MASTERS OF DECEPTION |
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan
We are living in a day of unparalleled deception. Where untold
millions of unsuspecting people are being deceived each year.
Is this all a happen-chance occurrence? The answer is no, for
amazingly enough it was all predicted thousands of years ago.
Yes, the Bible predicted long ago that an age would come, prior
to the return of Jesus Christ, and unfold exactly as predicted.
What was that prediction? Well we turn to the Gospel of Matthew
and we read in,
Matthew 24:11 (NIV) ".. many false
prophets will appear and deceive many people."
As a result, God has called His Church to be ready to address
these false prophets and their spiritual deceitfulness. In fact,
the Bible command God's children to this,
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) "… Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give
the reason for the hope that you have …"
Today, I want to talk about one of the most deceitful false religions that has captured more than six million people worldwide. A religion that offers eternal life to all who follow it, but in reality is a trap door that leads to an everlasting Hell. Does that sound too strong and ominous? Well after we pause for our second moment of music, I'll return to give you a "answers and a ready defense," to back up this charge and equip you with the ability to discern the errors of their ways…
…On this broadcast, I want to address one of the largest
false teachings to come along in the most recent centuries of
mankind. This body of false teaching can be found in what is popularly
called MORMONISM, or the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints. Yes, practically in every major city in the nation
of our land, one can find a Mormon temple where the followers
of this false religion propagate their faith. Now at the onset
I want to say this. My talk today that will be highly negative
is not a treatise against any individual who may be a follower
of this faith of Mormonism. I readily admit that in this religious
group are many good upstanding and wonderful people and families.
However, that doesn't change the fact that what they may believe
and follow is a nefarious system of false and dangerous lies,
the Bible calls "doctrines or teachings of demons."
What is Mormonism? Well Mormonism is a religion founded upon the
teachings of a man named Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Today Mormonism
is divided in many different sects, but there are mainly two of
them that contain the majority of followers. There is the "Reorganized
Church of Latter Day Saints," founded from those who followed
Joseph Smith's son's leadership, and the other is called "The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," founded upon
the leadership succession of the Mormon apostle, Brigham Young.
This subject of false religions is important because of all false
cults, Mormonism has, I believe, the most manpower and ability
to influence the world to follow its devious and deadly teachings.
The war chest of the LDS as they are often called is perhaps the
richest in the world as it is now a multi-billion dollar business.
Now Mormonism is a relatively new faith that claims divine inspiration.
According to their teachings a young man named Joseph Smith in
the year 1820 allegedly received a vision that became the basis
for the founding of the Mormon Church. Now everyone needs to know
some historical facts surrounding this man. Joseph Smith had a
most troubled life. He was born of parents who were occultists.
Most Mormons do not recognize this factor of origins, yet it cannot
be historically denied. [1]
As a result Joseph Smith's growing up immersed him into the world
of Demonism. The Bible teaches that such immersion can produce
a "hereditary transference and or predisposition of psychic
ability."[2] Indeed, Smith claimed to receive his first
supernatural visitation of "angels," at the age of 14.
In addition to this, Joseph Smith had occult powers along with
many of his early Mormon leaders called the apostles, who together
were involved in occult practices. John Ankerberg and Joseph Weldon,
discerning Christian leaders write in their book , FACTS ON THE
MORMON CHURCH,
"Smith was involved in various occult practices. In 1826
he was arrested, tried and found guilty of fortune-telling in
Bainbridge, New York. Smith employed what is called a "Jupiter
Talisman,"- an amulet supposedly possessing supernatural
powers intended to bring wealth, influence and power to the possessor.
He would also place 'peepstones' or 'seer' stones into a hat,
place his face in the hat and see visions of buried treasure,
lost property, etc."
One can easily see how Smith utilizing these "peepstones,"
which today is simply a variation of the occult practice of crystal
gazing, psychometry and radionics, came upon the founding and
false visions that brought the world the religion of Mormonism.
However, with that background one needs to know what the entire
faith of Mormonism is based on - it is the world of the Occult!
Now what exactly do Mormons believe? Are they just another sect
of Christians? The answer immediately is no the are not Christians
in any sense of the word. You see Mormonism is based on the following
anti-Christian beliefs.
MORMONISM TEACHES EXTRA BIBLICAL REVELATION
Mormons believe that there are four accepted sacred books that
contain the teachings of the faith. These books are the Book of
Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, The
Living Prophets, and the Bible. Now I say this is cultic because
of this very tenet of faith that believes in extra-biblical revelation.
You see although Mormons claim to believe in and trust the Bible,
this is not so. In their own words Mormons state, "We
believe the Bible to be the Word of God in so far as it is translated
correctly."
The Mormons go on to say that the Bible cannot be translated correctly
since the followers of Christianity have corrupted it beyond repair.
Thus, Mormon's must place their faith in the only infallible
book, the Book of Mormon and their other works given to them by
the occultist founder, Joseph Smith. Now were did the book of
Mormon come from? Well, Smith says that in the year 1820, it was
given to him by revelation through an angel named Moroni. This
angel led Smith to discover some lost golden plates that had been
buried for centuries. These plates were an ancient book with writing
that was interpreted by Smith through special glasses the angel
gave him to read it. In this book was the account of an ancient
civilization in America which descended from the Hebrews and to
whom Jesus Christ appeared after His resurrection. Smith also
claimed that the priesthood of Aaron was conferred upon him by
a spirit beings named John the Baptist and later Peter, James
and John, these spirits bestowed upon him the priesthood of Melchizedek.
Amazingly, many people rallied around Smith and his brother Hiram.
These followers left New York state and migrated to Missouri where
Smith was caught burning down a newspaper office that printed
the truth about his false revelations. Smith and his brother were
captured. On June 24, 1844 a mob of 200 angry people stormed the
jail and shot and killed Joseph and Hyram Smith. After that, his
church broke up into two main groups that followed either Smith's
son or the charismatic leader, Brigham Young who later led his
followers to Salt Lake City, Utah where the main body resides
to this today.
MORMONISM TEACHES SALVATION IS BY WORKS
In addition, to following false revelations as the basis of their
faith, Mormons also believe in salvation is by faith in Christ
plus the good works of the Mormon Church. Now it is important
to understand that Mormonism uses Christian terms but uses a different
dictionary to define them. For instance, the name "God,"
refers in Mormonism to millions of self-progressing deities who
formerly were finite masculine creatures as men are today. The
main god Mormons revere is Adam, the progenitor of the human race.
They teach that Adam and one of his wives Eve came to this planet
to propagate his race, and to be the god of their spirit children.
Now when Mormons speak of Jesus Christ they define him to be one
of these self-progressing deities, the first spirit child of Elohim
(Adam) and his wife. Also, they believe Jesus Christ was married
at the wedding in Cana and had many wives. Brigham Young himself
a prophet said: "When the Virgin Mary conceived the child
Jesus …He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is
his father? He is the first of the human family."[3]
Thus, Jesus Christ according to Mormon doctrine is not divine,
but the product of a sex act between Adam god and Mary, hence
not a virgin birth at all! Now additionally, Mormons believe
the following:
MORMONISM TEACHES MAN BECOMES GOD
All men followers of the faith can become gods like Elohim or
Adam god they worship. By faithfully following the Mormon teachings,
they too can evolve to be gods.
MORMONISM TEACHES IT IS THE ONLY TRUE FAITH
Moreover, the Mormon Church believes that they are the only true
faith and followers of God. All others are false and damned.
Mormons believe that God did not create the universe, it always
existed, and Adam's sin was a necessary evil for other men to
be born and have joy.
MORMONISM DENIES THE BLOOD ATONEMENT
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ did not atone for any man's
sin. Please note the following quote from "What Mormons
Think of Jesus Christ," (LDS publication, pp.32-34) Christians
speak often of the blood of Christ and its cleansing power…
it is utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it
is to lose one's salvation."
MORMONISM TEACHES SALVATION AFTER DEATH
Moreover Mormons go on to state they believe that living people
can be baptized for dead people to help them achieve salvation.
This is why Mormons are so fanatical genealogy, the researching
of their family histories - all to find their blood relatives
so they can save them by being baptized for them. You see Mormonism
teaches that from the close of the apostolic age until the "Restoration,"
that is the time Joseph Smith began the true faith in 1820, no
one was saved. Everyone was lost and bound for Hell. "With
one dogmatic assertion," Dr. Walter Martin writes in
his book, the Kingdom of the Cults, "Smith pronounced
everybody wrong, all Christian theology an abomination, and all
professing Christians corrupt" - all in the name of the
god revealed to Smith by special visions and revelations! This
is why Mormons are called the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
Yet my friend, all these beliefs are contrary to the Bible and
the true Christian faith.
CHRISTIANITY TEACHES SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE
You see, Christianity teaches salvation is by faith in Christ
alone, plus nothing. Jesus Christ in the true faith teaches that
He indeed was the God Man, pre-existent as part of the triune
Godhead, but also born miraculously by the creative act of God
the Father. Hence, Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh. The
Bible is clear and states,
John 1:1 (NIV) "In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:14 (NIV) "The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full
of grace and truth."
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) "For it
is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no
one can boast."
CHRISTIANITY TEACHES REVELATION IS CLOSED
What's more, the Bible and the historic Christian faith has always
taught that there is no revelation from God outside the 66 books
of the Bible. Smith's claim to be a latter day prophet and revelator
is bogus and demonic which we have seen proved by his occultic
and psychic abilities. Rather than being in touch with God and
His angels, demons parading as such were guiding him to establish
a false religion to lead millions away from Christ to a lost and
damned eternity! Listen to what the Bible says about this,
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV) "The Spirit
[of God] clearly says that in later times some will abandon the
faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences
have been seared as with a hot iron."
2 John 1:7 (NIV) "Many deceivers,
who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have
gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the
antichrist."
Here you have clear warning. Demons parade as angels of light,
inferring their teachings are from God. They will masquerade
as the elect angels and even godly saints who have died. Smith's
revelations given to him by the supposed angel Moroni, and also
the saints John the Baptist, Peter James and John were really
deceiving spirits bringing to Smith "things taught
by demons." And friend, to prove this point of lying
deceit and ultra corruption, Smith and Mormonism believe that
Jesus Christ is actually the brother of Lucifer or Satan the fallen
angel! This is why Mormons have branded Christ a polygamist, born
from a non-miraculous birth, and despised as the atoning sacrifice
for the sins of the world. Demons hate God, revile God's Son and
teach everything contrary to truth. Yes, Mormonism is a demonic
cult that is dedicated to deceiving the masses and keeping them
from God's loving forgiveness and eternal life.
Now we've seen that objective historical data from within the
Mormon Church proves its false teachings, as well as the Bible
refutes and condemns its beliefs. This bring everyone whose listening
to ask themselves. Have I been duped by this false philosophy
and faith? If so, I've got good news. Everyone can be saved from
every form of sin. God promises to forgive all those who simply
come to Him confessing their sins and asking Jesus Christ the
true and only God and Man to save them. The Bible says salvation
can be found in no one else save Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). If
you haven't claimed Him as your Lord God and Savior today, do
so while you still have time. Those of you who are in the Mormon
faith or looking into it, I plead with you -turn away and turn
to Christ, for the Bible says,
Matthew 24:24 (NIV) "For false
Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs
and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible."
1 John 1:7 (NIV) "But if we walk
in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all
sin."
John 14:6 (NIV) "Jesus answered,
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me."
Acts 16:31 (NIV) ""Believe
in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""
Friend, there is only one faith and one true God. It can alone
be found in many sects but all that confess the historic Christian
faith. Mormonism is a dangerous and deadly faith that deceives
millions. I have spoken up because God commands his shepherds
to identify error and help people to discern the truth. As we
come to the close of the age, we are witnessing a day of unparalleled
deception. May God open many eyes and for those of us who by God's
grace have the truth, may we prayerfully seek to guard our homes
and families from Satan's net, being cast to ensnare the ill-taught,
the unsaved, and the foolishly blinded of this world.
Historically and only recently have Mormons campaigned to be known
as Christians, for recent TV and media advertisements show a decided
push is on, to identify Mormonism as the true Church of Christianity.
I've given you needed information to arm you with the truth and
to discern error, may God so use it in your life and bless you
accordingly.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV) "Now to the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and
glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Here I stand, I can say no more.
END NOTES & REFERENCES:
[1] Tanner and Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism, p.10;Einar Anderson, Inside Story of Mormonism (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1974), p.22
[2] Kurt Koch, Christian Counseling and Occultism, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1972), pp.184-187.
[3] Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2; P.80.
THE FACTS ON THE MORMON CHURCH, Ankerberg, John & Weldon, John; Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. 1971.
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please
write to our speaker, Dennis L.
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