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Praying About the Book of Mormon - Is it Biblical?
By Bill McKeever
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." Moroni 10:4 [The Book Of Mormon]
It is indeed a rarity to finish a discussion with a Mormon without being challenged to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Following numerous discussions regarding the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, I have been asked by the zealous Latter-day Saint to forget what I have learned in order to pray about truth. On several occasions I have asked my LDS acquaintance if praying about the book is going to remove all the evidence which clearly shows this book is not from God.
When I refuse to pray about the Book of Mormon's authenticity, I am often accused of not believing in prayer. The truth is, it is because I do believe in the sacredness of prayer that I don't pray about Joseph Smith's 19th century novel. As a committed Christian who believes explicitly in biblical guidance, I see praying over the Book of Mormon as nothing less than sacrilegious. Nowhere does the Bible ever direct the believing Christian to take any religious book and pray about the truthfulness of its contents.
I recall a conversation I had with a sincere Mormon missionary in my home. He told me he knew the Book of Mormon was true and invited me to pray and know this for myself. I asked him when he came to this conclusion. He said the Holy Ghost revealed this to him when he was eight years old. I explained to him that I was amazed at how he could discern when the Holy Ghost was speaking at such a young age. I am sure many would agree that discerning the will of God can be tricky at times for even the most spiritual of adults. Still, I proceeded to ask if his mother believed the Book of Mormon was true. He said yes. In fact, it appeared that just about everyone close to him believed this as well. I then queried, "How do you know it was not your mother's faith in the book that led you to this conclusion and not the Holy Ghost as you presumed?"
Is it not possible that this Mormon's decision could have been based in wanting to be accepted by his peers rather than a genuine experience with the Holy Ghost? On a broader scope, could it be that many people embrace the Book of Mormon because those they love and trust also believe it? If not, what evidence is used to come to such a conclusion other than pure subjective feelings?
In essence, the test of Moroni 10:4 is a no-win situation. The one who is challenged must accept the book as true otherwise his integrity is placed under suspicion. If a person does accept the challenge (albeit unbiblical as it is) and concludes that the Book of Mormon is not of God, it is obvious to the Mormon that the person who prayed Moroni’s prayer either did not have a sincere heart, real intent, or perhaps even their faith in Christ was somehow inadequate. Mormons are convinced that if these three ingredients are used properly the test will yield positive results. Since it is not possible (in their mind) for the book to be wrong, the one who prayed must have done something wrong. To prove my point, ask your Mormon acquaintance if he/she will renounce Joseph Smith and the LDS Church if you were to pray about the Book of Mormon and, as a result, felt that God told you it was not scripture. If they will not agree to this condition they unwittingly confirm the fact that this is not a fool-proof method for determining truth. If it is possible for you to get an erroneous "negative" answer, why is it not possible for them to get an erroneous "positive" answer?
I have even been told that if a testimony of the Book of Mormon is to be gained, the person must want it to be true. This strikes me as odd given the fact that my faith in the Bible did not come in such a manner. In fact, because of the strong message the Bible had for me as a lost sinner, I didn't want the Bible to be true
Of all people, the Christian should know that the heart of man is desperately wicked and cannot be trusted (Jeremiah 17:9). Because we are sinful creatures, we can be swayed by our emotions and sinful desires. To believe something is true merely because we feel it to be so is no guarantee of truth. Therefore, such a test would never be condoned by the Bible. Proverbs 14:12 tells us, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Clearly, God's Word demonstrates that feelings can be deceptive. Because of this, the sincere truth seeker must base his decisions using more objective means.
Does it not make sense that if Satan wants people to believe the Book of Mormon is sacred scripture, he would incorporate an unbiblical method in order to come to such a conclusion? The Bible never says to pray about the matter. Instead, 1 John 4:1 reads, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
Some Mormon missionaries have erroneously told prospective converts that this means we should pray concerning the Book of Mormon. To assume such an interpretation is to ignore the Greek language used by the Apostle John. The word "try" in this verse is the word dok-im-ad-zo which means to examine, prove, or test. When it comes to making a decision of whether or not the Book of Mormon is from God, we are to test what it has to say. If it contradicts what God has already revealed, it fails. The real Holy Spirit will not contradict the Words of the True God. Unfortunately many sincere people fall for this ploy, not heeding the warning set forth by the Apostle John, and have, in essence, "gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon" in an unbiblical manner. It makes perfect sense that the father of lies would employ a false testing standard in order to seduce a person into believing a lie.
Let us look at this from another angle. Ask your LDS friend if it would be proper to pray whether or not it is permissable to commit murder? adultery? theft? "Of course not," they might answer. "Why?" you ask. "Because the Bible already speaks out against such sins." Exactly. God has already given us His revealed will regarding such matters, and therefore no amount of prayer is going to change that fact. No matter how sincere a person may believe otherwise, anyone who claims God gave him permission to murder, steal, or commit adultery only proves to the one familiar with the Bible that this man did not hear from God.
Why should it be any different when it comes to the Book of Mormon? What difference is it to pray concerning the Book of Mormon if the Bible has already spoken out against it? Do you think the all-knowing God of the Bible is so inept and forgetful that He would approve a book and religion which is diametrically opposed to what He has already revealed? Never! In violating the rules of sacred writ, The Book of Mormon, and Mormonism as a whole, meets the criteria of being 'another gospel.' No amount of semantics or prayer will change the matter.
Though I would not go so far as to charge every Mormon missionary with premeditated deception, I will say that it is highly deceptive of the Mormon Church to use the Book of Mormon as a lure to get people to join the LDS Church. Using the Book of Mormon is the classic bait-and-switch. Many people assume that if the Mormon Church promotes the Book of Mormon, it must surely adhere to its teachings. This is not the case. There are numerous passages in the Book of Mormon which contradict modern Mormon thought.
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See also ARE YOU A GOOD PERSON?
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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.
“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).
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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