Opinions By COGwriter
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) is considered a cult by most who are Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant. Part of the reason for this is that the LDS accept private revelations of their leaders and books of that the Living Church of God (LCG) and Protestants do not accept as part of the Bible (specifically the Book of Mormon, which is actually a collection of a lot of writings). (Important note: there are several different groups that accept the Book of Mormon, and when this article refers to teachings of the LDS Church, it is normally referring to the group headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah--although most LDS groups also teach the doctrines identified in this article as LDS teachings).
We in the Living Church of God have no problem per se with people who profess the LDS faith, in that we do not consider them to be more of a cult than we would groups such as the Roman Catholics. (Also, since the word cult basically originally meant culture, we do not consider that the true meaning of the word should be disparaging, though most that use it seem to be intending an inappropriate negative remark.)
While we do not agree with the LDS on most points, in general we feel that their family-orientated behaviors, their belief in tithing, and their belief in certain areas of morality tend to agree to the standards that we find in the Bible.
This article is only going to briefly discuss several of the differences. And those differences are sources of doctrine, views of original church history, views on the day of worship, military participation, the location of the Garden of Eden, the ten tribes, New Jerusalem, and the baptism for the dead.
The Book of Doctrines and Covenants
The LDS have a book called the Book of Doctrines and Covenants, which is roughly the equivalent to the Living Magisterium (a combination of Bible and tradition that changes sometimes) that Roman Catholics accept.
In the Book of Doctrines and Covenants its section 108A states:
1.a. "The assembly being duly organized, and after transacting certain business of the church, proceeded to appoint a committee to arrange the items of doctrine of Jesus Christ, for the government in the Church of the Latter Day Saints, which church was organized and commenced his rise on the sixth day of April 1830.
b. "These items are taken from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the revelations which have been given to said church up to this date, or until such arrangement is made (Book of Doctrines and Covenants. First version, 1835; current edition: Price Publishing Co. Independence (MO), 1996, p. 421).
Thus, the LDS accept that a combination of the Bible, other writings, and orally received traditions as the basis for preparing their book on church doctrine. Like the Living Magisterium, the Book of Doctrines and Covenants can be changed if the top leader of the LDS church thinks it should (and I have seen different versions of it).
LCG does not accept the Book of Mormon or LDS prophecies as sources of doctrine. The Living Church of God, for example, teaches:
We believe that if religious people say they "believe" in the God of the Bible, they should really teach and believe what the Bible actually says...Although most western nations profess Christianity, do they get their version of "Christianity" from the Bible, or from human tradition?...it is good to be sure that we understand what the Bible really says—not what people tell us the Bible says. For, if you are careful with this and truly honest, you will find that most of the churches of this world do not really understand the Bible or teach it in this way at all. Most individuals and religious organizations are more concerned with "tradition," and "going along" with what the majority thinks, than they are with genuinely studying and then living by every word of the Bible—with the Old Testament, of course, magnified and interpreted by the New Testament" (Meredith RC. The Bible or Human Tradition? Tomorrow's World. LCG Magazine. September-October 2004).
Some articles of possible interest might be:
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
The Old Testament Canon This article shows from Catholic accepted writings, that the Old Testament used by non-Roman Catholics and non-Orthodox churches is the correct version.
The New Testament Canon - From the Bible Itself This article, shows from the Bible and supporting sources, why the early Church knew which books were part of the Bible and which ones were not.
Original Church
While both the LDS and the LCG teach that they are the original Christian church, they mean it in different ways.
We in the Living Church of God teach that after the death of the Apostle John, the main leadership of the true church was at first in Asia Minor (see article Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome). LCG also teaches that there was an apostasy that was so prevalent that once the apostate church made several deals with the Roman State, it drove the true Church into the wilderness (Revelation 12:6), but that the true, original church, still existed, as they believe that Jesus taught that the true Church could not die out (Matthew 16:18).
The LDS position seems to be that due to apostasy, the original church had a major time gap and had to start over.
Neither group believes that it came out of the Protestant reformation movement.
Here is essentially the LDS view, in the words of an LDS supporter:
In the LDS view, it was through the Prophet Joseph Smith that the Lord restored the original Church of Jesus Christ, including divine priesthood authority, divinely called apostles and prophets, and the pure covenants and ordinances (baptism by immersion and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, for example) that are part of the fullness of the Gospel of Christ...
Latter-day Saints believe that the original Church of Jesus Christ had to be restored by Christ - not just reformed by men. In our view, the reason why a restoration was needed (Acts 3:19) is that a falling away, or apostasy, had occurred (2 Thess. 2:1-3) in which priesthood authority, prophets and apostles, and many important truths had been lost from the original Church (Lindsey J. Mormons and Mormon Beliefs: An Unofficial Introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml 01/24/06).
The LCG would differ greatly with the above, though we do agree that some truths did need to be restored (but those are beliefs that it can show that the original church did in fact possess). And of course, LCG does not accept that any book written past Revelation is inspired as scripture--hence LCG rejects the Book of Mormon as a basis for doctrine.
The LDS position on this matter is similar to that held by the Jehovah's Witnesses (though the Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept additional writings or prophecies quite the way the LDS do). The main LDS website states:
In 1820, as He had done throughout history, Father in Heaven again chose a prophet? to restore the gospel? and the priesthood? to the earth. He called a young man named Joseph Smith, and through him, the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth...
Joseph Smith’s First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth. In subsequent years, Christ restored His priesthood and reorganized His Church. He has continued to reveal truths to His prophets and to restore the blessings that were taken from the earth for a time (Basic Beliefs: The Restoration of the Gospel. http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-restoration-of-truth/the-restoration-of-the-gospel 0811/07).
While the Living Church of God claims to be able to trace its history from Pentecost of circa 31 A.D. to present (this is shown in the article the Churches of Revelation 2 & 3), the LDS do not make a similar claim, as the LDS claim to have been a restart beginning around 1830.
Sabbath or Sunday.
Those in the Living Church of God observe the seventh day Sabbath and not Sunday. The LDS teach Sunday.
While those in LCG will quote a variety of scriptures to prove their point, historically the LDS Church pointed to its Book of Doctrines and Covenants.
This is another area where the LDS is similar to the Roman Catholics. Some of the LDS essentially admit that they go to church on Sunday, based on an understanding that one of their leaders had, as opposed to doing that for strictly biblical reasons. Notice what one LDS offshoot teaches as shown in section 119 (from pages 450 and 453 of my copy of Book of Doctrines and Covenants) from which I will quote below:
Revelation given April 11, 1887, through Joseph Smith III...
7.a. And the Spirit saith further: Inasmuch as there has been much discussion in the past concerning the Sabbath of the Lord, the church is admonished that until further revelation is received, or the quoreums of the church are assembled to decide concerning the law in the church articles and covenants,
b. the saints are called to observe the first day of the week...
Joseph Smith III was the son of the founder of Mormonism who presided over the Missouri-based Community of Christ (formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) not the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--though both groups meet on Sunday.
Notice that Joseph Smith III is saying that the Spirit says that the Sabbath will be first day of the week unless it reveals something further (it did not know then?) or a quorum of the church decides differently. Thus, this really seems to be a doctrine based on tradition. Also, it can probably been inferred that those wanting to keep the seventh day Sabbath appealed to scripture, and to avoid that discussion, Joseph Smith simply says he is doing what the Spirit now wants.
Is that the type of revelation one would receive from a proper Spirit? Recall the Apostle Paul taught:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines (Hebrews 13:8-9 NKJV).
I conclude that the early Mormon church really arbitrarily changed the Sabbath to Sunday and that it believes it has the authority to change it back if it wants to. But it actually teaches that the Sabbath should be kept:
Your Sabbath day behavior is a reflection of your commitment to honor and worship? God. By keeping the Sabbath day holy and going to the Lord’s house to worship Him, you demonstrate your willingness to keep your covenants? with God...
When a community or nation grows careless in its Sabbath activities, its religious life decays, all aspects of life are negatively affected, and the blessings associated with keeping the Sabbath day holy are lost. You should refrain from shopping or participating in other commercial and sporting activities that now commonly desecrate the Sabbath. As you endeavor to make your Sabbath activities compatible with the intent and Spirit of the Lord, your life will be filled with joy and peace...Exodus 20:8–11 (Basic Beliefs: Keep the Sabbath Day Holy. http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-commandments/keep-the-sabbath-day-holy 0811/07).
The Living Church of God teaches:
The Word of God reveals that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord" (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14). It is to be observed from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. It is God’s "sign" between Him and His faithful people—picturing God’s "rest" and reminding us that He is the Creator. It also pictures the Millennium—the coming 1,000-year "rest" when Christ returns as King of kings (Hebrews 4:1-4; Revelation 20:4-6). Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the early Church always observed God’s commanded Sabbath, (Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2), and it will be observed by "all flesh" during Christ’s coming millennial rule over the earth (Isaiah 66:23) (Sabbath. Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. LCG, 2004).
Of course, Exodus 20 teaches that "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God" (Exodus 20:10).
Military Service
Like most of the churches in the world, the LDS Church allows its members to enlist in the military and participate in carnal warfare.
Although there have been some heretics, those in LCG do not participate in carnal warfare.
The following is the official position of the Living Church of God:
MILITARY SERVICE AND WAR
The Living Church of God follows the teaching of Jesus and His Apostles. Jesus said, "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either" (Luke 6:27-29). The Apostle James, brother of Jesus, continued teaching Jesus’ message concerning violence and war (James 4:1-10).
The Church of God has historically considered military service wrong for its members. Records show that from the American Revolution through the two World Wars and subsequent police actions, members of the Church of God have consistently held to conscientious objection against military participation. (Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. Living Church of God).
An article of related interest may be Military Service and the Churches of God.
Location of the Garden of Eden
One unusual teaching that the Mormons have concerns the location of the Garden of Eden.
Here is a what a recent news report states:
Mormons...believe that Jesus had siblings and that after his resurrection, he preached in the Americas. They believe the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Mo., near Kansas City (Do Americans Have Faith In Romney? WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/10/eveningnews/main3156302.shtml).
Yet the Bible, and hence the Living Church of God, teach:
8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it (Genesis 2:8-15, NKJV).
Since the Euphrates river was so-named by the time God had Moses write the above, this would seem to put the Garden of Eden in or near Iraq. And thus, no where near Missouri.
The Ten Lost Tribes
Both the LDS and LCG believe that the "ten lost tribes" of Israel still exist. But there are two differences. The LDS believe that all the tribes essentially are to get together on the American continent, while LCG believes that the USA is essentially one of the tribes (Manasseh), while the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand represent Ephraim.
The LDS specifically teach:
10 We believe in the literal agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent (THE ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541).
We in LCG also do not believe that the ten tribes will build New Jerusalem. LCG believes that God built New Jerusalem, that it is in heaven, that it will come down from heaven, and because it is called NEW Jerusalem, that the center of it will likely be where physical Jerusalem currently is.
The following are the two passages in the New Testament that specifically mention "New Jerusalem" by name:
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name (Revelation 3:12).
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:2-3).
How God Will Call Those That Have Not Yet Been Called
Both the LDS and LCG teach that God has a plan whereby will save many who have not been called. However, how they both teach this is a major difference.
Essentially, the LDS teach that if they can identify dead people and someone will be baptized in their place, that the dead person will be offered salvation in the spirit world. Notice how the official LDS website teaches this:
Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf...
Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.
Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not {condemn} those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.
Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world. The names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church.
The New Testament indicates that baptisms for the dead were done during the time of the Apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:29). This ordinance was restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Gospel Topics. Baptisms for the Dead. 08/11/07. http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.3933737ad2ff28132eb22a86942826a0/?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1ec52f2324d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____).
While the Living Church of God agrees that God is a God of love and will offer salvation to those who did not truly have an understanding of the truth, we also believe that Mormons misunderstand 1 Corinthians 15:29. We believe that people were baptized for the hope of the dead, the resurrection. Furthermore, the LDS have absolutely no proof that people were baptized for other people in the early church. I have yet to see any LDS writing that has proof that early Christians actually felt that they were to be baptized for deceased relatives. This may be why the LDS uses the expression the "New Testament indicates" as there actually is no proof.
Those in LCG, unlike the LDS, keep God's Holy Days and we believe that they reveal God's plan of salvation (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians?). It is a historical fact that days that many now consider to be Jewish were kept by early professors of Christ (Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days?) and have been throughout recorded history (see The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3).
Essentially, we in LCG believe that the Bible is clear that only an elect is being saved now, that not all have been able to be called now, and that after the resurrection, all who never had a true opportunity for salvation, will accept it. And this includes nearly all. no matter whatever their faith was, who ever lived. An article of related interest may be Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis.
An Interesting Commonality: Non-Traditional Christians
There is an area of commonality between the LDS and those in LCG. Our beliefs are not generally acceptable to "traditional Christianity" (professed Christianity based upon tradition).
A recent news article stated:
Mormon defender Card readily agrees...that Mormons do not fit into the Christian category as defined by traditional Christian orthodoxy. However, he argues that Mormons should be considered “nontraditional Christians.”
…He concluded: “Call us ‘nontraditional Christians’ and continue to encourage your communicants not to believe our doctrines. We’ll happily continue to call you ‘traditional Christians’ and teach people why they should believe our doctrines.”
The Mormon defender ended by calling for unity in a world where Christians are persecuted and expressed appreciation that Dr. Mohler affirmed that Mormons should be equally considered for American public offices regardless of theological difference. (Evangelical Theologian: Bottom Line is Mormons are not Christians Christian Post - July 27, 2007 http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070727/28642_Evangelical_Theologian%3A_Bottom_Line_is_Mormons_are_not_Christians.htm).
I feel that the bulk of American evangelicals would have a hard time voting for a Mormon for President (we in the Living Church of God do not vote in presidential elections), though many Mormons, of course, would most likely prefer one of their own.
However, like the Mormons, we in LCG do not mind being called “non-traditional Christians”.
Why?
Because we are convinced that those who claim to be “traditional Christians” are frequently following traditions of men more than the Bible. We in LCG believe that what passes for mainstream Christianity is not biblical.
Three articles of possibly related interest may include:
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Being Separate: What Did Herbert Armstrong and the Bible Teach About Where Not to Fellowship? Some believe that it is acceptable to attend groups called COG, but who are not actually. What did HWA and the Bible teach about this.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority.
Conclusion
The Living Church of God accepts the Bible as the authority for doctrine, and do not accept later books like the Book of Mormon like the LDS do.
People in both groups have been subject to persecutions by "traditional Christians" (some persecutions are mentioned in the article Persecutions by Church and State).
We in LCG believe that we can trace their history from the first Pentecost after Christ was resurrected, while the LDS believe that a spirit gave messages to get their church restarted in 1830.
The LDS accept Sunday mainly for non-scriptural reasons, while those in LCG accept the Sabbath as it was what was observed by the early Christians.
The LDS seem to accept military service and a Missouri location for the Garden of Eden essentially based upon tradition, as opposed to basing doctrine upon what the Bible teaches.
While most of the professing Christian world picks on the Mormons for their added books and revelations, they seem to think this is acceptable if Roman Catholics, Orthodox, or even Protestants do that. If it is wrong for the Mormons, would it not be wrong for others to rely on tradition above the Bible? Does not this type of logic lead to discounting the Bible and putting it on a lower standing than human reasoning?
Anyway, the LDS is another church that claims to be the original one, but who deviates so much from scripture, that it would only be acceptable to those who do not believe that doctrine really is to come from the Bible.
However, we in the Living Church of God love the LDS, as well as those who are part of "traditional Christianity", and expect that nearly all human beings that ever lived will accept God's offer of salvation.
Thiel B. Several Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Living Church of God. www.cogwriter.com/lds.htm 2006/2007/2008 0119