August 1988 Print

The Catholic Church, from the very moment of her founding by Jesus Christ, has been assailed by various heresies, sects and cults. One of the most destructive and threatening of cults is one that began in modern times; and is hardly one hundred-fifty years old. This is the Mormon Church or, as it is known by the official title, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I hope to explain, in brief and simple terms, why the Mormons cannot be considered a Church, why they cannot be considered Monotheistic, and why they are considered a cult.

We must begin with the fact that Mormons and Catholics speak of God in entirely different terms and beliefs. For the Mormon: God is a physical being in the midst of other physical beings which include numerous other gods. This Mormon god has bodily parts and passions just as you and I. These numerous gods are actually no more than human beings of an exalted nature. This concept also applies to the Trinity with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost all being in human male form with the "parts and passions" applied to all three. As Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, put it: "God (the Father) was once as we are now and is an exalted man." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. VI, p. 4). To speak of God in an entirely spiritual (non-human) way is labeled the product of "false creeds" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 318).

The Mormons see themselves as gods-in-the making, gods without number. There is even a god above the Father of Jesus Christ. In summary, for the Mormon, God is a superman, one among a huge number of gods. Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father by an act of sexual intercourse with a physical god-woman. This Father of Jesus Christ seems also to have had a father and mother. He is called Father because he is the literal physical father of Jesus Christ and of us all, the product of his great sexual energy during a previous existence in a "spirit world." Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are the literal children of the Father engendered through sexual union of which we are also: innumerable spirit children whose purpose is to evolve into a god-state of our own.

This helps us to understand why within the Mormon cult there is no room for God's mystery, His transcended greatness or His spiritual presence in our lives.

In regard to Christ, the Mormons view Jesus as the key to God's plan, but in a very different manner than Catholics. The Mormon belief is that these pre-existent beings of the "spirit-sphere" were in a process of evolution and growth and attended many council meetings where they were instructed and tested. However, the day came when the Father summoned the greatest council of all at which He announced His plan for growth into the god-state. These "spirit-children" were then to go to earth, take bodily form, be tested and have the opportunity by obedience to return to the Eternal Presence. Also, one of the "spirit-children" would be chosen to be the Redeemer and provide eternal atonement. Two volunteers asked for the job: Christ and Lucifer. Christ followed the Father's plan according to the great council, but Lucifer revolted along with one third of the pre-existent spirits. They were cast into Hell. Another third remained unenthusiastic in the battle that followed and are receiving their punishment to this day by being born with black skins (Mormon Doctrine, p. 526).

When speaking of the Holy Ghost the Mormons are ambiguous and speak of the Holy Ghost in different terms as Catholics. The Holy Ghost, for the Mormons, possesses bodily parts and functions because He is one of the Father's "spirit-children". The difference in Mormon thought is that Christ took upon Himself a "body of crude matter" when He entered this earthly existence. The Holy Ghost continues in a body of "matter" that He had in the "spiritual world". However, the emphasis is on the physical nature of the Holy Ghost rather than the spiritual.

The book, Mormon Doctrine, p. 379, explains it: "He (Holy Ghost) can only be in one place at one time, and He does not and cannot transform himself into any other image than that of a man whom He is, though His power and influence can be manifest at one and the same time through all immensity." This is a complete contradiction to basic Christian belief of the Holy Ghost as being "true spirit", a Spirit that sanctifies, protects and guides: the Spirit Consoler. The Holy Ghost of the Mormons is an impersonal force with which God controls all things and who is the Third Being (not person) of the Trinity. Once again, a complete contradiction of the Catholic belief of the Holy Ghost as one in being with the Father as the Nicene Creed states clearly. Without the Catholic belief in the Holy Ghost, the third person of the Holy Trinity becomes empty and without meaning. It is this third person of the Blessed Trinity that descends upon us at our Baptism and is invoked whenever the Sacraments of the Church are administered. Without this personal Sanctifying Grace of the Holy Ghost we cannot experience God and His unselfish gift of Grace in our lives.

Joseph Smith, founder and prophet of Mormonism, gave a very special version of salvation. He explained salvation as the chance for all of us to become as gods in our own right (Mormon Doctrine, p. 575). This all reverts back to that Mormon belief in the "pre-existent spirit world". At the great council, as previously mentioned, the gods and their spirit children made plans for the creation and peopling of this earth. The prize of this god-hood depends completely upon obedience to the laws, doctrines, ordinances and principles carefully outlined in the great council and revealed to the present day by God to the President (Prophet) of the Mormon Church. Training for this quest began in the "pre-existent spirit-world", and after a probationary period, each "spirit-child" receives a mortal body born on earth to be further tested.

A crucial point is that Mormons do not believe in Grace. This is dealt with by finding a two fold purpose in the atonement of Jesus.

1). Jesus' death won a right to resurrection and immortality for all men regardless of the kind of life they may lead. The fate of Jesus' death would have become an inescapable trap if Jesus had not volunteered, during the great council in Heaven, to come to earth and to undergo sacrifice.

2). In contrast to Catholic thought, for a Mormon, man's place before God does not come as a free-gift from God, but as something earned by his own struggle, by his faithfulness to detail of the plan devised in Heaven. There are three levels in this heavenly plan for the soul to experience. There is the Terrestrial level for non-Mormons, the Telestial level for the luke warm Mormon, and Celestial level for the fervent Mormons. Some Mormons who attain the Celestial level will be ministering servants for those who have gone on to the Exalted State and have become gods. This exalted state, once again, depends upon how faithful one is to the plan devised in Heaven at the great council.

It is necessary to point out that the Sons of Perdition (who are the Devil and his followers in the pre-existent spirit world), anyone in league with the Devil, especially apostates (which includes all Catholics) and those who reject the invitation of the Mormon missionaries to join the Mormon faith will be denied immortal reward in one of the three levels of Heaven. It is all according to one's works as to what level will be attained and not according to God's Grace. God-hood is especially dependent upon one's works. How unfortunate that a group that claims to be Christian cannot find credibility in God's gift of Grace.

Since salvation cannot be attained outside the Mormon cult, there is a practice of pious Mormons who are repeatedly baptized for the dead non-Mormons. In this way, the person who did not accept Mormonism in this life will have the chance to accept it in the next and therefore will have the chance to enter the Celestial Kingdom as a ministering servant to those in the exalted god-state.

The Mormons see Salvation as a carefully detailed map from the "pre-existent spirit world." Whereas, Catholics see Salvation as a "Mystery". This "Mystery" is not a puzzle to be solved but, a gift from God that we accept in Faith in order that we may share eternal life with Him. It is by God's Grace that we set out on a spiritual journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mormonism is viewed, by its members, as a "restored church". It is believed that Jesus Christ restored the ancient church of Jerusalem but, it fell away during the Great Apostasy, which Mormons claim took place some time after the death of the Apostles. God then took His church back to Heaven, its place taken by various groups with no credibility (especially Catholics). The church was supposedly restored by Joseph Smith in a revelation. This is not a restoration of the ancient church, but a New World Church based upon the belief that Christ visited the Americas at one point in time. There is also a great emphasis on the on-going revelation received by the Mormon cult. It presumes a revelation for their Prophet or President that no Pope of Rome would ever dare claim. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Caesars of Rome declaring themselves gods. The belief states that all Presidents of the Mormon cult, in fact, receive direct divine revelation and all beliefs and practices of Mormons are based upon these revelations.

The Mormon Temple, the primary one being in Salt Lake City, is a place where only worthy Mormons may enter to perform their Temple ordinances such as baptism for the dead. Marriages are also performed in the Temple. The Temple differs from the Tabernacle, which is primarily an auditorium and is open to everyone. However, the Temple rituals are carefully guarded secrets which no worthy Mormon would dare reveal. It is a fact that all of the rituals which take place in the Temple are based upon the rituals and precepts of Free Masonry. There is even a point in a specific ritual where a man is dressed as a Catholic Priest and is considered the Devil Incarnate.

The greatest threat to Mormonism is the Catholic Church. It is viewed with contempt and fear. There are external signs of brotherhood and good will. This is all a front! The worst possible act for a Mormon would be to embrace the Catholic Faith, for it is the Church of the Devil. This results in ostracism from family and friends. It also subjects a person to discrimination in the work place. One of the greatest accomplishments for a Mormon would be to convert a Catholic to the Mormon cult. This would assure the Mormon a place in the Celestial Kingdom.

The errors of Mormonism are widespread and cannot be ignored. They boast of many converts. This is especially true in the countries of Central and South America where Catholicism is primary, or should be. It is a plague that cannot be ignored as we cannot ignore the threat of Islam which seeks to destroy Christianity. This plague must be fought by the Church and by each and every Catholic. Knowledgeable Catholics who are firm in their Faith can withstand the attacks of the cult. Those who are weak or indifferent run the risk of losing their Faith and the Kingdom of God.