There was a scene from a Star Trek episode in which Captain Kirk addresses a computer that is determined to exterminate the carbon-based life forms under discussion. Kirk poses a question that the computer cannot resolve. Finally, the computer begins repeating the phrase, “More data please. It does not compute. It does not compute….” Kirk’s questions cause the computer to lock up in a never-ending struggle to resolve the logical conflict.

No, don’t think of Mormons as if they are Star Trek aliens. They are not like the Romulans, Klingons or Ferengi.

On the other hand the use of a question can highlight a logical fallacy. It can send the mind into what is called cognitive dissonance, a state of confusion caused by the perception of two conflicting truths. The resolution is found only in the acceptance of one reality and the rejection of the other.

There is a significant problem, however, in using logical arguments with Mormons. They do not decide what is true on the basis of evidence and logic. In the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10:4) an “investigator” is challenged to read the book of Mormon and pray that God will show the truth of it. To a Mormon that proof is in a subjective “burning in the bosom” response to their reading. This is a physical/emotional/spiritual experience. Those Mormons who have experienced it have a stronger resistance to objective evidences.

The Objective Challenge

Though Mormons test truth by feelings Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth President of the LDS church, gave an objective criteria for determining the truth or fallacy of Mormonism. He said in his book Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, page 188,

“Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.

If Joseph Smith was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an impostor cannot be made to harmonize in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures.”

The “accepted standards of measurement” have always been objective. They include the written revelation of God in the Bible, the natural revelation in His creation, and a rational mind that can logically weigh evidences.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to the human heart His words will always be in agreement with those objective evidences. This presents us with the first question to ask of Mormonism.

Concerning The Book of Mormon

1. If you have a “testimony” of the truth of the Book of Mormon how do you know it is not from a “seducing spirit” (see 1 Timothy 4:1)? Would not a “seducing spirit” be seductive, or in other words, feel good?

  • Why rely on a subjective test when the Biblical test of truth claims were always objective (see Isaiah 8:20).
  • Aren’t the scriptures “the accepted standards of measurement” according to Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation (quoted above)?

2. Do you know that the Muslim scripture, the Koran, is not scripture? How do you know? Have you read it and asked God sincerely whether it be true or not? Or, is it not true because it teaches doctrines that are not true? Isn’t that why the Book of Mormon should be tested by the same criteria, the “accepted standards of measurement,” the scriptures (See Isaiah 8:20)?

3. Mormons believe that they can perform proxy baptisms for the dead to permit the dead to progress in the afterlife. This is the reason they collect genealogical information. Celestial marriage is a marriage for time and eternity that is performed in Mormon temples. These two doctrines are considered fundamental in Mormon belief.

Is baptism for the dead and celestial marriage necessary if one is to get closer to God? Why does the Book of Mormon not teach these doctrines in light of Joseph Smith’s statement that “…a man would get closer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book” (See the Introduction in the Book of Mormon).

Doctrine and Covenants 20:9 calls the Book of Mormon, “the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ….” If it is “full” why are these “plain and precious parts” missing? (The expression “plain and precious parts” comes from a Mormon allegation that Christendom deleted “plain and precious parts” from the Bible.)

4. Have any of the coins or cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon ever been discovered by archaeologists? If yes, then which coins? Which cities?

5. Why does the Book of Mormon (Ether 6:5, 11) say it took a “furious” wind 344 days to get the Jaredites barge to America? Given the distance wouldn’t this mean a speed of less than 1 mph?

6. Which is true, the Bible which says Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), or Alma 7:10 in the Book of Mormon which says he was born at Jerusalem?

7. In the Book of Mormon, Jacob 4:1 talks about “the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates” and so his words will be few. But in 4 Nephi 1:6 it says, “And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, and also the fifty and first and second, yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away.”

8. Does Ezekiel 37:15-22 speak about the Book of Mormon, or Israel?

9. Why do the Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic Society say they have found no archaeological support for the Book of Mormon?

10. If you have a “testimony” of the truth of the Book of Mormon how do you know it is not from a “seducing spirit” (see 1 Timothy 4:1)? Would not a “seducing spirit” be seductive, or in other words, feel good?

  • Why rely on a subjective test when the Biblical test of truth claims were always objective?
  • Aren’t the scriptures “the accepted standards of measurement” according to Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, page 188 (quoted above)?

Concerning Joseph Smith

11. Why did Joseph Smith boast of doing a greater work than Jesus? He said in History of the Church, Vol. 6, page 408-409, “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I.” According to Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie in Mormon Doctrine, page 93,94, was this boasting righteous, or  in the arm of flesh?

12. If Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie was correct in saying that a martyr voluntarily surrenders his life then was Joseph Smith a martyr if he shot back at his assailants? The account is contained in History of the Church, Vol. 6, page 618, which says, “When Hyrum fell, Joseph exclaimed, ‘Oh dear, brother Hyrum!’ and opening the door a few inches he discharged his six shooter in the stairway (as stated before), two or three barrels of which missed fire.” (See also History of the Church, Vol. 6, page 620, and Vol. 7, page 102.)

13. Mormons say that Christians persecute them by saying Mormonism is a cult, not Christian, or a false religion. If that is persecution then why do Mormons persecute Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and all other Christian denominations by saying these churches are “all wrong” and their creeds are an “abomination” in the sight of God? (See the Pearl of Great Price (PGP), Joseph Smith – History, 1:9,19).

14. According to the same text above, PGP, Joseph Smith – History, 1:17 God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in this First Vision telling him not to join any of the churches. However, when Brigham Young told the story he said, “The Lord did not come….But He sent His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith, Jun., who afterwards became a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, page 171). There are actually nine differing versions of the vision. Was this the First Vision, or the First Version?

15. Why was no temple built in Jackson County, Missouri if Joseph Smith prophesied one would be built “in this generation” according to Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 84:1,4,5 and 31; and Journal of Discourses (JoD) Vol. 17, page 111. The plot of land on which the temple was to be built is called the Temple Lot and it is vacant. It is owned by one of the LDS splinter groups called the Church of Christ – Temple Lot. What does Deuteronomy 13 and 18 have to say about how to discern true prophets from false prophets?

16. If Joseph Smith was a wine drinker would he be given a temple recommend? Doesn’t the History of the Church indicate that he drank wine? (see Vols. 4:120; 5:380; 6:616; 7:101, and compare Vol. 2:524 with 4:483).

Concerning Authority

Mormons teach that in the pre-existence Lucifer began a war in heaven over the rejection of his plan of salvation. One third of the sons of God sided with Lucifer, one third fought against him, and one third failed to be valiant in the struggle.

Brigham Young said these non-valiant sons of God were cursed from ever holding the Mormon priesthood. So they can be identified they were given the mark of Cain, which Mormons say are the Negro, or dark skinned, features.

This curse was passed down from Cain to his lineage. Among the descendants of Cain were Ham, the Egyptians and Canaanites. According to Mormonism anyone having even one drop of the blood of Cain is forbidden to hold the Mormon priesthood. Related to this, Mormon men are given a patriarchal blessing in which they are told they are of either the tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh, who according to Biblical genealogy have Egyptian blood through their mother.

In 1978 Spencer Kimball supposedly received a revelation from God saying now blacks can hold the priesthood. He didn’t deny that being black was the mark of Cain. In reality one Mormon prophet just contradicted another Mormon prophet.

17. Does Abraham 1:21-27 say that anyone having in their veins the blood of Cain, Ham, and their descendents are cursed from holding the priesthood?

  • If the above is true, then how can a Mormon man hold the Melchisadec priesthood if he is of the tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh since these were the children of Asenath, daughter of Potiperah, the priest of On, an Egyptian and a descendent of Ham (See Genesis 41:45, 50-52).
  • Could Jesus hold the priesthood if Rahab, a Canaanitess and descendent of Ham, was in his genealogy (See Matthew 1:5)?

Concerning Mormon Doctrines

18. Why does the New Testament condemn seeking after genealogies (see 1 Timothy 1:4 and Titus 3:9)?

With all the attention Mormons give to genealogical data for the purpose of religious works they seem to be completely ignorant of this genealogical conflict in their belief system. It is an inconvenient fact that, if known, would cause cognitive dissonance. Ask them about it.

19. In the Mormon doctrine known as the Law of Eternal Progression can a wife progress in the afterlife beyond her husband if her husband is a nominal Mormon?

  • Do Mormon women have free agency just like Mormon men?
  • If a husband chooses not to remove the veil from her face on the  morning of the first resurrection what good has her free agency been?
  • Is there any pressure on a Mormon woman married to a non-Mormon man to convert him or divorce him in favor of marrying a member of the Church?

20. Is murder a sin which is covered by the Blood of Christ (see Doctrines of Salvation, pages 133-135)? Or, must one shed his own blood to atone for murder? What about the murder of Uriah by David, or the Egyptian killed by Moses?

  • Does the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse from “all” sin, or not (1 John 1:7)?

21. Is it true that Mormons believe what Joseph Heinerman said in the Preface to his book Spirit World Manifestations, that “…the inhabitants of the spirit world have received permission to visit their mortal descendants…” and, “…spirit world manifestations and angelic appearances have played and continue to play a major role in the upbuilding of God’s Kingdom in these latter days?” Isn’t this spiritism, and necromancy (see Deuteronomy 18:10-12)?

22. Why does Paul use the word “they” when talking about baptism for the dead instead of “we” or “you” at 1 Corinthians 15:29?

  • What other reference is there in the Bible or Book of Mormon that refers to this doctrine if it is so important in Mormon doctrine?

23. Was Jesus born of a virgin or did God the Father have sex with Mary? (Compare Matthew 1:18-25 with Mormon Doctrine pages 546, 547 and 742, and Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, page 218, and Vol. 8, pages 115 and 211.)

  • According to LDS teaching isn’t Mary one of the spirit children of God the Father? And, if that is so, wouldn’t God be guilty of incest?
  • Is this teaching offensive to you? To whom should you complain? The one who asked this question or the one who teaches this doctrine?

24. Can a deacon be a 12 year old boy according to 1 Timothy 3:8-12?

Concerning God

25. How do we know God has a physical body? Isn’t it because of the appearance of God “face to face” in the Old Testament? Who was it that dealt directly with man after the Fall, Elohim (the Father according to LDS doctrine), or Jehovah (Jesus in LDS doctrine)? If it was Jehovah (Jesus) how could he have appeared in his physical body if he had not yet been born in Bethlehem?

26. Is there more than one God in existence in the Universe? If the glory of God is intelligence why did God say He was unaware of any other Gods besides Himself? (See Isaiah 43:10, 11; 44:6-8, 21, 22; 46:9; and Moses 1:1-6 in the Pearl of Great Price.)

27. Is God unchangeable, or eternally progressing? (Moroni 8:18; 3 Nephi 24:6; Mormon 9:9-12, 19).

28. Wasn’t Lucifer cast out of heaven for desiring to be “like the Most High?” (Isaiah 14:14; 2 Nephi 24:14).

  • Didn’t Satan lie to Eve saying, “Ye shall be as Elohim?” (Genesis 3:5)
  • Aren’t Mormons seeking to be like the Most High, Elohim,  Gods over their own world?
  • If Mormons are seeking the same thing that caused Lucifer and Eve to fall, then will Mormons not also suffer the same judgment given to Satan? (Matthew 25:41; Isaiah 14:15; 1 Nephi 14:3; and 2 Nephi 24:15)
  • Did God say He was a man, or not a man, in these scriptures? (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9)
  • Don’t these verses teach that God was God always, eternally, and therefore He could never have been a man? (Moroni 7:22; 8:18; Mosiah 3:5; and Psalms 90:2)

Concerning Scripture Accuracy

29. Is polygamy an abomination (Jacob 2:23, 24), or a means of justification? (Doctrines and Covenants 132:1)

30. Was Enoch 430 years old when he was translated according to Doctrines and Covenants 107:49?

  • Was Enoch 365 years old when he was translated according to the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 170, and Genesis 5:21-23?

31. Did David Patten go on a mission with eleven others in the Spring of 1839 according to Doctrine and Covenants 114:1, or was he killed in the Fall of 1838 according to the History of the Church, Vol. 3, page 171? Was this prophecy false?

Conclusion

Our desire for the Mormon people is not to confuse, or give them a hard time, but to awaken their critical thinking and prick their conscience to search for the truth. The logical conflict in Mormonism is illustrated above. The founders of Mormonism have created a priesthood for which none of them can qualify. Mormonism’s “gospel” is a vast system of laws and ordinances which are impossible to obey perfectly (Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 3, pages 26, 27). The purpose of this system is to exalt man to godhood. In Christianity the gospel is the good news that God in the Person of Jesus Christ became man and absorbed the full penalty of our sin in Himself. Now if we will put our total faith in Him, and not in ourselves at all, and confess that we are sinners incapable of ever being good enough to be accepted by Him, and repent of our sins, the He will save us. And when He does so Jesus’ perfection is applied to our account and the Holy Spirit is sent to empower us to live victorious over sin. If you have never submitted yourself to God in this way won’t you do it now? He is waiting to receive you.

By David Henke