it's really yummy."

Problem #2: Adam declares that he will not partake of the fruit because he intends to keep all of the "Father's" commandments. Eve reminds Adam that he is also under commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, Eve will be cast out, and Adam will remain a lone man in the Garden of Eden. At this point Adam reasons in his mind (a mind that has no knowledge of procreation process because he has not partaken of the fruit yet) that he will not be able to fulfill the multiply commandment and says he will partake so that man may be. How is Adam able to put 1 and 1 together and come up with 3 when his mind does not YET possess the knowledge to consider such a thing? I assert that Adam and Eve did have the knowledge necessary to multiply and replenish the earth, because God commanded them to do so and Adam, according to what is portrayed in the temple, had the enough knowledge of the procreation process, BEFORE eating the forbidden fruit, to surmise that he must remain with Eve, who is to be cast out of Eden, in order to fulfill the commandment.

Problem #3: The animals were commanded by God to multiply (Genesis 1:21-25). Adam and Eve would have observed the animals in the process of multiplying and the results (offspring) of such acts. The LDS account presupposes that Adam did not inquire of

The Conflict of Adam and Eve's Choices

God the mechanics of procreation upon being given the commandment to multiply and therefore remained in ignorance.

Problem #4: Adam seeing that he was about to lose his ability to fulfill the multiply and replenish command with Eve's ejection from Garden, figures he will transgress one law in order to fulfill another. How did Adam conclude that "multiply and replenish the earth" was of greater value to himself or God than dying? He was told that in the day that he should eat, he shall surely die. If he's "dead", how can he multiply and replenish the earth? If he had the ability to reason that he needed to be with Eve in order to procreate, certainly he had the knowledge to conclude that he would not be able procreate if he died. Why would he not assume Eve would die? Why did he believe she would only be cast out of Eden? Did Adam know that deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. meant separation from God by being cast out of Eden? We don't know what Adam's understanding of "death" was. The expressed consequence for eating the forbidden fruit was death, not being cast out of Eden. As far as we know Adam had no knowledge what awaited him on the other side of eating the forbidden fruit, besides death. Ejection from Eden was something Eve put forward. We don't know where she got the idea. Maybe with her new-found knowledge she was able to see into the future.

Ethical Dilemmas and Sin

What I find intriguing about Problem #4 is the idea that knowingly ending a life (murder/suicide) is the unforgivable sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. in the world of Mormonism even though Alma 24:10-12 states otherwise. If partaking the fruit meant Adam would surely die, then he would be knowingly taking his own life, then he would be committing an unforgivable sin. To Adam this would be a far greater sin than failing to multiply and replenish the earth. Therefore his clear choice would have been to NOT partake of the tree of knowledge.

The Mormon Adam is stupid. Before partaking of the fruit, why didn't Adam seek out "Father" for some divine guidance? He could have approached the "Father" and said, "Eve has done a dumb thing and she is telling me that she is about to be cast out of the Garden. I'm not sure where she got this idea. I know she will die because you said that was the consequence of eating the forbidden fruit. I'll be left alone and I'm not sure what to do." A wise and all-knowing "Heavenly Father" could have introduced the eternal principle of polygamy, the "Father" could have created a new wife for Adam, married them, commanded the new wife not to partake of the fruit, commanded Adam and the sister wife to multiply and replenish the earth, cast Eve out of Eden, and all would have been right with the world again. You see, it's so simple.

The Potential for Pre-Fall Conception

ONE ADDITIONAL "PROOF" that Adam and Eve were able to procreate in their pre-mortal state in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:16 states: "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…" Now my question is this: What "conception" existed BEFORE the fall? God said he would MULTIPLY Eve's sorrow and conception. In mathematics, when you multiply a number by zero the result is zero. So if there was no conception or procreation before the fall, then how could God multiply it after the fall. In other words, there would have had to been a conception ability in Eve for God to multiply, otherwise the word "multiply" is inappropriate for God to use.

I could go into so much more detail on each of these points. My conclusions are that according to the LDS version of the Adam and Eve account, Adam knew about the procreation process BEFORE he partook of the forbidden fruit because he was able to reason that he needed to stay with Eve so that "man might be". Eve was able to conceive (Gen 3:16). God commanded man and woman to multiply and replenish the earth (Gen 1:28). Therefore it is possible that pre-Fall procreation was possible.